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I would very much appreciate any advice regarding how to proceed searching for my birth mother and father - I requested, and received, my original birth certificate and adoption decree from the state (Ohio); so I now have my birth parents names, no address listed for birth father, just his first and last name. I have an address in Covington, KY listed for birth mother along with her place of birth, age and full name. The birth certificate listed a hospital in Cincinnati, OH, as place of birth. The court order indicates the adoption was through Catholic Charities.
I was able to find my birth mother's date of birth on a family history page, and now know her parents names. I have not made any progress tacking down any info regarding my birth father. I have searched and do not believe either of my birth parents still live in N. Kentucky or S. Ohio
My current plan is to:
Request my adoption file from Catholic Charities of Southwest Ohio - I am hoping this contains background info regarding my birth parents. I realize Catholic Charities may not cooperate, but hope they do.
Pay one of the search engines for additional info pertaining to searching for my birth parents - one indicated it had a number of public record documents on my birth mom. I am more than willing to spend money on my search, but I do not want to waste money on engines or services that will not be helpful.
Drive to Covington, KY, and check the city directory for the year I was born for info on my birth parents names. If the library there does not have a copy I think I can order one from the Kentucky Historical Soceity. I can also then drive to the street address listed on the birth certificate and see my birth mother's house or apartment building, assuming it is still there and has not been redeveloped.
Any hints or advice will be deeply appreciated. I should maybe also say that I need to do this search myself, but I am grateful for any guidance other searchers can offer. Thanks in advance.
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Hi I wish I could help you out. I contacted the same agency and the woman acted like a total you know what. Anyway, I was wondering if you could help me out. How did you get your original birth certificate? I called Columbus and they told me to call the county and the county told me to call Columbus! I'm basically getting the run around here. Almost tempted to request a new copy of my birth certificate and see if they send it to me by accident. Don't know what else to do. Any advice or help would be appreciated. I don't know if I can be of any help to you. I live in Lima, Ohio.
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First off a disclaimer - I am new at this, don't really know what I am doing, am not a lawyer, and there are more experienced searchers around who can probably give you much better advice, but to start go here:
[url=http://www.odh.ohio.gov/vitalstatistics/legalinfo/adoption.aspx]Adoption Information[/url]
and request your identifying (if pre-1964 adoption) or non-identifying (if post 1964) info. The Ohio Bureau Of Vital Statistics responded to my request within 3 weeks. The only records the State had on me was the original birth certificate and final adoption decree.
I have requested my identifying info from Catholic Charities, and sent in the required fee. I believe I'll receive my indentifying info (I am a pre-1964 adoptee), if I get stonewalled by them I will be polite and persistent, I want the contents of whatever file they have on me. If they do not cooperate I will have to decide if if makes sense to bring legal pressure to bear, I would prefer not to as the last thing I want to do is to have to sue the Archdioceses.
You may try Catholic Charaties again, politely ask that they send you whatever request forms they require - if you get a negative response send a letter, certified mail, return receipt requested, requesting you adoption info.
My adoption was finalized in Hamilton County, and I intend, when I can get a day off, to drive there and request release of my adotion info from the probate court. This may require a lawyer to file a petition, I don't know yet, but you should be able to do the same thing if you know what county your adotion took place in.
I believe you will also find a sub-forum here for Ohio adoptees seeking birth info, some volunteer searchers have access to Ohio birth index rolls, so if you know your date of birth and location one they may be able to give you birth parent info.
Good luck to you, and don't give up.