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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: dean.wendy on Sunday 06 December 15 20:54 GMT (UK)
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Hi There
I am looking for information regarding obtaining adoption records. My friend has only just found out that her now deceased mother was adopted and is looking to try and find out some family history. She was born in 1935, so any addresses or information on how to go about the search would be most appreciated.
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Try to obtain the Birth Certificate for the mother.
Do you know what age she would have been when she was adopted?
I suppose that your friend will know the date of birth of her mother? Does she also know the place or town of her birth?
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It is possible that the adopted person was given a name at birth (say for example, only: Ann Other) Then, on adoption the surname of the adopting family was added, to make for example Ann Other Smith.
But it could depend on how old she was on adoption, and whether she had become accustomed to her birth name.
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Try to obtain the Birth Certificate for the mother.
Do you know what age she would have been when she was adopted?
I suppose that your friend will know the date of birth of her mother? Does she also know the place or town of her birth?
Thanks for reply, I will ask if she has access to Birth Certificate, other than that she knows very little as she only found out after both her parents died that her mother was adopted.
Thanks
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My experience is with England and Wales, so I do not know what system variations you ,may have in NZ.
Get a death certificate or a marriage certificate if that is easier, but the details on either of those certs may help you to search for the birth certificate.
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Get a death certificate or a marriage certificate if that is easier, but the details on either of those certs may help you to search for the birth certificate.
a printout is the better option as it is cheaper and often has more information,the marriage would be more accurate than a death printout as the couple would have provided the information themselves
Cheers Janette
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Contact an Adoption Information (sometimes called JigSaw) organisation in your country. Or contact your nearest official Adoption agency who may be able to give you a referral. Counselling is offered as well as information on what steps to take. Best wishes, Gazania
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Hello.
Through the years there have been major changes to the process of adoption in NZ. Particularly in the 1970's with the advent of Adoption Support groups, and Institution courses run for people wishing to be involved in adoption.
Prior to that time, it was not uncommon for only close family to know, and adoptee's reached adulthood before being made, or becoming aware of the details.
The first legislation came in the 1880's but mainly impacted upon the people of European birth or heritage. Once again NZ was a leader here.
If it involved a child of Maori or Island heritage, that was a different, and far less formal occurrence until more recent times.
There are several informative web pages on the subject.
http://adoptionnz.com/?page_id=118
This is just one, I took a quick look at.
Regards,
Alan.
For a couple of years I was invited to be a Santa to an Adoption Support Group's Christmas Party.
The beard was itchy enough without the kids pulling on it.
:-\ :-\
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Hello,
It may be helpful to read the notes on the NZ BDM website.......
http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Births-Deaths-and-Marriages-Birth-Certificates-and-Adoption?OpenDocument
Minniehaha.
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Hello again.
Two points from the initial post, appear to have been overlooked in some reply's.
#1 Year of adoption is assumed as 1935
#2 Interested party to the adoption information is NOT the adoptee, but an offspring thereof, who does not have the same entitlement provisions, to access B D & M records of adoptions.
Historic Birth records are governed by the 100 year rule, when it comes to general enquiries, and the time given for the adoption is 1935.
Assuming it was of a new born, or young child, it was born on the edge of the Great Depression, where even well established families, found themselves caught up in the domino effect of collapsing businesses, and legal niceties re official records, and Court orders, did not always happen.
If the person whom you are enquiring for is prepared to publish a NZ province where they feel such adoption may have taken place, local knowledge may come into play with where you may seek additional information. There are still 90 year olds around who's early memory is still quite sharp.
We are rapidly gaining a large data base of old primary school attendees rolls which could be of assistance.
- Alan.
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"...My friend has only just found out that her now deceased mother was adopted and is looking to try and find out some family history."
How did your friend come by this information?
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"...My friend has only just found out that her now deceased mother was adopted and is looking to try and find out some family history."
How did your friend come by this information?
The family were told by there father before he died 18 months later, also a friend of the family has verified that she knew that she had been adopted but had no further information.