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Tracing adopted half sibling

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Polly

Polly Report 4 Jul 2014 15:54

Hello all!
I'm aware this is possibly going to be a fruitless search...
Following the death of my father in January I found out that I have a half brother born in the late 60s. I know the full names of both parents and the Christian name he was presumably registered as. I know the year and month of his birth.
Social media/ search engines give me nothing, but obviously his name probably changed following adoption. I contacted GRO who were unable to find a birth cert for that name in the period I asked. I have contacted the appropriate adoption services but had no reply.
Just wondered where to go next?!
I'm unsure whether to post real names etc here.
Any help/suggestions offered would be gratefully received.
Polly

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it Report 4 Jul 2014 16:01

If you would like to PM me with what you have can take a look

It's odd the GRO can't find any records so maybe some info is wrong somewhere

Ricochet

Ricochet Report 4 Jul 2014 16:02

Don't post on here anything which might invade privacy of living people

Add yourself to the national adoption contact register

If the parents were unmarried, the child would have almost certainly been registered under the mother's surname

Have you looked for the birth yourself?

If you wish to click on my name and send details, I would be willing to look

Kay????

Kay???? Report 4 Jul 2014 16:10

He could have been registered in his mothers surname.,which may have been a maiden or married one,if he was registered in your father surname ,which was allowed if he signed and was present at th registering , if that was the case, it maybe you have got the christian name wrong?

Perhaps the year that you belive it to be is wrong,,,,,if so the GRO will only look at the year you gave.

Polly

Polly Report 4 Jul 2014 16:21

Wow that's really helpful!
Thank you, Shirley and Ricochet you have PM.
I did not realise he would have mother's surname assumed it was usually father...
:-)

Polly

Polly Report 4 Jul 2014 16:23

The GRO do look a year either side...
Think my father was present at registering of birth.

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it Report 4 Jul 2014 16:49

Found it and sent the info by PM

Kay????

Kay???? Report 4 Jul 2014 16:51


Hi Polly,

He may have only been present and not had his name added to the registration,if he wasnt married to the mother.

Have you looked under just the both surnames,right area and year,the christian name could be something different to what you were told or could be remembered or another spelling of it.?

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it

Shirley~I,m getting the hang of it Report 4 Jul 2014 16:57

Kay

I found it under the mums name but was a year later than thought

The page nos of the ref has a small s against it which was the norm then for kiddies that were adopted and indicates only a short version of the birth cert would be issued which wont give any parents info .

The info has been sent by PM

Polly

Polly Report 4 Jul 2014 17:19

Thanks all for help and advice.

Where do I go from here?

Is it worth applying for the birth cert? What advantage does having it In My possessions bring? If indeed it will be issued to me.

I am in the process of adding myself to the adoption contact register and have sent another email to the appropriate county council adoptions services team.

Polly

+++DetEcTive+++

+++DetEcTive+++ Report 4 Jul 2014 17:38

As long as the birth was more than 50 years ago, you can apply for the certificate.

What benefit would it be to you? Well, if the index has a middle initial, it ought to give you the full name. You'll also discover his full date of birth.

The only ones I have in my possession date back to the early 1950's and were replacements for those lost during WW2.
They give the full name, sex, date of birth, Registration District and sub district.
Since the ones from 30 odd years ago are now in their owner's possession, I don't know how they differ!

Kay????

Kay???? Report 4 Jul 2014 17:49

Thats great Shirley.

Polly having the certificate could help if you go though the contacts register,,,they match 100% details of an adoptee that has registered with them.....then inform the adoptee that a match has been found and if they should wish to take it further they are advised to seek a mediator to go though the process of contact,,,,,,if they have since moved since registering, they do not look for them on your behalf they only have the LNA if they havnt been updated of a change..
..You will not be given any details,only that contact was declined if thats the case.

It will cost you £30 to be on the gov contact register and it could never happen that the adoptee has done the same.,,,,,,,it also costs the adoptee I belive now £15,

If they havnt applied for their adoption file,you can ask the appropiate S/Services that you place letter in the file if they ever should.

Polly

Polly Report 15 Jul 2014 12:58

I have registered on the Adoption Contact Register.

Should I also contact the adoption services team for the area that the adoptin took place? Is it still the case that they will put a letter in his file telling him I would like to make contact?

Thanks!