English Adoptions

[ostler]

Is there any way to find out about adopted relations in England? I'm in Scotland and pretty sure the protocol is different.

I've got the full name of my ancestor, date of birth, where he was born and his (real) mother's name.

[stanmapstone]

The only records of adoption are those made in the Adopted Children Register on the authority of adoption orders granted by the courts under the provisions of the Adoption Acts of England and Wales from 1927. Any adoption made by private arrangement prior to 1927 would not be recorded.
The 1926 Adoption Act which came into effect in 1927 was the first Act legalising adoptions. Prior to that children were just handed over with mainly a verbal agreement and, at best, a declaration setting out the child's change of identity was drawn up by a solicitor? but it was by no means a legally binding document.
Stan

[ostler]

Just my luck! My granddad was born in 1925. Although, the story goes that he found his adoption papers whilst rummaging?

[ostler]

REVELATION

My granddad was born in 1925 but wasn't adopted until he was 3 years old, suggesting he will be in these records somewhere! As far as I know he was adopted in Newcastle, does anyone know where I can find more info?

[stanmapstone]

The Adopted Children's Register was introduced to maintain a record of all adoptions after I January 1927. The Adopted Children Register is not open to public inspection or search.
Access to Birth / Adoption Records
At 18, an adopted person can apply for a certificate of their original birth registration, via the Access to Birth Records service at the General Register Office.

From 30 December 2005 changes to the law will enable birth relatives to also apply for access to an adopted person’s adoption registration. However Access to Adoption Records for birth relatives must be done via Intermediary Agencies.
http://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/adoptions/

Stan

[ostler]

Thanks.

[cardinal1977]

Does anybody know what is meant by "intermediary agencies"

[stanmapstone]

Intermediary services can only be provided by an Adoption Support Agency such as After Adoption, a Voluntary Adoption Agency or a Local Authority
See http://www.afteradoption.org.uk/page.asp?section=00010001000100030010

Stan

[cardinal1977]

Thank you Stan