Finding geneology?

Question:Hello, Im 21 years old and I searching for my geneology. I have my fathers side of the family covered seeing as he has custody of me, however, my I haven't had contact with my biological mother since I was 4 years of age. It gets a little trickier her because she was adopted so Im not even sure if the surname I have for her is accurate. How do I go about finding this information out? Im very lost. please help.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Hello, Im 21 years old and I searching for my geneology. I have my fathers side of the family covered seeing as he has custody of me, however, my I haven't had contact with my biological mother since I was 4 years of age. It gets a little trickier her because she was adopted so Im not even sure if the surname I have for her is accurate. How do I go about finding this information out? Im very lost. please help.

Have you talked to your father? Ask him to divulge all he knows about your mom. Does your mother have older relatives who might be willing to talk to you about her? (VERY important from a health standpoint). Talk to any and all living relatives first. Then use the clues they provide and work backwards (most recent information and events to the oldest). Do you have her marriage certificate? Where did she live as a teenager? Check the local library for phone books, or directories (pre-cursor to the phone book).
Good Luck!
Michelle

You are going to have to talk to your Mother, unless you have access to adoption papers, just make sure it's what you want before you start, it will be hard for the both of you.

Good luck and good hunting

Unless you can get a court order to unseal her adoption papers, you are stuck. Some family trees remain mysteries.

It won't make you feel better, but most African Americans don't get much further back than 1870, unless they run into a slave owner who trifled with the help, so to speak, and trace their white line. Having a rapist in the family tree is no fun.

Lots of Jewish people have dead ends where the Nazis torched the synagogue and all the records.

You have my sympathy.

I'm going to suggest to you what I suggest to everyone. Get the book unpuzzling your past by Emily Croom. She addresses these issues and the book may be of help to you. It about $20 and takes you step by step.

I feel for you in trying to do her side. It will be hard but I think you will overcome it.

Good luck in your quest