This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/GdW.2ACIB/245.1.2.1 Message Board Post: As an attorney and an adoptive parent, I want to add to the information that Katheryn has provided. I want to point out that I was not telling Lisa how to handle her search, but to provide her with suggestions on where to start looking for the information. As I said in my original post, Catholic Charities "could" be helpful. Every diocese is different, and what works in one state doesn't work in others. If an orphanage or adoption home is no longer in existence, the records are generally transferred to the diocesan headquarters, not destroyed. Now whether or not the diocese will release the records is another question entirely. The state laws on adoption information and disclosure also differ from state to state. Some states are more open than others. In those cases, the county offices MIGHT provide information on how to start the process. (Katheryn is absolutely correct in stating that the county clerks won't give out information. However, depending on the state and county, they MAY be able to refer an adoptee to the local or state adoption ombudsman -- if such an office exists). Also, in some states, the probate or orphans' court IS the place to seek the record, because that is the court designated to handle adoptions. In PA, for example, the court called the Orphans' Court handles both estate administration and adoptions. Our local court DOES have an officer to handle the release of (some) information to adult adoptees. At least one of our local adoption agencies also assists in reunions of adult adoptees. And this is in a state which has very conservative adoption laws. My point, of course, is that when it comes to adoptions and disclosure, every state is different. While SOMETIMES it is possible for an adoptee to handle this search on their own, usually it is necessary to hire an attorney or adoption search expert. I am happy that Lisa was able to have a successful conclusion to her search.