Re: uncle's adoption
ADOPTIVE SURNAME WAS CHRISTIANSON
Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email) In Response To: uncle's adoption (Barb Longerbone)
Date: 8/29/2018 at 20:33:42
Are you absolutely certain that your uncle was born in Davenport, Scott County, Iowa? I did some searching and I believe that he was born in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa instead. This is based on his baptismal record on May 15, 1921 when he was 11 weeks old, which definitely says he was born on February 25, 1921 in Des Moines. A trip to adopt an infant from Gowrie to Des Moines was only 75 miles each way while a trip to Davenport was 250 miles each way. Baptismal records for his brother, Graydon, indicate his place of birth as Mason City.
I am almost certain that the official adoption records would have been filed with the Webster County Clerk of Court. The date of July 1, 1941 is significant in that official "sealing of adoption records" began on that date.
I am linking the form, "Affidavit Requesting Opening of Sealed Adoption Records" Since the adoption occurred prior to July 1, 1941, indicate on the affidavit that Iowa Law does not require you to provide "good cause." This amendment of Chapter 600, Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption, should expedite the process for you.
https://dhs.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/Adoption_Affidavit.pdf
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