[email protected] wrote: > Can SKS please tell me if there were adoption records in the late > 1890s/early 1900s and where would I look? My grandmother was adopted. There was no formal adoption until 1927 so anything before that date would have been more akin to today's fostering arrangements and informal and within the (extended) family. It's more likely that your grandmother was fostered out, probably to a relative, distant or otherwise, if she was indeed "adopted". If the family was well off, then there might be a legal agreement drawn up by the family's lawyer with the family who'd be caring for the child. If that was the case then there might be a copy of the agreement in the lawyer's papers which might be at the local record office if his firm donated their old files. Such an event would be slim at best. If you know your grandmother's birth name you'll be able to get her birth certificate.