Tracing Unknown sibling

billyolly

I have had it confirmed that my mother gave birth to a child before I was born.She is dead and no other family member has been able to help.I have asked the Salvation Army for advice and await a answer.Can any one give me advice on how I might find out what happened to this sibling.Any help would be appreciated ,I am 64 and always assumed I was the her oldest child.She has been dead 10 years and I assume her health records have now been destroyed.l am illegitimate and was born in a home for unmarried mothers ,I am in possession of all her records from the home.

Andypandyboy

Check birth records in her home town? I expect that SA wil have more useful advice but that is all I can think of. Good luck though.

billyolly

She gave birth to me 40 miles from where she lived so I am not hopeful on that ,thanks

Nicki

If child adopted birth records won't help as their name will have changed - possibly first name and last name.

There is an adoption register where you can put your name and if they are looking for their birth relatives your details will be released to them (but not theirs to you). Fairly sure adoption records aren't open to being searched by the public at least whilst those affected might still be alive so other than putting your name out widely along with details of the sibling you are searching for, not sure what else you can do (they may know their birth name even if they no longer use it)

KRB2725

Ancestry.co.uk would be a good place to start. You will be able to search birth records by year and there is also an option to include mothers maiden name in the search.

If you find a record you think is your sibling you are able to order direct from the gro. It is more expensive to order via the ancestry link.

There is also a site with a forum on it (genesreunited.co.uk) and the members there are very helpful and will guide you through if you need help. People also upload their family trees, so once you have your sibling name, you can search to see if their details are on there.

Good luck with your search.

ETA having seen above post, if the child was adopted then his/her name is likely to have changed. However, they will use their birth name to search for relatives (if they have decided to do this).

PasturesNew

You are trying to trace somebody who was adopted, so you will need to get in touch with the Adoption Intermediary Agencies. These are organisations who specifically deal with finding and connecting people in your situation. You can't do it alone, except by luck.

Luck would include things such as publishing a "wanted" note on the websites set up for people to post messages about missing people - and if you think about it from the viewpoint of the adopted child, if they are looking for any family then all they will know will be their mother's name most likely - so make sure you post her name when you write. You need to think about how they would word an advert looking for answers .... and then target those things too. e.g. they'd know their mother's name, maybe her address, their birthdate, their birthplace, their first registered name. You need to target as much of this core information as you can in order to try to draw them to you via "missing" websites.

But, that's hit and miss - and it could be never or 10 years before they find what you post (but you post in case it's next week).

Find out about the Adoption Intermediary services - it's who they use on Long Lost Family - even that programme can't delve about inside the records themselves, they have to use the official channels.

Other "bizarre" things you can try might include leaving a (waterproofed) note on your mother's grave, in case they are visiting there now or in the future. Something cryptic, but to indicate you're looking for them and how to get in touch with you.... although set up a new email for that as you don't want strangers who find it being weird or whatever.

Intermediary: https://www.gov.uk/adoption-records/intermediary-agencies

kingfisherblue

Your sibling will now be in his/her 60s or 70s. My mum reads a magazine called Yours, aimed at over 60s. In it, there is a section called 'Where are you?' . I think it's free to post requests for information. Obviously there is more chance of success (by whichever routes you choose to try) if you can give as much detail as possible.

Good luck x

Browntoa

Now answered in one of your 2 other identical threads

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5456516