In a message dated 10/19/2005 8:55:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:
I am sorry, however, as stated, I believe the record will show that the very
first court ordered adoption was in 1912 in Mass.  I have no doubt that your
uncles and MANY, MANY others have been "adopted" over the centuries if - IF -
you mean by that term that a non-parent undertook to raise a child born to
someone else.

On the other hand, if you speak of a court ordered adoption as we NOW know
the term, I will stand by my statement that the first one in these United States
was in 1912.

If you know of an earlier one, please let me have a court record citation in
order that I may correct my book and the record.

Thanks.  Paul
Paul

In Montgomery County, VA there is a small packet of papers marked "Adoptions"
from the late 1790s and early 1800s.  These are in the clerk's office, loose
in the file drawers with criminal warrants and other miscellaneous papers, not
in the court order books.  However, upon reading these papers they are the
traditional indentures of orphans to those who could do those traditional
activities with them.

These documents were prepared by the Overseer of the Poor.

I would agree these are not traditional adoptions as we currently think of
them, but it does raise the question as to whether or not the term was used (it
was) widely for indentures.

More questions than answers I realize.

Warm regards
Jeff Weaver

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