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United States


Goal B3: Adoption Research

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Goal B3: Explore adoption records. Vault


Choices



A Learn about adoption records and how to find them.


Summary
  1. History: Learn about the history of adoption and adoption records in the U.S.

    History of Adoption

  2. Terms: Learn about common terms and concepts in adoption and records.

    Adoption Definitions and Terms

  3. Get Started: Get acquainted with adoption research. Consider medical records, home studies, birth certificates for adoption, and court petitions and decrees.

    FMP—Adoption Records and Genealogy

  4. Learn how to handle adoption in your family tree.

    TH—Handling Adoption in the Family Tree - 2019

  5. Here are some additional tips and resources for adoption research.

    Researching Your Adopted Ancestors - 2022

  6. Records: Learn about adoption records and how to find them. This FamilySearch Wiki article covers adoption societies and state-by-state adoption records.

    FS—United States Adoption Research   

Help
  1. Facebook: Visit these Facebook pages for help with adoption research:
  2. Ancestry: Use the Ancestry message board to read or post questions about U.S. adopted ancestors.
  3. FamilySearch Community: Explore the FamilySearch community to read or post questions about U.S. adopted ancestors.
  4. Stack Exchange: Explore adoption research questions in the Genealogy Stack Exchange.
Exercises


B Explore adoption records in more depth.


  1. Learn more about adoption records in this Ancestry video and article.

    AC—Adoption and Genealogy—24:31 - 2012   


    AC—Finding Adoption and Orphanage Records

  2. Tips: Get tips on finding adoption records in this video.

    How to Find Adoption Records if You Need Them—7:49 - 2017   



  3. Birth Parents: Learn about adoption and finding birth parents.

    BYU—Adoption and Finding Birth Parents—52:36 - 2017   



    Adoptee Search and Reunion

  4. Get tips on contacting birth parents or siblings.

    LT—Contacting Your Birth Parent or Siblings

  5. Here are tips for tracing ancestry of the children of unwed mothers.

    DNA Says He's Not the Father - Where to Go Now?

Exercises