1. Who are my biological parents, and do I have any siblings?

You might be curious about your biological parents’ identities, appearance, and personalities. For some people, knowing who your biological parents are can help them understand their own family history, and help improve their sense of identity.

Similarly, finding out if you have biological siblings can help you feel more connected to your biological family and may provide a sense of belonging or community. It can also be helpful to know if you have any other family members to potentially connect with. 

2. Why was I adopted?

Some people can often feel confused or angry at their biological family, and this is completely normal, but understanding the circumstances around your adoption can help you make sense of your past more and come to terms with your adoption. It can also be comforting to know exactly what happened and why it happened, as it can often feel like finding that missing puzzle piece.

You may also want to know if it was due to financial or personal circumstances, or if there were other reasons involved. It’s important to remember that giving up your child is not an easy decision and it isn’t something which would have been chosen lightly. Sometimes it’s the circumstances which determine whether an adoption happens or not, rather than it being a direct decision from your birth parents.

3. What are my biological parents like?

It’s common to want to know not only what your birth parents looked like, but also what they were like as people. This can cover a wide range of things such as their hobbies, their careers, where they lived and if they moved around at all. 

There are endless questions which you may have about who exactly your biological parents were and what they were passionate about, but this does also depend on the circumstances under which you were adopted.

It’s important to remember that this information is sensitive and may not be exactly what you would like to hear. We recommend that if you choose to find your birth family that you have a good support system around you when dealing with all of these emotions.

4. What is my cultural and ethnic background, and are there any health issues or genetic conditions I should be aware of?

You may want to learn more about your cultural and ethnic heritage, which can be an important part of your identity. You may also want to explore your family’s cultural traditions, language, and customs. 

It is important for you to be aware of any genetic health issues that may run in your biological family, to find out if any of them will directly impact you. This knowledge can help you make informed decisions about your own health and potentially avoid health risks.

5. What was my life like before I was adopted?

For many people they may want to learn about their life before they were adopted, such as where they lived and who took care of them. This information can help you piece together your personal history and understand your early experiences.

For some people they may have been adopted from birth and so they would have spent their childhood with their adoptive parents. This means that this experience would be all that they know, and there isn’t any history of them living with their birth family.

6. How do I feel about my adoption, and how do I process and understand my feelings about my biological family?

You may have a mix of emotions when it comes to your birth family and your adoption, and these feelings are completely valid. It’s important to take time to understand these emotions and what they mean to you. 

People tend to process emotions differently and this is why we advise that you don’t go through this journey on your own. When you are trying to understand what you are feeling it can be all consuming, so it can be good to have someone there to talk to about this, whether it be a friend, family member or partner.

Finding the right time to start the search for your birth family…

There isn’t necessarily the “right time” to begin the journey of finding your biological family, so it is whenever is right for you. It’s important to talk things through with your adoptive family as well as close friends and your partner as this allows them to be able to support you through the search.

Where do you start? Visit The Adoption Specialist to find out more information regarding the process and also other people’s experiences. You can also complete Locate Your Parent Form to get started.