Finding birth family

Question

Is it possible to find birth family using non identifying information? I am from NC, where adoption records are sealed.

Comments

Misty Musco has the right idea with her comment. You should get an auDNA test. Also, you'd be surprised how much information you can get with a sealed birth certificate.

If you go to your state's or birth city's archives, you might be able to find your birth name or your birth surname, like I was able to do for my mother. Her birth certificate post-adoption actually had the same number as pre-adoption, so I went to the New York Public Library (biiiig library in Manhattan!) and went through the books for her birth year and found the numbers under CARRIER, FEMALE. When I found people later, through Ancestry, their getting their DNA tested confirmed they were family and that the name in the book matched the little information we had.

I truly wish you the best of luck. It's difficult, but it's doable.

Answer 1

It surely may be helpful. Your biggest help when you do not have much to go on is DNA. You always can fill out a adoption angels form with your info and request to have one of our adoption angel volunteers help you with the process. To get to the form simply click on the help drop down menu at the top right and it' the first one on the list

Comments

I see that you have done y-dna testing. Have you done a Autosomal DNA test? This will give you matches from both maternal and paternal sides. Many more people take auDNA tests and it includes everyone where as y-dna is just your direct male paternal line.

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I’m waiting on autosomal results

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Excellent. This may give you some answers.

Answer 2

Yes, as an Adoption Angel we want you to request one that is no older than the last 5 years.  So if you have an older one, request a new one.  Why?  because laws change and some of the redacted info then may not be redacted now.  

Each state is different.  But some states will now reveal the names of the parents if they are dead.  I have asked several of the adoptees I am working with to get more updated ones and they have really helped.  

And Misty is right.  Autosomal tests are the ones we use the most for adoptees because it does get you info from both sides of your line and works well for more recent relations which is what you are looking for.

I would as mention that WikiTree has a totally Free project called Adoption Angels that can be accessed at the top of the Help Menu

https://www.wikitree.com/contact/adoption/

We currently have a backlog of cases, so if anyone wants to join the project we are always happy to welcome a new Angel!  We do have experienced Angels who act as mentors to the newer ones.  

I would suggest you fill out the form to get help and get on our list.