Not sure where to start looking

Hi Erin, I was also adopted out of IL and I am looking for around 5 other birth sibs, I am as well having a hard time, Birth moms name was Kathleen, How old are you? and What area of IL are you from? I am Southern IL? Thanks Cat

I wanted to also let you know you can get a copy of your original birth certificate Via IL Vital records, I just filled mine out today and sending it off this week, from what I understand it will have Bparents name on it,, Its the Il Adoption Registry form.

I'm certainly not a pro, but I can suggest some things based on my own searching experience.First, if you can get a copy of your original birth certificate from your state, that would confirm your birth family's last name, as well as likely provide you with first names for your birth parents. That's a good place to start, if you don't already have that info. If you have your sisters' names (or even a last name), you can try searching genaology sites - I had a lot of luck with ancestry.com, but there are other places to look, and most have a free trial period where you can do your searching without paying for the service. Genaologybank.com also came in handy for me. Of course, if your last name at birth was Smith, you're unlikely to find your birth family's needle in the haystack, but a more unique name (first or last) can narrow the field significantly. As can the state where you/they were born - try narrowing the search to MN or MI, as necessary.You can also try a simple Google search of their names, check Facebook, search via LinkedIn...If you've tried all these things and had no success, you might want to see how much the agency will charge for the information they hold. It might give you a more solid step forward, and you can take it from there.Whatever you do, I wish you good luck.

Hello, I suspect Im a bit older than you so the paths might be different, but I can tell you about my very recent search: After years of feeling unprepared for any outcome, I finally came to a point where I thought I could manage both reunion and rejectionҗready for the complex feelings associated with both. It was alarmingly easy once I got started. Id had my birth name and the name of my Җmother for decadesI obtained my court records after both my a-parents died in my early 20גs. I bought a 6 mo subscription to Ancestry.com, ran the name that I had for my b-mother and the town that I was born in through the 1940 census search; found 2 baby girls the right name and age to be my b-mother. I searched both names in death records and found that one died. I then ran the county marriage records and found that the woman I suspected might be my b-mother got married about two years after my birth. I googled that married name and found home and work info. I got and followed good advice from this forum and after about two weeks of deciding-how and waiting for her to return home from her trip, had our first phone call Wed evening. Actual total time devoted to the mechanics of searchingreal time on Ancestry and google, about an hour. Also, wow, Iגve got some anger that the agency that facilitated your adoption wants to charge you for your family info How about involving your state congress person in thatŅick!? Best luck and kind thoughts.

Wow, CherylAnn! While my search time was longer than an hour(!!!), it was the work of not quite a week. I also found it far easier than I'd always feared to find information on my birth mother's family. Of course, if I'd started searching years ago, the Internet would not have been as powerful a tool, and I would not have had such an easy time of it. It's amazing that you had such success so quickly - I wish you all you want from your just-started reunion!I think the point you make about being ready for both reunion and rejection is a good one. There are no guarantees when you start a search. Though I'd broaden it and say it would help if you feel ready for ANY eventuality. I started my search with hope in my heart for a successful reunion. I think I'm prepared to handle a rejection - I have the unqualified support of my husband, the snuggles and kisses of my 3 year old son, caring friends, and a helpful therapist to fall back on. Unfortunately, yesterday, my search led me to my birth mother's obituary. She died 3 years ago. I have to admit I was not prepared for that. The discovery, and the grief and regret I'm now feeling, has rather blindsided me.A glimmer of silver lining: I did find my birth mother's sister, as well as her ex-husband and three daughters. I think your phrase "deciding-how" is a good way to describe what I'm doing now, since I'm figuring out how to now approach not my birth mother, but her sister - who may or may not even know of my existence.This wasn't the conclusion I was hoping for when I began searching this Monday. But it's the situation I've found myself in, and I'm muddling through as best I can...Again, I wish you all you want from your reunion with your birth mother, CherylAnn. And Wesfanemt (and Milasmom), I wish you luck in your searches as well.

Catherine, did you have to pay for the original birth certificate? Do you have a website where I can submit the request? Thanks! spike

Spike,What state are you in? Not all states will release a copy of the original birth certificate. If you were adopted in Illinois like Wesfan and Milasmom above, you can go to the following site and find out about their adoption search registry:[url=http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/vital/adoptbroch.htm]Illinois Vital Records - Adoption Records[/url]This is a link to info on getting a copy of your original birth certificate:[url=http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/vital/non_certified.htm]Illinois Vital Records - Adoption Records[/url]Some other states have similar registries, and I believe some other states will also permit adoptees to access their original birth certificates, but I'm honestly not sure which. If you aren't in Illinois, check with your own state's Department of Vital Records.Good luck to you!

Yes I was born in Chicago. Thanks for the info!

Yes, you do have to pay for the original birth certificate, but it is well worth the money. If I recall, it was about $15.It will have your biological mother's name on it (unless she requested to have it redacted), her address at the time of your birth, and her age. Your birth name will also be on it. If your mother wasn't married at the time, you will likely carry her last name, and your father likely won't be listed.Good luck!

Milasmom2, I was born in Rockford, IL. I'm 35.

Wesfan, if you haven't found it yet, the website for the Illinois adoption registry is [url=http://www.idph.state.il.us/vitalrecords/vital/adoptperson.htm]Illinois Vital Records - Adoption Records[/url] - you sign up, and if there's matching information from another individual, you'll be alerted.Since you were born in IL, you can also request your original birth certificate, which will give you your birth parents' names. The more I think about it, the more I think you might want to see how much the agency will charge for the information they have. If your siblings were scattered, it could be a long, hard search - whatever information the agency has could definitely take you several steps along the way. Sucks that they charge anything at all for it, though... seems to me it's our birthright to know where we come from.