How to trace a child?

[oldmegan]

My friend was forced to give up a baby boy for adoption over 35 years ago, when she was a young teenager. She knows nothing of what happened to him, the name of the family that adopted him, where they lived, nothing at all, even if he is still alive or whether he lives abroad maybe. She obviously knows date and place of birth and the name that she gave him to register his birth. How would she go about looking for him? She did contact one agency, but they want �400 to help, which she doesn't have. Any ideas, please? Many thanks, folks.

[stokeace]

i think the salvation army help people like your friend if she hasnt got the spare cash for an expensive agency.hope this is of some help.............

[dot.hawkes]

http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/adoptions/ad optedchildrenregister/
I just posted this link in another similar question in the genealogy section.

[rabbitdrop]

try NORCAP.....http://www.norcap.org.uk/
I know of a couple of people who have contacted relatives this way. there is a fee - but it's not much (about �30 I think)
good luck

[oldmegan]

Thank you all for your answers. Stokeace, I looked up the Salvation Army website, but apparently they don't deal with adoption, but thanks for the suggestion. Dot.hawkes and rabbitdrop, thanks so much, both of these websites look really useful and we will investigate. The Prophet, I take on board all you have said, of course, you are quite correct that the whole thing needs to be dealt with delicately and with sensitivity. From what she has said, I think my friend is mostly wanting to know that he is OK, had a happy childhood and has grown up to be a decent man, rather than hoping for some sentimental reunion with a view to adding to her present family group. If we get any success I will post again. Thanks everyone!

[JK2]

I traced my son after 38 years but I was lucky because I had a tiny bit of info that enabled me to find him after many years of searching - otherwise it would have been impossible. We have been re-united for nearly 5 years now and are close friends.

However they changed the law last year and made it possible for birth mothers to have contact through a social worker if the adult adopted child agrees.

My friend did this last year. She got herself assigned to a social worker in the town where she now lives and the social worker did the searches and contacted her son. She was then allowed to write to him -via the social worker - and had a reply from him. They then talked on the phone & subsequently met. They have become friends.

I suggest your friend talks to her local social services department as soon as poss. Of course there is no guarantee that the adopted adult will agree to the contact so your friend must be prepared for this.

If you want any more info & I can help, come back with further questions.