It all began in 1994 when, at around the same time, we were approached by a work colleague and a friend for advice on how to trace their birth families. Why? because we were involved in tracing our family trees.

The work colleague was adopted through Barnardo's and as a result we gained an insight into how the adoption process worked. After some research she was able to travel to Ireland and meet up with her family of half-brothers and sisters.

Our friend had been searching on and off for ten years and getting nowhere. After carrying out research we found his birth mother living not 8 miles from him and a reunion took place in our living room. He had gone through the process of applying for his file through Social Services and as a result of his success he went back to them and 'sang our praises'. Following a meeting with a Social Worker we found ourselves giving up our evenings and weekends to meet people in our home and at theirs and so in 1995 Missing Links was born.

We have lost count of the number of people we have helped. We have had clients from all over the world, the only thing in common is a birth and adoption in the U.K.

As we have discovered over the years, success cannot be guaranteed. even when someone is found there is always a small minority of people who do not want to know.

As we have grown we have found our time has been taken up ever increasingly by research and tracing people. This, together with a change in legislation at the beginning of 2008, means we are unfortunately no longer in a position to act as intermediaries for contact. Following the introduction of the new legislation this role has expanded across Local Authority Social Service Departments and the Adoption Agencies themselves. Once our research has provided sufficient information to locate a birth parent we will supply you with this information. You then have the choice of either making contact yourself or through an intermediary. We would always suggest the intermediary route and will provide details at this time of which agencies may be the better options in your individual case.

These are a few extracts from the many letters, emails and cards we receive:

*The whole family are thrilled with the outcome and they plan to meet in the near future. I am obviously delighted that you managed to trace the family as I suggested your Company for the search. Well done and thank you...M.L. (Bordeaux, France)

* I felt it was time to write and tell you how impressed I am with the work you have done with and for people I've seen for birth records counselling. Everyone of them is glowing about the service you offer ...many thanks for helping people find out more about those "missing links" ...B.B. (Social Worker)

* Just a short note to thank you for sending off the enclosed card for me, also I must thank you for helping my daughter get in touch with me. It has made me so very happy...A.T. (Derbyshire)

* Thank you very very much for helping me find my Dad.....I wouldn't have got this far without you ...C.B (Surrey)

* Many thanks for all your help, I really appreciate all you are doing and know that everything will be dealt with sensitively ...S.G. (Essex)

* Just to say thanks for all you've done finding my brother and sister...M.J. (Notts)

* Thank you for all your efforts in locating my unknown family, you have been really great and supportive......C.B. (Leics)

Hopefully we can also succeed for you, should you decide to use our services. If not then may we wish you all success in your quest

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Missing Links, Cherry Cottage, Brailsford, Ashbourne, DE6 3DA, U.K.
Missing Links is registered under the Data Protection Act. Registration No. Z6548451
©2008 - Missing Links