Where to Find More Information
We recommend that you contact us first. We can tell you what to ask for and from whom, such as from Hong Kong, USA and UK government agencies. We can give you tips on how best to ask for records so that you have a greater chance of getting them. We’re happy to share our experiences, strategies and wisdom with you.
Some of us have even traced our birth families. We have contacts and experience doing this. We can thus help increase your chances of finding birth family and relatives.
Contact us at info@fanlingbabies.com
The rest of this page gives a few examples but for more detailed advice, send us email.
Request for Personal Records
Every adoptee from Hong Kong has the right to request a personal data search. Ask for your personal records from the Hong Kong Social Welfare Department. For example, birth certificate or social welfare report are records that may still be on file in Hong Kong.
This request can be done from abroad but be prepared to provide the necessary documents that prove your identity. Make sure to clarify that you are not requesting information on your birth parents when you make this initial request. You do have a legal right to your information but not necessarily your birth parents.
For more information, here is the website.
Request for Root Tracing
After obtaining your personal data, you may also consider asking for “root tracing.” Root tracing refers to asking for information specifically related to your birth parents. The birth parents’ right to privacy supersedes the rights of the adopted child under Hong Kong law. Thus, birth parent information can be denied to you without approval from the birth family.
There are a number of hurdles to overcome, for example, proving that you are a mentally stable person and not a danger to your birth parents, if birth parents exist do they want their information released to you, and finding birth parents. Send email to auenq@swd.gov.hk to ask for the current procedure to initiate root tracing.
Resources: Related Hong Kong Adoptee Websites
Hong Kong Adoptee search – read and post family search by adoptees & family members
UK Hong Kong Adoptees -blog site for HK adoptees living in United Kingdom
USA/Canada Hong Kong Adoptees – blog site for HK adoptees living in Canada and USA
Hong Kong Adoptee search (Chinese) – read/post search for HK adoptees in Chinese
Children’s Christian Fund – brief history, funded many of our HK orphanages
Evangel Children’s Home – established in 1956 to provide a Christian Home for orphans
Hong Chi Association – serving people with special needs and their families
Po Lueng Kuk Museum – museum showing history of PLK as a Hong Kong orphanage
Resources: Related Adoption Websites
International Social Services – arrange Hong Kong adoptions, branch established 1958
Social Welfare Department Government of Hong Kong – access personal records
The Adoption Project – resources on the history of adoption, theory and practice
USA Intercountry Adoption – USA State Department adoption process
British Adoption & Fostering Academy – Coram BAAF conducted a Hong Kong Adoptee study
Other Websites Specific to Hong Kong Adoptees
Tim Adams’ youtube video explains why we look for our birth relatives and Mum.
Fanling Babies Home Adoptee, Mandy, finds her Mom in 2014.
Books and Articles on Adoption
Adoption is for a Lifetime – an uplifting book written by an adoptee from Hong Kong
NPR Story About Adoption – joys and struggles of international adoption May 13, 2010
Muriel Tonge – missionary in China & HK, Supervising Nurse of St. Christopher’s Home
Coram BAAF Adoption books – recommended adoption related books for sale
Secret Riches: Home of Loving Faithfulness – Hong Kong children’s home biography
Yip Family by Jill Doggett – Mildred Dibden biography, founder of Fanling Babies Home and Shatin Babies Home