My family history used to be cut and dry...My Mom was adopted to a good home. Taken in by the dentist of her biological mother, an 18 yr old immigrant from Ireland who was impregnated by her employer——a much older prominent Jewish man from Hyde Park in Chicago. As I’ve become older, I feel this story isn’t true. My Mother was born at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, IL. She says her birth records are sealed in a way I’ve been unable to imagine how and why; the legalities; how do you get through life without a birth certificate? is this possible? Is it impossible to ever discover the truth?
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1You could do a DNA test to find out if your percent of Jewish ancestry is what would be expected from this history. You might also find DNA matches.– Ellen SpertusSep 13, 2018 at 4:28
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1What year was this? Fwiw, I believe birth certificates are sometimes created for adoptive parents.– Ellen SpertusSep 13, 2018 at 4:30
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Hi, welcome to G&FH.SE! Please take the tour to learn a little about the site, since the format here is very different than other sites like discussion forums that you may be more used to. Your question needs some help because it's unclear what you're asking -- you have too many questions in your post. What is it that you really want to know?– Jan Murphy ♦Sep 13, 2018 at 20:00
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I hear that you're confused, but the hard facts are that in many states, adoption records are closed, and unless adopted kids happen to find a copy of the court records in their family papers, they don't have access to anything but what's called 'non-identifying' information about their birth parents. As part of the adoption process, they get amended birth certificates issued by the state with the names of the adoptive parents on them. Adoptees don't have to "go through life without a birth certificate" as you put it. This is changing, but for many adoptees, the records are still closed.– Jan Murphy ♦Sep 13, 2018 at 20:05
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1 Answer
In many states, yes, original birth certificates (OBCs) are sealed when a child is adopted. An amended birth certificate is then issued with the adoptive parents' names and the child's new name. So, no, adoptees do not go through life without a birth certificate.
You're somewhat in luck; Illinois, according to the American Adoption Congress partially opened their adoption records. Adoptees born 31 Dec 1945 and earlier can request a copy of their OBC. For adoptees born 1 Jan 1946 and later, they can file for a non-certified OBC (it can't be used for identification), but birth parents, if living, can file a veto and have their information redacted until their death. More information from AAC here.
Of course, there's always the possibility that your mother's birth mother did not name the father on the OBC, or used a fake name. She may have even used a fake name for herself. And falsified the non-identifying information she provided to the adoption agency. So getting a copy of your mother's OBC may not actually provide any decent information.
If you really want to find out who your mother's biological parents are, I recommend going the route already suggested: Take a DNA test. Even better, if your mom is still living, have her take it. There are a couple books by Blaine Bettinger that are great guides for selecting a DNA test (or tests) and interpreting the results. You can also ask further questions here, or there are a number of DNA/genetic genealogy groups on Facebook (including some that specialize in adoption/uncertain parentage cases).
