Introducing Sheila Knies – OmniTrace Adoption Search Consultant

We enjoy profiling members of our OmniTrace staff to readers of our blog and to those who are considering retaining our people search and adoption search services.

Today we want to introduce Sheila Knies, who is a member of our Search Consultant Department.  We asked Sheila to provide a little background information about herself:

“Sheila Knies, a former Pan Am flight attendant, has a BA degree in Spanish and a Masters degree in Bicultural-Bilingual Education.  She has been married for 25 years and has two children, both in their early 20s. 

Her interest in adoption searches began when her daughter’s closest friend asked her to help locate her birth mother years ago.  She searched for six years and found out how impossible these searches were to do.  Sheila was thrilled when she found OmniTrace.  It was wonderful to discover a company whose main focus was to reunite families.  Wanting to assist in this goal, she applied for the position of Adoption Search Consultant and presently works in that position to this day.”

In future posts, we’ll introduce other members of our OmniTrace staff.  Please call or write us with any questions you may have.  Sheila and our other search consultants would love to hear from you!

Toll Free 1-888-965-6696

Email:  info@omnitrace.com

Open Adoption Records In Colorado!

Open Adoption Records In Colorado

(Special thanks to Joan of nyadoptees who notified us about Colorado Open Adoption Records.)

Great news for those adopted in Colorado who are searching for their birth parents.  Persons adopted in Colorado will soon have access to their original birth records, as long as their adoption was finalized between July 1, 1951 and June 30, 1967.

OmniTrace contacted the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to confirm that Colorado open adoption records will soon be available.  They have informed us that forms will be available to request original birth certificates on June 29, 2009.

In addition, Richard Uhrlaub, Co-Director of Adoptee in Search/Colorado’s Triad Connection,  has indicated that Read More

Have An Old Address Of A Missing Person?

If you are searching for a missing person and have their old address, here is a FREE investigative trick, provided by the head of our OmniTrace research department–Chris Maione.  This may allow you to identify and contact prior neighbors of your subjecct:

First, visit free web resource www.zillow.com. 

1. At the top of the Zillow homepage, there is field where you can input your missing person ’s old address. 
2. After submitting your search, you will see a map of the neighborhood where your missing person once resided (you can view this map in street view, aerial view and hybrid view). 
3. The old address, that you submitted will appear, as well as tiny icons that represent homes surrounding the address you submitted. 
4. By clicking on the icons, you will obtain exact address information. 
5. Jot down the addresses surrounding your subject’s old address.  In particular, you will want the addresses on the left, on the right and directly across the street from the old address of your subject.

Then, visit free web resource www.whitepages.com. 

1. On the upper center of the home page, click on Read More

Marriage Records – Great Resource When Conducting A BirthMother Search

Accessing marriage records can be very helpful when conducting a birthmother  search.   In most instances, you are trying to develop your birthmother’s married name.    

(Of course, searching marriage records can help anyone who is searching and working with only a maiden name.) 

Marriage records may contain:

• Maiden and married name of birth mother
• Dates of birth of birthmother and groom
• Date of marriage
• Place of marriage
• Birth places of birthmother and groom
• Addresses of birthmother and groom
• Parents of birthmother
• Employment information
• Religious affiliations
• Previous marriages
• Divorce information
• Relatives of birthmother and groom
• Social Security Numbers (sometimes)
• Witness names

Please note:  Information obtained from marriage records will vary greatly from Read More