General Chat

Looking for my half-sister born Laura Jane v Singh in 1974. If anyone has any information please contact me. Also looking or my nephew Daniel Michael Roche/Roach born Feb 1985.

Please contact me if you have any information.

Thank you

Debbie.

Laura's birth was also registered in Islington as Metcalfe (mmn Field)

If she stayed with her mother, do you know anything about her such as her first names or any additional marriage? Would you know Mr Metcalfe's first names in case Laura was raised by him and her mother?

Although Laura doesn't seem to have been given up for adoption, could that have been the case?
Have you ever been in contact with her, if so where and when?

Daniel Michael ROCHE was born in Westminster to a single mother.

As there isn't an available image of the index, its not possible to tell if he was adopted. What else do you know about him? Was he raised by his mother? Did she marry meaning he may have taken his stepfather's name?
Again, if you have ever been in contact with him, when and where was that?

Hi DetEctive,

Thanks so much for replying. My half sister Laura is my dad's daughter but I never met her. I think her mum was called Sarah. I remember her grandparents visiting my house in the mid 70's. I think her mum remarried but that's all I know.

Daniel was taken away from his mother (she was ill) and is the son of my brother (deceased). I don't know why his mum didn't put my brother down as the father as he was still alive then. Daniel was adopted after many court appearances from my mum to try and keep him with us. We've had no contact with him for years and social services stopped taking my calls. Even the Salvation Army couldn't help as he had been adopted. He has a huge family but because my mum was a single parent at the time as she had separated from my dad, the courts decided he was best off with the maternal side but that didn't work out so once again back to court and then he was adopted. I feel as if I'm banging my head off a brick wall as it's so frustrating but thank you for your help.

Debbie. :-)

on freebmd there is a Metcalfe/Field marriage in 1971 that looks right

and possible remarriage in 1977

will pm with info and a possible address

Re Daniel.

Have you added your name to the Adoption Contact Register?
https://www.gov.uk/adoption-records/the-adoption-contact-register

Assuming you've already used the SA as an intermediary agency, who would have been able to access his files, it very much sounds as if he doesn't want to be found. [edit - come to think of it, maybe they didn't access his files as they would have been given his new name. Contact them again to ascertain if they did. Perhaps the law hadn't changed to allow that when they did their search]
You could write to SS and ask for a letter to be put on his file. If he ever accesses it, he may choose to contact his birth family. Your letter would help.

Hi Shirley,

Thanks so much for that.

Hi DetEcTive, the social services have letters, addresses, photos and phone numbers. Maybe he doesn't want to be found :( That would be a shame as he'll never know the real story :(

Thanks for your help

Debbie.

Sorry DetEcTive,

Does that mean the Salvation Army may have had contact with him already? Ah yes I will email them again to ask.

Many thanks,

Debbie. :-)

It was more a case of " Are they aware of his adopted name?" Obviously, they can't tell you what it is if they do

At one time no one, repeat no one, was allowed to know what name he'd been given. The Law changed to permit authorised intermediary agencies access to it.

Depending when they made their enquiries, they may have faltered at the first hurdle. Although I'm assuming they are an 'authorised' agency, you might want to check that with them.

Hi DetEcTive,

I'm not sure. I've just emailed them so waiting for a reply. Usually the Salvation Army is good. I've also just emailed another agency too so will let you know what they say.

Thanks,

Debbie.

"Because of legal restrictions we are currently not permitted to pursue enquiries where adoption has taken place. Throughout the United Kingdom there are a number of Adoption Support Agencies which are legally registered to offer such a service. To find one which covers your area we suggest you look at the following website:

That's what the email says

Well, that's another avenue to pursue.

If the one you've contacted doesn't work out, the Adoption Contact Register page given earlier does give further links to authorised agencies.