Features of this Site:

Includes information on adoption reform, reunion, search, support, and research sites.

· A Study on Reunions, "Adoption Reunion: Satisfaction and Success,"
NEW! The results are posted.

· "Adoption Search: Before You Begin" If you lost someone to adoption read this booklet.

· The Facts Statistics on the effects of adoption on adoptees and birthmothers

· ANSRS, Inc Message Forum for Adoption Reform and Healing. A semi-private bulletin board.

· Ballot Measure 58 Allows adult adoptees their original birth certificate.

· "Which is Real"
or "Tell Me -- No More Secrets, No More Lies" Two poems about adoption loss.

· The Call What is it like to make that first phone call?

· Heather's Story A little bit about searching.

· "Adoption Reform: Why All the Fuss" If you are not affected by an adoption and just wondering about the reform movement, read this booklet.

· Just a Man Meeting your birthfather in prison. [Not here yet.]

· The Making of an Emotional Support Group A paper I wrote on how the ANSRS emotional support group evolved. [Not here yet.]

· "Adoption: Yes--But . . ." A mini-book now out of print.[Not here yet.]

Last reviewed/updated: June 4, 2000

ANSRS, Inc

Oregon Resources

Adoption Network for Search, Reunion and Support,Inc

This page was put together in a hurry to meet the demand of the new laws in Oregon. It needs a lot of work, but I hope you can find some useful things in the mean time. Check back in a few days to see if I have the missing information and links.

       Search and Reunion is a two way street. Some of this has been lost with all the media attention concerning adoptee's getting their original birth certificates. Birthparents have a need and right to search for the child they lost to adoption.

       I cannot say it enough, just because you have a name and phone you may not be ready to make that call. Prepare yourself for a reunion! Join an emotional support group, preferably a group where you talk in person; online is not the same. Read books on adoption, there is a link below. Online, you can read Adoption Search: Before You Begin" and "Adoption Reunion Satisfaction and Success."

       Having a name is half the battle of a search, but it is not all. Doing your search is part of the healing process, but it can be very emotional. An emotional support group can help. Join a search group. Learn how to go about searching legally. If you want to hire someone for help in searching, hire a member of the triad. Do not use a private investigator. Do not use one of those 800 services.

       I encourage you to join the discussion group on the ANSRS' Forum. This is a semi-private bulletin board on adoption issues affecting those considering a search, searching, or are in a reunion. Please, do not disucss legal how to specifics on this board. There have been many times that someone has talked about how we legally get information, then that resource went away.

This is a large file, it takes time to download. Part of the record has been cut-off, hopefully by accident. I will ask for another copy in a few months, after the initial rush.

       If you haven't already registered with ISRR, do so now. If you have registered, update your registration with the names on your original birth certificate.

       Links to printable versions of the forms and information. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. To get it free, click download now.

Updates on the processing of requests by the State, and any possible further injunctions by the courts.

• Adoptees -- How to Order Your Original Birth Certificate
• Birthparents -- How to Submit Your Contact Preference
• Adoptee Order Form
• Birthparent Contact Preference Form
  You will get an error when opening this page. Click OK, let it finish loading, then print.
• Birthparent Updated Medical History Form

       I am no longer familiar with all of the groups in Oregon, but here are a few to look into. I am in the process of finding contact information for these groups. ANSRS does not have support groups meetings at this time.

       When contacting a support group, realize that all long distance phone calls will be returned collect. Also, when using regular mail, inlcude a self-addressed stamped envelope. Also, when contacting people about helping you search, include in all communications the following information:

Adoptee's date of birth:
Adoptee's place of birth:
Adoptee's gender:
Place of adoption: (county/state/country)
Who handled the adoption: (name of attorney, doctor, or agency)
Your name: (most groups will not respond to anonymous requests)
Your city/state: (if we don't know where you are, we cannot refer you anywhere)

• Adoptee Birthfamily Connection (ABC), Eugene, Oregon. This group does not have a Web site, but you can email the group leader Dianne May. Mailing address: PO Box 50122, Eugene, OR 97405. Phone: 541-345-6710. If you cannot participate in her support group, Dianne can do a fee paid search.
• OARA (Oregon Adoptive Rights Association), Portland, Oregon. Visit their Web site for more information.
• Somebody, Central, Oregon.
• Somebody, Central Coast, Oregon.
• Somebody, Southern, Oregon.
• Somebody, Vancouver, Washington.

       ABC of Eugene and ANSRS of Portland are planning workshops on searching and reunions in Oregon under the new laws. These all-day workshops are for birthparents, as well as adoptees. We hope to publish the specifics soon. There will be workshops for at least Eugene and Portland. For information on a workshop in a specific city, click a link below.

• Eugene, Oregon
• Portland, Oregon

  There may be more, watch this space.

       A list of adoption books you can purchase online that I feel will be helpful to those considering an adoption search, involved in an adoption reunion, or any step along the way.

       This list will quickly become outdated, but I will try my best to keep it up to date.

• Portland, Oregon - Monday, June 5th at 9:00pm on 860 AM, KPAM Host, Ralph Steadman - Guests, Dianne May and Ginni D Snodgrass - We did the show, it went well. We've been asked to come back, we'll let you know when.

  There may be more, watch this space.

Ginni D Snodgrass
© Copyright 2000