Options for Adoptions
If you’re thinking of researching your genealogy and you were adopted, the first question to cross your mind will probably be this: What family do I choose? There are two obvious options, documenting your adoptive family or your birth family.
If you think of genealogy as the study of lineage or pedigree, you may feel compelled to trace your ancestry through your birth parents—who are those genetically related to you. If you think of genealogy as the study of family history, however, you might be more inclined to focus on your adoptive family, who are the family in your current life.
A family tree based on your adoptive family is relatively easy—it is basically no different from other family trees; although as such, it does pose the same challenges as any other genealogical search.
Family Trees and Birth Families
A family tree based on your birth family, in contrast, is likely to be more difficult. Unless it was an open adoption, identifying information on your birth family will not be readily available, and so it will be tough to begin your family tree. The search for birth family and the possible reunion can be a trying and, at times, disappointing experience . It may be that much more rewarding, however, when you do find and learn for the first time about the family of your birth.
It is also important to note that choosing one or the other family isn’t the only option. There is also the possibility of researching both birth and adoptive families. In this case, you will need to make considerations for the sheer volume of research to accomplish—ancestors can quickly amass, even for just one family. In addition, you will still need to go through the challenging process of uncovering your birth family. It is a daunting task, but in a sense this may be the most complete family history that you could make.
In the end, it is vital to decide for yourself what family tree feels the most ‘right’ to you. A genealogical foray is a personal journey requiring time and effort, and it will be most fulfilling if you focus your efforts on what is most essential to you.
Family Tree Research in Adoption
If you decide to research your birth family, and you were in a closed adoption, you will first need to find who your birth parents are. It is helpful to start by gathering what information you can from your adoptive family, such as when and where you were adopted and any documents they may have related to your adoption. From there, you can consult many resources, such as the adoption agency, Mutual Consent Registries, and support groups. There are also articles that streamline the process of searching for birth families.
If/when you find the birth parents, from there it is the same as any other family tree: interviewing, gathering documents, and finding public records. For public records, you may want to find what you can online first, before you start any time-consuming legwork—especially after the grueling task of finding birth parents. You can even choose to use a paid service that will search multiple genealogy databases at once, making your search that much easier.
Adoption doesn’t have to be an insurmountable brick wall. All options are possible—choose what you know will be the most rewarding for you.
