The following is a recent, short success story from one of the SGS Library Researchers, Pat Rongey.

JJ (pseudo name) happened upon the library’s Siuslaw Room one day, after hearing it was a place where “people help a person find their family”. I learned JJ was adopted as an infant and well cared for throughout his life by a couple in Georgia. When we initially met, JJ did not possess his adoption records, but claimed to know his birth date and place of birth. Could I help him, he asked. He also had several documents from his early life, such as baby checkup records (which revealed family health information), and his birth father’s occupation.  After working with JJ, reviewing results of a DNA test, and many hours of research tracing blood lines, we were eventually able to identify his birth family! Most of his blood relatives still reside in Georgia. Although his birth parents are deceased, JJ was able to connect with an adopted brother. During our last conversation, JJ’s final remark to me was, “after all these years, my circle is finally complete. Thanks to the Siuslaw Genealogy Society and our wonderful library.”
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Picnic slideshow available for viewing HERE.