Missing Pieces: How to Find Birth Parents and Adopted Children. A Search and Reunion Guidebook by Paul Drake & Beth Sherrill; 281 pp; paper; 5.5x8.5; Index; Published: 2004; ISBN: 0-7884-2534-X; Item # HBD2534

Here is a complete “how-to” find adopted children or birth parents. Such reunions are ever more desired and in favor today, and of all researchers genealogists are the best trained to undertake such searches for themselves or for others for hire. Author Beth Sherrill, a social worker by profession, was surrendered over to adoption at birth, she having been the only one of six children given up by her birth mother. Paul Drake, JD, is a nationally known genealogist and writer, both authors reside in TN. Included is a definitive chapter concerning the use of family medical history in patient care, such being commonly known to genealogists. This material is written by John B. Sherrill, MD, a Emory University trained physician with more than 20 years of experience. In planning a search for Beth’s birth parents without identification or knowledge of those people, the authors found no satisfactory search guidebooks on the market. After success in those efforts, Beth and Paul undertook exhaustive research and interviews with others involved with adoption search and reunion problems. The end product of these efforts is this moving tale of Beth’s discovery of and reunion with her birth parents and families, combined with a complete “how-to” guide through the emotional hurdles and maze of public and private records involved in any search for birth parents or for adopted children.

Other Books by Paul Drake

• What Did They Mean By That?
• More What Did They Mean By That?
• You Ought To Write All That Down