My husbands grandfather was adopted. We dont know his birth name and I only find info with his adopt

User15852712976732184417

My husbands grandfather was adopted. We dont know his birth name and I only find info with his adopted surname. I know he was adopted at age 2 but cant seem to find anything on him as a child. I don't know the first names of his adopted parents either.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to go to find out more about him? Ive checked the census' but he only shows up as an adult.

X24 MOM

Do you know when and where he was born? Year? What city/county/state adopted? Was this an agency? Church? Courts? What is his adopted name? Dob? Dod? Has your husband submitted dna to any of the family history testing sites?

LegacyUser

@Fran Dykes​ We have volunteers in the Adoption and Unknown Family group that help locate records about adoptions. The answers to the questions that x24mom has asked will help volunteers know where to focus on to help you.

User15852712976732184417

He was born 7/22/1892. We believe in Paterson, NJ. Do not have any other info on his birth name or birth mother. He was always known as Samuel Fulton Calvin. But I believe that’s his adopted name. I’ve come to find out that it’s a pretty common name too! My husband has done the ancestry dna test. Not sure how to use that to track his grandfathers birth mother though... Appreciate any help you can offer! Thanks!

Rene Greer Williams

Turns out they his adoption record isn't even sealed! Just email the archives and get the file.

https://www.nj.gov/state/archives/catcxxadopt.html

LegacyUser

Thanks Rene! You are a rockstar!

Fran, let us know when you receive information back from the archives. I can't wait to hear what you learn! Will you share with us?

User15852712976732184417

Hi Rene,

Thanks for your help. When I click on the link I see it brings me to the NJ State Archives. Are you saying I should email the archives and if so, what info would I ask for if I have no info on the adoption, no name or date of adoption. All I have is the last name of the parents who adopted him. Also, I see counties listed too with collections. I don’t understand what those are for. Thanks!