Genealogy: Searching for your
Adoption Roots
Adoption and Genealogy Resources at the State Library of Pennsylvania
Adoption
presents a challenge to genealogical research. By law, Pennsylvania adoption
records are confidential: "All adoption records and other papers shall be
withheld from inspection except upon a court order. The adoptee, who is at
least 18 years of age, or the adoptee's adoptive parents, if the adoptee is
under 18 years of age, may request of the court information concerning the natural
parents that will not reveal their identity. Upon such a request of an adoptee
who is 18 years of age, or the adoptive parents, if the adoptee is under 18
years of age, the court or the agency which placed the adoptee may attempt to
contact the natural parents to obtain their consent to release of their
identity. Information shall only be released about parents that agree to the
disclosure" (23 Pa. C.S.A. 2905).
Further
information about access to adoption records in Pennsylvania is available at 23
Pa.C.S.A. 2905ff.
Guides for Searching
362.734 K686s
Searching for a Piece of my Soul: Searching for a Missing Family
Member or Loved One. (A guide to sources for finding family members
as well as dealing with emotional issues involved with locating the birth
family.)
362.8298 St82Z St8
Birthright: the Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees,
Birthparents, and Adoptive parents. (Advice on how to search for birth parents, having a support
group, and planning for reunion)