Family Trees & Adoption
Placing adopted children on a family tree opens up complicated emotions for everyone involved. Depending on the circumstances, the biological parents might not be known. Listing according to genealogical standards means that adopted children will not appear on the tree in the manner as biological children. Careful consideration of feelings should take place over what is considered the genealogical standard.
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Biological Family
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List the biological parents of the adopted child whenever possible. In a family tree, the biological children appear on the tree, adopted children usually are placed in the notes section. When the biological parents are unknown, then the child is listed with the adoptive parents as an adopted child.
One Parent Adoption
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A married couple can have biological children and a child that is the biological child of one parent and an adopted child of the other parent. When this is the case, the adopted child will appear in the family tree of the biological parents and then the child will be listed with the adopted parent in a notes section.
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Two-Parent Adoption
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When both parents adopt a child, if the biological parents are known, then the child should appear in the family tree with the biological family. The adopted child is listed in a notes section for the adopted family.
Genealogical Standards
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According to the book "Professional Genealogy" by Elizabeth Shown Mills, genealogical standards dictate that children are listed with their biological parents. Depending on the family tree format, adopted children can be listed with the adoptive parents as long as it is noted that the relationship is not a biological one. This is especially true when the family tree is being used for family purposes only and not to prove lineage. Mills has published numerous books on genealogy.
Considerations
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Considerations of feelings are important when deciding how to list adopted children on a family tree. The purpose of the tree is another consideration. If the family tree is for family purposes only, then listing the adopted children on the tree is acceptable, especially if there are strong feelings about this. If the family tree is being used to document heritage for consideration in a heritage society or for admission to a American Indian tribe, then proper genealogical standards must be adhered to and the adoptive children must be notated in the notes area of the adoptive parents.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit family tree image by Judy Ben Joud from Fotolia.com
