History of Parent Finders

Parent Finders (Canada) began as a volunteer-run organization in Vancouver, B.C. in August 1974, to provide a support group for adult adoptees, birth relatives and adopting parents. Today, Parent Finders groups are active in most Canadian provinces. We also maintain ties with post-adoption activist groups throughout the United States, England and Australia.

The primary aim of Parent Finders is to promote a feeling of openess and understanding about the whole concept of adoption.

Services may include: General counseling Professional counseling Direction on where to obtain background information Support in searching Providing, where requested, skilled intermediaries to make a discreet first contact to the party being sought Maintaining the Canadian Adoption Reunion Register (CARR) wherein birth information can be confidentially filed.

The National Office coordinates the overall work of the groups, and lobbies certain provincial social service departments. Each Parent Finders Group operates autonomously through its own volunteer executive, serving the needs of its local members. Copies of each member's birth information are forwarded to CARR to be entered in the Reunion Register. Registrations are entered in the computer by birth date and cross-referenced by birth name, where known. When a match occurs the group leaders are advised so that they can assist their member to facilitate the most efficient reunion. The results of the reunion are forwarded to CARR for tabulation.

This Prince Edward Island branch of Parent Finders began in August 2006 to help fill the need of search and support to serve Adoptees, Birth Relatives, Birth Siblings and Fostered Adults searching for their biological roots.