From: JoAnne Greenstone - jolivia76@hotmail.com
Subject: Italian - born 4/12/56 in Passaic NJ

I recently found out that I was adopted. I'm hopeful that you or your organization might be of help in finding my birth family.

Two genetic tests confirmed that I was indeed adopted. The first proved that I was not related to my known relatives. The second showed that I am of maternal Italian/Sicilian descent (I was raised in a Russian/German household). Also, over the years, I learned that I have a rare genetic disorder, Myotonia Congenita or Thompson's disease that causes my eye, jaw, hand, and leg muscles to stiffen and not release for about a minute.

The vault copy of my Passaic New Jersey birth certificate fraudulently lists my adoptive parents' names as my birth parents, yet other entries onto my birth certificate leads me to believe that some facts are of my birth family. It lists my parents' ages at the time of my birth April 12, 1956 as 37 and 39 (vs. 30 and 33 for the parents who raised me in New York), my father's occupation as a trucking business (vs. office manager), and that I was the FIFTH child born to my mother (I was raised as an only child). I have siblings, something I longed for my entire life!

Courts have no record of my adoption, substantiating what I was told - that I was a 'black market baby' - bought by the parents who raised me, and not at all legally adopted. My siblings and neighbors were probably told a lie - that "the baby" (me) died. I assure you I am alive and well!

It absolutely haunts me that I have no medical or family history or roots. My situation could ring a bell with one of your members (perhaps one of my relatives or a neighbor who knew of my family) who can lead me to my birth family. Can you please help me with my search? Can I post this letter or another just listing the pertinent facts on your website or in your newsletter?

May God bless you for your help,
JoAnne Greenstone

Pictures of Joanne:

JoAnne Greenstone - Recent Photo

JoAnne - 40 years old

JoAnne - 25 years old

JoAnne - 10 years old

JoAnne - 5 years old

If you recognize JoAnne and might know who her parents or siblings are...please contact her via e-mail here: jolivia76@hotmail.com