We finally got
New York Adoptees Can Now Access Birth Certificates. The headline caught Victoria Rich’s attention one morning in January 2020. The 50-year-old had always been at peace about being adopted. Her parents adored her and told her often how her biological mother had made a big sacrifice out of love for her.
About 10 years earlier, Victoria had read a book about women who had given up children for adoption, and her heart ached when she learned they were often wracked with guilt and worry about their babies. Suddenly, she longed to find her birth mother and let her know that she had a good, happy life. But her records had been sealed.
Reading about the new law, Victoria immediately requested her birth certificate, which provided her birth name and her birth mother’s name.
Victoria began searching online. It took a bit of sleuthing since Mary Beth now had a different last name and wasn’t on social media. But eventually, she tracked her down. Not sure how she would react, Victoria decided to write Mary Beth a letter and included her phone number.
Ironically, Mary Beth had been watching Long Lost Family last
March when the letter arrived. Shocked but thrilled, she called Victoria and her story poured out— the pregnancy, her desire to give her baby the best life possible, the guilt. “I’m glad you found me,” Mary Beth said. “I hope you’re not disappointed in me.”
“Of course not!” Victoria insisted. “It was a selfless, gracious thing to do.” They were anxious to meet, but due to the pandemic, had to wait several months. Then last August, Victoria finally visited Mary Beth and they got to hug for the first time. Both were amazed at how alike they are, from appearance to mannerisms to their sense of humor. Today, the two call and text and can’t wait to get together again. “I’ve got my happy ending, just like in the show,” says Mary Beth. “My heart is finally whole.”
“Most counties have a historical society that can help you in your search,” explains genealogist Angela McGhie. “Just type the city and ‘historical society’ into Google and once you find your local society, send them an email with your questions.” Another surprising resource? “Librarians!” says Ancestry Academy instructor George G. Morgan. “Most libraries offer free access to costly databases and can even help from afar.”
Go to FamilySearch.org, click “Search” and “Research Wiki” for things like birth and death certificates that can provide you with clues, suggests McGhie. Then continue your online search by creating an account at MyHeritage.com to use the 14-day free trial!