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Tracing someone who was Adopted

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Charlotte

Charlotte Report 3 Oct 2007 13:27

How can I trace someone who was adopted in the 1920's?

Marilyn

Marilyn Report 3 Oct 2007 13:52

I am not so sure there is much available actually, I think I was told at some point that 'formal adoptions' were not introduced until about 1935, which seems about right as I have a relative who was 'taken-on' when he was a very small child and was formally adopted in 1935 when he was 14/15 yrs. of age. He ended up with the surname of the lady who adopted him formally, he was actually the child of the ladies married sister who had died in 1923. Previous to that I think they were just handed over and their names were changed in lots of cases, therefore very difficult to trace. I know no more than that.

M

Charlotte

Charlotte Report 3 Oct 2007 14:52

Thanks for you help Marilyn! Much appreciated.

Al M

Al M Report 3 Oct 2007 16:38

Formal adoption is only since 1926.

In order to establish whether any records may exist regarding your child born in the 1920s that you believe was adopted, formally or informally, you need to look at what you have so far.

If you think the child was given up by its natural mother / parents shortly after birth, where was the child born would be the big question... Hopefully in an Infirmary or similar where there are records and you can go from there.

Al M

Al M Report 3 Oct 2007 17:04

http://www.lewishamchildren.org.uk/content/view/32/68/

You may find the above report interesting reading if you know little of how adoption worked pre 1926.