If the mother is dead, her death certificate, which is easily
obtainable, should give her father's name and mother's full maiden
name --- depending on how informed the informant was. A paid death
notice and/or obituary for the mother, in the city of her domicile
and/or where she last lived, should give the names of living children
and grandchildren.

Searching census records under the name of the friend's parents
will show the names of household members, whether the friend's
siblings or others. The 1930 census and prior is on-line; for 1940
and subsequent censuses, the friend may obtaimn same at the Bureau
of the Census since he or she is the natural child of the subject
parents..

Neil J. Abelson, Esq.

The NYC Dept. of Health will only issue birth certificate copies to
the individual who's named on the record or to their parents. A
friend who was born in New York City and subsequently adopted knows
the name of his biological mother, but wants to know the names of her
parents in order to find other biological family members. Any
suggestions on how to go about getting this information?

Thanks for your help.

Michael Sklaroff.

Researching: Sklaroff, Sklerov, Sucharenko, Bletter, Shenker.

In a message dated 5/12/2009 1:46:04 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
iraleviton@... writes:
If the friend's mother is still alive, then he is out of luck, as
there is the presumption that she doesn't want anybody else to obtain
her birth certificate.

But I would hasten to add in this case if the mother is alive and not
wanting contact with the child she gave up for adoption the child still has
other genealogical research available. Hopefully the mother's name is not
Mary Smith but something less common. Also does he have the husband of
father's name? He could search the newspapers for a potential marriage
announcement of his birth mother. Also we don't know ages but if the
mother is old enough to be in the 1930 Census that could be a tool or
city directories. He might be able to find the biological grandparents
simply by following that track if the City will not let him at the birth
certificate. If she has died he has social security records, the cemetery,
the funeral home, etc. also as options.

Happy hunting for your friend.

Allan Jordan

Dear Cousins,

Michael Sklaroff asked about a friend who wants to obtain his
biological mother's birth certificate >from New York City and said
that the New York City Department of Health issues them only to the
individual on the birth record or to their parents.

I add that if the mother is deceased, bringing proof of that,
usually a death certificate, allows the Department of Health to issue
a birth certificate to any family member, including indirect family,
simply on the attestation that there's a family relationship and proof
of the requestor's identity, the latter as required for all vital
records obtained there. The copy of birth certificate will be marked
"deceased" on the top but is otherwise the same.

If the friend's mother is still alive, then he is out of luck, as
there is the presumption that she doesn't want anybody else to obtain
her birth certificate.

Regards,

Ira
Ira Leviton
New York, N.Y.