Adoption Stories from You
Our Facebook Fan Michelle shared this story with us:
I gave my daughter up for adoption when she was born 12 yrs ago. For them (her parents), I did a closed adoption (I was able to pick them but never knew names, location and they didn't know the same about me). The adoption agency got sloppy during the final court hearing and left my name showing on some documents. When she was 6, their/my daughter wanted to meet me. They did a search, went through a lawyer specializing in adoptions and sent me a letter with an open-ended invite. A few months of quiet meetings and I got to meet my miracle. Best thing that ever happened. She's an amazing young lady, raised by 2 wonderful parents and she knows I'm there for her whenever she needs me/has questions.
Barb shared this story with us:
This is a giant step. Being an adopted child and knowing my biological family has been wonderful. Never to replace my "real" family that brought me up and also put up with me. I am blest.
You can share your story on our Facebook page.
ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Starting today anyone over the age of 21 can get a copy of their original birth certificate. This change in state law will help about 250-thousand Illinois adoptees like Margaret Anderson. She actually found her siblings through ancestry.com, but it took 92 years.
Helen Finegan said, "I wish we could have found her sooner, but things work out of the best, we're just glad we found her."
Even if it was a closed adoption, the birth parents names will be included on birth certificates.
There is a form you can fill out requesting that info be kept confidential, but some worry there will be many surprises.
Peggy Franklin from Children’s Home and Aid said, "The shock of having to deal with it, maybe having to tell the rest of their family that they placed their child for adoption 60 on years ago. That might be a family secret that hasn't been talked about in a long time.”
The state includes information on the change in state law in license plate renewal notices. We’ll more closely examine the law and share how a Rockford family reunited after 92 years tonight on the 23 News update at 10.
