Hello there,
I am from the Kansas City, Mo area and in the 1950's Kansas City, Mo was the black market baby capitol of the world. I have been researching this for years. I was adopted by a couple in Chillicothe, Mo and know who my birth parent and sibling are. I have met all of them but one.
I have a cousin in the family that was "adopted" just the way you were. It was very common in the 50's for this to happen. Shameful, but it happened. I am finding that most of the parents that adopted these children know more about the birth mother than they let on. Most of them knew them for a time or they were a long lost cousin of someone they knew. My birth mother knew all of the people she gave children too, but, all but 2 of us were paid for. And it was a large sum in those days. My birth mother also black marketed her own nieces baby and told her he was dead and 15 years ago he should up on her door step and she had a nervous breakdown. This practice was just so common back in those days.
I just don't think these people thought they were hurting anyone. They were taking a child that needed a home. And most people back then wanted newborns and they were hard to get legally. There were lots of older kids in homes but no one wanted them.
I am brokenhearted at these stories and there are more than I can tell you. I am still searching for my last brother that was sold to a couple in PA. He is last one I have to find.
I wish you well in your search. I truly know what you are going thru and just wanted to let you know that there are people out there that do care about your story.
My best to you and yours,
Kathy |
