Adoption search

[Downton, Wilts]

Hi all,

I am a new user and would appreciate help and advice regarding a search to find my adopted half sister who was born in 1947.   I have been in touch with my local Council (Wiltshire) and they have found her adoption file, however, they will not release any identifying information about her and say that I have to use their approved agency which is PACT.  Is there anyone on this site that would be able to advise me of what my rights are regarding their stipulation or whether I can engage a third party to search for my sister or even whether there is a way for me to obtain identifying information and do the search myself?

Thanking you in anticipation.

Brian

[KGarrad]

Essentially, you have no "rights" to the information, and you MUST go through an approved agency.

Get yourself added to the Adoption Contact Register - and hope that your sister does the same.
see: https://www.gov.uk/adoption-records/accessing-your-birth-records

[Treetotal]

Hi Brian...You could start by looking for details on these websites to find BMDs:

http://www.wiltshirebmd.org.uk/

http://www.freebmd.org.uk/cgi/search.pl

You can search here for living people:

http://www.GenesReunited.co.uk/

Good Luck!

Carol

[shellyesq]

If you haven't done so already, try doing a Google search for her birthdate/year with place of birth and words like adoption or adoptee. 

If all else fails with the paper trail, you may want to look into autosomal DNA testing.  I'm an adoptee, and I found my birthfather's family that way.  As time goes on and more people do DNA testing for searches and general genealogy, many of these brick walls will be broken down that way. 

[AntonyMMM]

You can use another 3rd party, as long as they are an authorised intermediary - other researchers would not be able to get the crucially important new name of your sister.

[ScouseBoy]

Have you considered that she may have retained all her original names, but with the addition of her new surname?

Try obtaining her birth certificate.

[Downton, Wilts]

Hi all, I am new on this site but think it is fantastic.  Thanks for all the useful advice.  Is there an approved list somewhere of agencies that might fulfill the requirements of my local council to do the search instead of their approved agency? Regards.  Brian

[aghadowey]

Here's what they say on the Wiltshire Council website- not sure why you are reluctant to use this method but you could contact them and ask if there are any alternatives-
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/childrenyoungpeople/adoption/adoptionwhathappensafter/adoptionservicesforbirthfamilies.htm

Adoption is a difficult thing for all involved and it's even possible that your half-sister wasn't ever told that she was adopted.

[Treetotal]

You could always try here if you don't want to go through Social Services Adoption route:

http://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/i-need-find-someone

Carol