ADOPTIONEVOLVE is a website devoted to exploring adoption and the effects it has on natural families. Adoption is an institution that has gained enormous respect all across the world as being valuable to society, providing a service to the mothers who do not want their children and homes to children who would otherwise be left to fester in homes or on the street. Its image is so squeaky clean that these assumptions are never questioned or challenged.

What if what we have taken for granted until now is not true?

This website is divided into various sections to explore various aspects of adoption from another angle.

Mothers’ Stories contains testimonials from mothers all over the world who write about losing their children to adoption, challenging the myth that the typical natural mother is a lost woman, addicted to drugs or alcohol, and simply did not want her child.

Adoptees’ Stories is our opportunity to share our story. We may have had adoptive parents who gave us love and everything we needed, but expressing our sense of loss, grief, loneliness should not be taken merely as a sign of ingratitude. We often grew up surrounded by secrecy, where mere mention of the natural family was taboo. This is something which can have a devastating effect on our sense of self esteem, our ability to speak the truth and our ability to be in touch with our authentic self. Living in a cloud of gratitude we are merely people pleasers with no outlet for any real feeling.

In the News is regularly updated to bring you around the world news from the adoption world. As of October 2009, this section has moved to a Facebook page. You will find the link on the homepage.

The Blog section is my personal diary entry, sharing my feelings and thoughts about adoption, as I research and learn more about this huge subject. This section is only available to registered members.

Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please send them to adoptionevolve [at] gmail.com     *

Enjoy the site!

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a book about adoption

I am currently conducting research for a book about adoption, which will document the stories of British mothers who lost their children to adoption in the 1950s and 1960s, the so called baby boom era.

I have met with about 30 mothers so far, and have amassed a considerable amount of information.

Should you be a mother who was resident in the UK during this timeperiod, and would like to share your story – the background to your pregnancy, the reaction of your parents and friends, what support you were given, your experience in an unmarried mothers's home should you have stayed there, and the effects that the relinquishment has had on you, please contact me at

searchingformothers [at]  stephenfitzpatrick.com  

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This is a private project, self funded, with the following goals:

• To bring the hidden stories of first mothers to light

• To create a better understanding of the complex nature of adoption

• To encourage a better understanding between first mothers and adoptees

• To use this factual information to increase the possibility of a successful reunion

• To provide information that is healing for both mother and adoptee

• To create a sense of empowerment for first mothers who may feel that they are alone in their experience

I have not yet met any mothers from Wales or Ireland, so I would be particularly interested if you come from these areas.

I look forward to hearing from you!