I'm looking for some advice on how to discern the truth in an adoption case from the 1920s!. My paternal grandmother found out she was adopted late in life!. She was apparently very angry and refused to have anything to do with finding her true parents' identities!. No one else in the family seemed to think it important either!.
Fast forward to a year ago!.!.!.my interest in genealogy had picked up but I didn't know how to begin finding her true birth parents or ancestors!. As any of you probably know, a genealogist (amateur though I am) can be driven crazy by having 25% of a family tree missing!.
With the help of a couple very talented genealogists, I was able to acquire copies of her birth certificate, the adoption decree, the certificate of adoption, and a document called "Information Concerning Adoptive Parents"!.
As I alluded to in another question a few days ago, the birth parents listed on the birth certificate are amazingly difficult to locate in census records or any other genealogical resource!. Both genealogists that were assisting me suggested the very real possibility that the information for the father, mother, or both is completely false!.
According to the records, my grandmother was born on January 29th, 1925 at the home of a physician in Cincinnati, Ohio!. On the actual birth certificate, her name is listed as Rita Ochs!. The father is listed as Louis Schallenberger (residence unknown, 30 years old, birthplace unknown, occupation/industry unknown)!. The mother is listed as Bernice Ochs (residence Cincinnati OH, 29 years old, birthplace Dayton OH, occupation/industry 'housework')!. However, any records resembling the parents' identities doesn't fit!.!.!.for example, I can find a Louis Schallenberger in Pennsylvania who was married and had kids at the time!.!.!.I can find a Bernice Ochs who was married and lived in Iowa at the time!. I know either person could genuinely be the true parent, but it seems unlikely to me and even if it was, I don't know that their current family would like me asking if Mom or Pop ever had an affair in Cincinnati!
At this point, my grandmother looks to have been placed with St Joseph Infant Asylum in Cincinnati through the Bureau of Catholic Charities!. On the adoption decree, her name is listed as Marie Ochs!. Upon adoption to Joseph F and Mary Irene Comfort, her name was changed to Rosemary Patricia Comfort!. She knew only this name for her entire life, though she changed her last name when she married my grandfather (Carroll William Haug)!.
My grandmother only found out that she was adopted when she and my grandfather were in Ohio attempting to get her a passport to vacation in Guatemala!. My grandparents were staying at the home of her adoptive aunt (sister of Mary Irene Comfort)!. Her adoptive aunt apparently let slip to my grandfather that the adoptive parents (Joseph and Mary Irene) had sworn the family to secrecy!.
To further complicate matters, I mentioned to some aunts and uncles over the past year that I was attempting to discover my grandmother's true identity through genealogical research!. A few seemed excited and supportive, but a few bristled at the idea, even going so far as to tell me to keep my nose out of it!. I told them I wanted to know for my own knowledge, but I don't know why it's such a hot button topic now for her kids!. I'm doing it for peace of mind and to know my roots!.!.!.not to try to contact her family and stir things up!.
ANYWAYS, sorry for the essay!. How can I sort through the truth and fiction in this situation!? How can I ascertain what's true and what's not out of the birth certificate information and subsequent adoption information!. As you can tell, it's not exactly a case where I should start asking around!. I know it's very sensitive!. Jeez, this got a ton longer than I wanted but I wanted to try to include all aspects of consideration!.
This is very important to me!. Any responses will be extremely appreciated!Www@QuestionHome@Com