Yep Brian, you are exactly right. I was adopted, and am looking for anything on my birth family. My "original" (Ha!) birth certificate states that I was born to my adoptive parents, and even states that I was my mother's 1st "live" birth. My mom had NO children, they couldn't HAVE children, that's why they adopted me. Also, in Florida, all the way into the 1970's, the attorney handling the adoption had full power to change the birthdate, anywhere from 6 weeks prior, to 6 weeks later, just to make the "search" even more difficult. They finally changed that law in the mid-70's, so that the exact date of birth has to be on the new certificate. So, if you were born prior to the '70s in Florida, and adopted, there is a chance that you have a full 3 month period that needs to be searched. I have a friend that I went to school with, that was adopted also, and hers WAS changed. So, she celebrates the birthdate that is on her certificate, but she still knows that it is not the real DOB. The only way I know mine wasn't changed, is because another girl I went to school with is one day older than me, and her mom told me that she remembers when I was born, and my adoptive mom came to the "ward" and took me home. Anyway, alot of people who may join the adoption search sites for Florida, post their date of birth, but even then, it will throw people off, if the dates are up to 3 months "wrong". It really prevents alot of connections, (which is what it was designed to do!) Now, that really upsets me! Christine Brian E. Michaels wrote: > Yo, Westover, > > Want one that's even worse? In the case of Florida adoptions, a fake > birth certificate showing the adoptive parents as the birth parents is > issued and the original, accurate certificate is sealed. But not just > sealed, replaced with a flagrant lie! > > That REALLY puts my genealogical nose out of joint.... <snarl> > > Brian Michaels > ********************************************************************** > westover wrote: > > > > Thanks to all who responded. > > > > I can understand how certain birth records could be considered confidential (e.g., unwed mothers, adoptions, etc.) However, it is unfair to make all birth records inaccessible for genealogical research. Not surprisingly, the rules vary from state to state. For example, in Connecticut, all records of vital statistics, including births, are open for research to any member of a legally incorporated genealogy society. > > > > Not looking for a reply. Just venting! > > > > -----== Sent via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----- > > http://www.dejanews.com/ Easy access to 50,000+ discussion forums > > ______________________________