1940's Adoption Story

[SGould40]

Now, here’s what I have gathered about this sad adoption story….. (no names to protect the living)

‘Living War Baby’ was born in 1940 in Dundee, Scotland. She was ‘adopted’ by ‘Man’ and ‘Woman’ in 1942 who did not get married until June 1947. In Dec 1947, the 3 came to Canada. Apparently ‘Man’ left shortly after they arrived in Canada and the marriage of ‘Man’ and ‘Woman was annulled in Scotland in June 1949, because ‘Man’ “refused to consummate the marriage”. (Really, I didn’t think men could say no) Woman met ‘Man 2’, married him and they lived in Canada until their deaths.

Now…. ‘Living War Baby’ wants and I think needs resolution. She always believed that they were her ‘real’ parents, but was always told that ‘Woman’ was ‘Mans’ housekeeper and she got pregnant by someone unknown. ‘Living War Baby’ has always felt that ‘Man’ was the one who did the deed, and that they used the cover of adoption to hide the fact.

I have discovered another Ancestry member in Australia who is connected to the family through the ‘Woman’s sister. She notes in her tree that the adoptive mother ‘adopted a war baby named ‘Living War Baby’, but it is only a ‘family story’ ‘Living War Baby’ is trying to find any documentation, but nothing yet, and doesn’t think she was ever given a birth certificate.

I am curious what advice any one here has for me. I am interested in your opinions. I wonder, would an unmarried couple be allowed to adopt a child in 1942. Any thoughts on why the couple wouldn’t marry until 1947; and the annulment puzzles me even more.

Thanks for listening
Steve

[AndrewP]

Hi Steve,

There should be a birth certificate for the 1940 birth, but you would need to know at least her birth name to find that.

There should be records in the adoption records back to 1930, following the Adoption of Children (Scotland) Act, 1930. The adoption register record which links the birth information to the adopted parent information is confidential, but with an application and submission of appropriate information, I believe this information can be released to the adopted child.

See http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/regscot/adoption.html

All the best,

AndrewP

[caljam371]

Steve,

‘Living War Baby’ could write to Dundee City Council to request access or a copy of any Social Work records that exist.

http://www.dundeecity.gov.uk/faqs/careinfo/

Director of Social Work
Dundee City Council
Social Work Department
Level 7, Tayside House, 28 Crichton Street
Dundee, DD1 3RN

Tel 01382 435106
Fax 01382 435108

All known names, dates and addresses should be included to ensure the correct records can be located as easily as possible.


I would also contact Dundee Registrar Office with known names and dates to see what they can find.

Good Luck!
CalJam

[LesleyB]

Also worth contacting Birthlink for any further advice they may be able to give, though I cannot see an unmarried couple being allowed to formally & legally adopt back then.. After all, most, if not all the babies put up for adoption were the products of unmarried couples! If you were not married I gather you were not considered to be morally suitable material to raise your own child...