Genealogy Blogs

How can i go about tracing back my heritage and family tree?

My bio father whom I never knew at all and passed away, was adopted anonymously. I am now 21 years old and have tons of questions about my heritage due to trying to start a family. Help please

You obviously know, at minimum, your bio father’s name after his adoption. If you also know the state where the adoptions took place and the approximate year, probably near his birth, you may be able to get his adoption records depending on where the adoption took place.

Many states are relaxing their laws on sealed adoption records. Some are unsealing them as a matter of course after a number of years have passed others require a consent form to be on file. So depending on what state the adoption took place in, you may be able to just request the records and send payment for the copies, others you may have to do a bit more to acquire the records.

Go here to see how your state handles adoption records:

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/

Also, look for his obituary as it may provide helpful clues.

Bruce Springsteen accepting the 2010 Ellis Island Family Heritage Award