Accessing Adoption Records

[MrsS2012]

My friends dad (who passed away when she was a child) was adopted. He never really shared much information about his life and she has been left wondering who his real parents were, if he had siblings etc etc

I always had this fantasy that I would ‘solve’ the mystery and one day present her with the information as a surprise… however I wouldn’t have a clue where to start with this? I don’t think we even have information about his adoptive parents… like I said he did not really talk about his life. He always used to tell her ‘one day I’ll share the information’ but unfortunately he never got the opportunity.

All I know about him is that his name was John Charles Betts. He was born in the 1940s and I think he may have been adopted in the Kings Lynn area of Norfolk. He died in 1996 I think or around that time.

Assuming as well I would have to access his adoption records.. is this something I could do or would it only be available to a family member? As I said I like the idea of figuring this out and surprising my friend with the results but I appreciate I may need to get her involved for access to records?

Any advice on where to start welcome!

[nanny jan]

You might find this useful:

https://www.gov.uk/adoption-records

[MrsS2012]

You might find this useful:

https://www.gov.uk/adoption-records

Thanks I’ll take a look

[ResearchJu]

Was he the John Charles Betts, born 24th or 26th April 1942 and died 1996 in Whitehaven, Cumbria?  Do you know whether Betts was his birth name or adopted name?  Thanks

[MrsS2012]

Hi, yes I think that sounds right for his birthdate and he did die in Cumbria in 1996. Unfortunately I don’t know if Betts was his birth name or his adopted one. He never really discussed it with his family, he just said he was adopted. He mentioned living in the Norfolk area..he definitely grew up down south as my friend recalls him having a southern accent.

[Gibel]

Did he marry? If yes is his wife’s name known? If wife is still alive her name can’t be posted but I can see a possible marriage registration in 1965 in Fakenham Norfolk.

[ResearchJu]

There are no John Charles Betts born in 1942 so it's likely his name was changed when he was adopted.  If he had a Birth certificate you may be able to get some more details from that - i.e. what the original registration date was.  You can't check any census as he was born after 1939.  Good Luck!

[MrsS2012]

Did he marry? If yes is his wife’s name known? If wife is still alive her name can’t be posted but I can see a possible marriage registration in 1965 in Fakenham Norfolk.

He didn’t marry my friend’s mother, he may have been married before as he was considerably older than my friends mother when he met her. Are you able to pm me details for the marriage? I can look into it!

[MrsS2012]

There are no John Charles Betts born in 1942 so it's likely his name was changed when he was adopted.  If he had a Birth certificate you may be able to get some more details from that - i.e. what the original registration date was.  You can't check any census as he was born after 1939.  Good Luck!

I don’t think we have a birth certificate, going to need all the luck we can get as got literally nothing to go on! He did spend some time in prison.. I know that much.. so would prison records give me more info do you think?