Adopted at birth where do I start to contact my biological family

[Spendysis]

I was adopted when I was 6 weeks old I have had a lovely life always knew I was adopted from a young age mum said she chose me but was stuck with my sister her biological daughter

I have never shown much interest in finding my biological parents I know my mum was young and father unknown my mum always said she would help me find out more if I wanted when I was 18

i never bothered I nearly did when I pregnant with dd for medical reasons

ive had an awful 7 months with 5 sudden deaths the youngest being 62 so I am in 2 minds whether to look into this but don’t know where to start

Start by getting in touch with the local authority who placed you with your adoptive parents. They might be able to write to your biological mother and let her know you are interested in making contact. Sorry you are having such a rough time at the moment

Hello

i sorry I don’t really know much about this but I am sorry you are in this situation. My daughter is adopted and 18 and I too have told her I will help her but she’s not at present interested. There is a central record of adoptions that is a good place to start or charities like adoption Uk. I wish you luck

spendysis You should apply for your original birth certificate first. Before you are allowed to have it you will be counselled unless things have changed since I sought my natural mother.

I'm so glad you have a lovely mum, but why is she saying she's stuck with her other daughter?

I am on 23andme and a few years ago was contacted by a first cousin twice removed (I think that's right) who was in her 70s. Based on the information she was given from the adoption agency (and the laws in our country) she had non-identifying information. But it was enough for me to figure out that her bio dad was my grandfather's younger uncle. He'd been away for work, met this woman's mother, but as he was already married, he went back to his wife. They separated a few years later. Her bio parents were 40 and 33 when she was born! Sadly, as she was 70something when she started looking, they were all dead, including a half brother.

We stay in contact and she's a lovely woman. She has told me many times that even though she missed getting to know her parents and half brother, she has a sense of peace knowing her background. Her daughter is my age and although we are distant cousins, we've become friendly via social media.

It made me happy to help her. So, you might connect with a cousin or aunt/uncle willing to help you. Don't hesitate to ask them. As we are not immediate family there aren't those big emotions that might exist with siblings or parents. Now, my "new" cousin knows her ethnic heritage which I think has been a big deal for her and her daughter.