" YOUR ROOTS" contains information about how to access information about your history whether or not you were a Crown Ward, A Society Ward or were adopted through the Society.   It also contains information about the Adoption Disclosure Registry.

Adoption Disclosure is a service that responds to the requests of adult adoptees, birth parents, birth grandparents, birth siblings and adoptive parents who wish information about each other. It also helps with reunions matched and referred by the Adoption Disclosure Register maintained by the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

We provide non-identifying information as well as reunion preparation counselling. Many people want information only, while others obtain it before deciding to pursue reunion.

The issues in both adoption disclosure and Crown ward disclosure are complex yet similar. Identity is a major theme — we often hear from those seeking information that "pieces of the puzzle are missing". Common questions asked are "Whom do I look like?" and "Where do my interests, talents, skills and personality traits come from?"

Birth family members receive some comfort in knowing a little about the adoptive family and the child's progress until adoption finalization.

However, information on files is usually not current; how much information is on file will vary according to what was recorded at the time of the adoption or while a former Crown ward was in the agency's care. This is why adoption disclosure legislation encourages the collection of updated, non-identifying information from inquiring parties to be placed on file. This can then be passed along to other family members who seek information.
 

Crown Ward Disclosure responds to requests of former Crown Wards of the Society who request information about their time in care and about their family history.

Although there is no provincial disclosure legislation for former Crown wards, we provide information about an individual's birth family and their time in care in the same manner as we do for adult adoptees. It is primarily non-identifying in nature, as consent to release identifying information must be given by any person named in the agency's records. Where possible, we help connect former Crown wards to family members whom they knew or who have said they are interested in being reunited.

The issues in both adoption disclosure and Crown ward disclosure are complex yet similar. Identity is a major theme — we often hear from those seeking information that "pieces of the puzzle are missing". Common questions asked are "Whom do I look like?" and "Where do my interests, talents, skills and personality traits come from?"

Birth family members receive some comfort in knowing a little about the adoptive family and the child's progress until adoption finalization.

However, information on files is usually not current; how much information is on file will vary according to what was recorded at the time of the adoption or while a former Crown ward was in the agency's care. This is why adoption disclosure legislation encourages the collection of updated, non-identifying information from inquiring parties to be placed on file. This can then be passed along to other family members who seek information

Information is also available for Society Wards. This information might be needed for medical records, or student assistance applications for example.  Please call the Society for more information

When a match is identified on the Adoption Disclosure Register, both parties to the reunion are notified by mail.

Simultaneously, a referral is sent to the children's aid society where the adoption was arranged and counselling is offered to both the adult adoptee and birth family member.

This mandatory counselling (in person, on the telephone or by mail) is flexible in nature and tailored to meet the needs of the individuals and families involved.

The notification letter usually sets in motion a myriad of feelings and emotions for both parties to the reunion — a combination of excitement about the possibility of reunion and a fear of the unknown.

Our Reunion Preparation Package offers the adoptee and birth family member a step-by-step approach to the reunion process beginning with a general orientation and then the exchange of letters, photographs and other basic information. The signing of consent forms and the gradual move towards the exchange of identifying information and direct contact takes place when both parties feel comfortable and prepared.