family history for adoptive parents.

[VBCoach]

What is the name of your state? KY

this appeared to be the best forum. what are some things you would want to pass on to adoptive parents from the biological parents ?

health issues is obvious (as far as cancer, heart attacks, etc.). how far back should one trace ?

nationality ?

anything else ?

thanks

[nextwife]

Our adopted children deserve to be made aware of any information we know of their cultural roots, nation of origin cultural and historic background, known ethnicity, and , eventually any known health issues that could be a familial predisposition.

However, both among children raised by their bioparents and those raised by their adoptive parents, much background may simply be unavailable. Example: my husband's dad died just BEFORE he was born (military action - not a health issue) and his dad's family remained oversees, so husband has ZIP knowledge of his family history other than national origin and religion. Our (adopted) daughter will likely never know any biofamily medical history, and we are only making an educated guess about her presumed ethnicity.

Adoptive parents must be prepared to approach all medical issues knowing they may not ever have access to a full med history, and sometimes, NO med history at all..

Or:

Are you the bioparent attempting to compile a packet of info for the future parents to have?

[VBCoach]

Originally Posted by nextwife

Are you the bioparent attempting to compile a packet of info for the future parents to have?

yes that is the case.

[nextwife]

I know my daughter (she was abandoned after birth and left at an orphanage) would someday love to know the following about her bioparents:

A. All known medical data about either bioparent and their families. What they were known to suffer from, causes of death of any grandparents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, etc.

B. Some family history. Where did the family live before they lived where last known. Their roots. What drove them to leave their ancestral homes (religious persecution, war, famine) and when and how did they come to the US.

C. Do they have siblings out there somewhere.

D. What does the family excel at? Are there many who love math? Music? Sports? Art? Science? What interests the bioparents? Do HER interests maybe come from her bioroots, for example.

What do the family members look like. Did biodad or mom have thick, dark hair like she does? Are they tall? Short? Dimples? Cleft chins?

Help fill in the blanks that the future parents cannot. Help the child have a connection to their roots and satisfy their curiousity. Curiousity about what might make them who they end up being. Part is nature, part is nurture.

Maybe a scrapbook would be nice?

WE made one for our daughter utilizing all the (appropriate) history we did have and she loves to page through it.

[Happy Trails]

Awesome post, Nexi!

[nextwife]

Thank you Happy Trails!