Hi Jessie, In Massachusetts, we have a "100-year rule." So, next year you should be able to formally "apply" to have the Adoption record opened ! I believe it must be done in person. However, if you write to the "Family and Probate Court" for Suffolk County in MA, you could ask if it can be done by mail, or whether a non-family member could represent you in the case ! I went through the process in Family and Probate Court in Middlesex County, MA, about 4 years ago. My grandmother had been born in 1889 and was adopted in 1892, so 100 years had passed. I had to first contact the Courthouse to find out what the procedure was, then I had to investigate a little, and then get the "application" ready to return to the appropriate office. When I finished that part of the process, I was told to come to the Clerk of the Court's office - with all my paperwork, and be ready to -- stand before a Judge ! One of the things I had to bring with me was "proof of descendancy" which included my grandmother's death certificate and my mother's birth certificate - and mine ! And, they wanted a paragaph or two on "why" you wanted the Adoption record opened ! Unfortunately, there were only a few sheets of paper in the folder and they only provided a few details which I didn't already know ! Plus, there was "no" birth certificate in the folder. I was told different things by different people, but the consensus was that there should have been a birth certificate issued when she was born (in MA or CT), and there should have been another certificate issued at the adoption. My research shows that "none" exists - anywhere ! Suffolk County Probate Court Clerk Old Courthouse - Pemberton Square - Boston, MA 02108. Probate & Family Court 24 New Chardon Street - 3rd Floor - Boston, MA 02114 Phone: (617) 788-8300 http://home.att.net/~Local_History/MA-Suffolk-Co.htm http://www.revere.org/ Betty (near Lowell, MA) ----- Original Message ----- From: "J Hardy" <bdapooh@hotmail.com> To: <mabristo-l@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 6:20 PM Subject: [MABRISTO] Adopted Ancestor Question > Hello, I have been doing some research on Florence E. Porter who was born > in Fall River the late 1890s. > According to the New England Genealogical Society probate index, she was > adopted in 1907 in Revere after her father died. > There is a case number, 41030. What can I do with this information ? Are > adoption records from this time period open in Massachusetts? > > Jessie Moniz > Bermuda > > _________________________________________________________________ > FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar - get it now! > http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/ > > >