Resources To Help Get You Started On Your Reunification Journey
Embarking on the journey to reunite with family, whether as an adoptee or biological parent, can feel overwhelming. Where to start is unclear, and emotions run high. We understand and these resources are here to help.
Think of them as trusted guides on your personal journey of rediscovery. They offer practical advice, valuable resources, and encouragement to ease the search process.
Take a breath and remember, you're not alone. Together, we'll navigate the path to reconnecting with your loved ones, step by step, at no charge to you whatsoever.
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ADOPTION RECORDS
Accessing adoption records varies depending on the Province/Territory. Below are some links providing additional information for each region.
CANADA
American Adoption Congress: Canadian Legislation
Provinces:
1. Alberta: Alberta Post-Adoption Registry
2. British Columbia: British Columbia Adoption Registry
3. Manitoba: Manitoba Post-Adoption Registry
4. New Brunswick: New Brunswick Adoption Records
5. Newfoundland and Labrador: Newfoundland and Labrador Adoption Records
6. Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Adoption Records
7. Ontario: Ontario Adoption Information Registry
8. Prince Edward Island: PEI Adoption Records
9. Quebec: Quebec Adoption Records
10. Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Adoption Records
Territories:
1. Northwest Territories: Northwest Territories Adoption Information
2. Nunavut: Nunavut Adoption Information
3. Yukon: Yukon Adoption Information
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Original Birth Certificate Access in the USA depends on each state. The link below shows the current legislation for each state.
American Adoption Congress: USA
The founder of Adoptee Rights Law Center, Gregory D. Luce, created a fantastic resource for each state.
Select the state you were born In for a direct link to ARLC’s data
States with unrestricted or relatively open access to adoption records:
1. Alaska
2. Kansas
3. Maine
5. Oregon
6. Colorado
7. Delaware
8. New York
9. Connecticut
States with restricted or limited access to adoption records:
1. California
2. Florida
3. Ohio
4. Texas
5. Virginia
States with access to adoption records under certain conditions or with recent changes in access:
1. Alabama
2. Arizona
3. Arkansas
4. Georgia
5. Hawaii
6. Idaho
7. Illinois
8. Indiana
9. Iowa
10. Kentucky
11. Louisiana
12. Maryland
13. Massachusetts
14. Michigan
15. Minnesota
16. Mississippi
17. Missouri
18. Montana
19. Nebraska
20. Nevada
21. New Jersey
22. New Mexico
23. North Carolina
24. North Dakota
25. Oklahoma
26. Pennsylvania
27. Rhode Island
28. South Carolina
29. South Dakota
30. Tennessee
31. Utah
32. Vermont
33. Washington
34. West Virginia
35. Wisconsin
36. Wyoming
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DNA RESOURCES
DNA and ancestry websites are platforms where individuals can explore their genetic heritage, learn about their ancestry, and connect with relatives. Here are some popular DNA and ancestry websites:
AncestryDNA is a service provided by Ancestry.com, one of the largest genealogy companies in the world. It offers DNA testing kits that analyze your genetic ancestry and provide insights into your family history. Users can also build family trees and connect with relatives.
23andMe is a personal genomics and biotechnology company that offers DNA testing kits for ancestry and health information. Their ancestry service provides detailed reports on ethnic composition, ancestry timeline, and DNA relatives.
MyHeritage is a genealogy platform that also offers DNA testing services. Users can discover their ethnic origins, connect with relatives, and build family trees using their DNA results.
FamilyTreeDNA offers a range of DNA testing services for genealogy and ancestry purposes. Their tests can provide insights into ethnic origins, help users find relatives, and explore paternal and maternal lineages.
Living DNA provides DNA testing kits that offer detailed regional ancestry breakdowns, maternal and paternal ancestry information, and the ability to connect with relatives.
GEDmatch is a free online service that allows users to upload their raw DNA data from other testing companies to find matches and explore their genetic ancestry in more depth.
✺ Before choosing a DNA testing service, it's important to consider factors such as the types of reports provided, the size of their DNA database for finding relatives, privacy policies, and the cost of testing kits and ongoing subscriptions. Additionally, it's crucial to understand how your genetic data will be stored and protected. ✺
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FACEBOOK GROUPS
Social media can serve as a valuable resource for adoption information. Individuals can share details about their adoption journey, including information about adopted children or birth parents. In some fortunate cases, those seeking to reunite with adopted family members may also utilize social media platforms, creating opportunities for connections to be made.
These groups can provide support, guidance, and connections for individuals involved in adoption journeys.
ONTARIO Adoptee/Birth Family Finder
Canadian Genealogy Research Group, est. 2013
Ontario Adoptions Adoptees and Birth Families Searching
North American Birth Parent & Adoptee Research Help
Groups are added regularly.
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RAVEN CONTACT
✺ Complimentary Contact ✺
Reaching out to a birth parent or child can stir up lots of feelings. It's a big step filled with excitement, nerves, and uncertainty. At Raven, we get that, and we're here to help.
We're proud to offer a free service where we act as a middle person, making sure nobody feels too pressured.
Our goal is to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible for everyone involved.
We believe in bringing families back together while respecting everyone's decisions. We'll always treat you with kindness and make sure to honour your choices.
If you're thinking about reaching out to a birth parent or child, know that we're here for you.
We'll support you every step of the way with care and understanding, no cost, no strings attached.
Looking for heir tracing/probate genealogical research?
We also offer paid research to locate heirs, build family trees, etc.