United States Adoption Research

See also United States, How to Find Genealogy Records

Early Adoption Records
Check out the Clerk of the Circuit Court in the county the adoption took place for early adoption records.

Later Adoption Records

 * Finding Adoption Records after 1900

Adoption Records of Each State
See Access to Adoption Records from the Child Welfare Information Gateway for a summary of state laws.

For Further Reading

 * Mixed Roots Foundation Announces First-Ever Global Adoptee Genealogy Project (GAGP) by Mixed Roots Foundation (Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, 3 May 2012). Discusses creation of a DNA database to help adoptees find relatives.
 * With DNA Testing, Suddenly They Are Family by Rachel L. Swarns (New York Times, 23 January 2012). Discusses DNA tests for adopted people.
 * National Orphan Train Complex of Concordia, Kansas Wiki page.
 * Children's Aid Society of New York City Wiki page.
 * New York Foundling Hospital Wiki page.