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Archiver > APG > 2004-01 > 1074126992


From: "Cheri Casper" <>
Subject: RE: [APG] RE: Is an adoption the end of the line?
Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 16:36:40 -0800
In-Reply-To: <NGBBJDFGELMCEMKJEOJJCEHDDFAA.barb@johnwylie.com>


Barbara - This is so eloquently set forth that I am keeping this post. I
see this argument on lists all of the time and the "purists" really irk me.
My sister adopted her two step-children and then had her own children and I
don't love them any differently. Truth be known, I'm probably more attached
to the adopted ones because I was around when they were small and got do all
of the requisite "auntie" duties.

I do as you suggest . . . clearly mark those children who are members of the
family through the heart. Fortunately my lineage based software will
identify such family connections clearly on any charts that I produce so
there can be no ambiguity.

CheriC



-----Original Message-----
From: Barbara Brixey Wylie [mailto:]
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 3:31 PM
To:
Subject: [APG] RE: Is an adoption the end of the line?


Catherine Foote Lynn wrote "I have found that my paternal grandmother was
adopted. What is the professional community stance on adoption as relates to
"inclusion" in a family line? Is it just a dead end?"

This is a subject about which I have strong feelings, having raised my three
step-children and having a husband who is the most active grandfather in the
lives of grandchildren who do not carry his genes. (By the way, we are on
good terms with both our exes and their current spouses.)

Identify it as an adoption and research either line or both. None of us
spring from the womb with our education, socialization, ethics, and values
developed. The "family of nurture" guides that. When our natal family and
our nurturing family are not the same--or when we have both--we need not
exclude either of them.

Some lineage societies do require a blood line. Those of us who strive to
know the whole person in the context of his real-world experience only limit
ourselves to that if we need a kidney transplant!

Barbara Brixey Wylie







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