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One of the most difficult areas of genealogy, very much like the area of black history is adoption. Many times you will run across the term indentured, bonded, bound, and apprentice and these terms refer to males and females that were orphans, convicts, or from families that usually did not have the means to journey to the new country. These individuals were bound to a particular family of monetary means or bound to a particular ship as a worker for passage. Many of these individuals can easily be traced. Others, the orphans, are not as easy to trace. No matter which ancestor is yours--being descended from an indentured servant, orphan, convict, is nothing to be embarrassed by--no one family has ever survived a generation without an individual that hit on bad times. Many individuals would commit a crime hoping to be indentured to a passenger ship bound for America. So just because your ancestor was brought to this country for a crime—that crime may have been purposely committed to get to America.
When you discover an adopted child you need to use the name the child is given and continue with that name until the child's actual parentage is discovered. At this time, a footnote should be entered for this individual giving the natural parent's name. Now, if you are adopted and desire to trace your natural family line, there are books available to aid in your research. As an adopted individual there are many things to consider--the most important being--am I ready to make these discoveries and will my natural parents be willing to share these discoveries with me should I determine that is what I wish to do.
Remember that once you find out you were adopted there are hundreds of reasons why. Death of a parent was usually the most common reason in days of old. Lack of means to support a child was another reason. In many instances children were given in payment of bills, debts owed by the parents. The reason for adoption or giving up of a child is vast and can be something you may never want to know the answer to.
Laws are being changed every day and some of these laws give certain rights those of you that are adopted. Many now have the right to know who gave them birth. Check with your state registrar to find out what resources and information is available to you. But please as I have said before and will say again—make sure you are truly ready to find out who you really are! Also be sure once you find out to honor the rights of your parents if they say “NO” they do not want to see you. This could happen. At least you will have your birth name and will have access to that family line as to your history. But it could be information that you wish you would never have found.
There are many books available on this subject, following is a list of some of these books. I hope they are an asset and a comforting and supportive aid to you during and after your research:
Lifton, Betty Jean. 1975, Twice Born: Memoirs of an Adopted Daughter.
Lifton, Betty Jean. 1979, Lost and Found, the Adoption Experience.
The Adoption Triangle. Sorosky, Arthur D., et al. 1978.
Search, A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents. Askin, Jayne and Bob Oskam. 1982.
Colonists in Bondage: White Servitude and Convict Labor in America, 1607-1776. Smith, Abbot Emerson. 1947.
A Guide to Genealogical and Biographical Sources for New York City (Manhattan) 1783-1898, by Rosalie Fellows Bailey may be of some help in locating records pertaining to indentured servants.
Askin, Jayne, with Molly Davis. Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents, 2nd ed. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press, 1992.
Beard, Timothy Field. "Adoptees in Search of Their Natural Parents." How to Find Your Family Roots. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1977, pp.157-166.
Berko, Robert L. Using Public Records to Find and Investigate Anyone. South Orange, NJ: Consumer Education Research Center, 1997.
Carroll, Susan. "Genealogy for Adult Adopted Persons-Not an Insoluble Problem". The Genealogical Helper. V.32 N.6, Nov/Dec 1978, p.8-12.
Culligan, Joseph J. Adoption Searches Made Easier. Miami, FL: FJA, Inc., 1996.
Strauss, Jean A. S. Birthright: the Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees, Birthparents, and Adoptive Parents. New York: Penguin Books, 1994.
Tillman, Norma Mott. How to Find Almost Anyone, Anywhere. Nashville, TN: Rutledge Hill Press, 1994.
As I stated earlier--be aware of the possibility that you may not like some of the information, you find--but--it is your heritage. And history has evolved from each and every one of our ancestors. Whether, kings or queens, dukes or earls, outlaws or bandits, politicians, slaves, slave owners, or just common people, each and every one of us played and play an important part in the events that continually create the pages of history.
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