Inasmuch as we seem to be talking past one another about "adoption," which has both a formal legal meaning and history as well as an informal and longer history, permit me to recommend a recent book on this very topic: E. Wayne Carp, Adoption in America: Historical Perspectives (University of Michigan Press, 2003). Brent Tarter The Library of Virginia [log in to unmask] Visit the Library of Virginia's web site at http://www.lva.lib.va.us To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html