UK’s “Long Lost Family” Now with a US Production in the Works
I was contacted by the US production company for this upcoming new TV series that will be dealing with adoption searches and the like. They have asked that this information to be shared within AdoptionLand:
Are you looking for a long lost relative?
Do you need assistance with your search?
LONG LOST FAMILY, the TV documentary series that aims to reunite family members, is looking for participants.
If you are desperate to trace a lost family member and have been searching with no success, the Long Lost Family team would like to hear from you – perhaps we can help (at no cost to you).
Are you a mother hoping to reunite with a child you were unable to raise, an adult adoptee looking for a biological parent, a family separated years ago by custody disputes or family rifts?
We understand that this is a very emotional quest and we will always be very sensitive to seekers who respond to us.
LONG LOST FAMILY will be broadcast on TLC. It is produced by Shed Media, the production company behind the popular genealogy series “Who Do You Think You Are?” and “Super Nanny”.
To learn more about the series or to apply, please email THE SHOW ( NOT THIS BLOG) with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680. We look forward to hearing from you.
For TLC and by the “Who Do You Think You Are” Folks
I’ll admit I really like “Who Do You Think You Are“, so I was kind of excited to see them tackling actual adoption searches. I did go and check out a few of the UK LONG LOST FAMILY episodes to see how the stories are handled. There are 6 completed seasons in the UK and they did win awards as well. Like “Who Do You Think You Are”, I see a certain level of sensitivity and understanding towards the issues.
There was a pilot that did show in the states on TLC back in March and that went well enough to give a go ahead on the series. I did not see it myself and haven’t found it online, though there is a video clip of it here.
I did also speak to the casting director personally as we know, all too often, adoptees and adoption stories are used for pure entertainment purposes and only tend to continue to spread the mythology and adoption marketing messages, rather than be of any real help to anyone. I am happy to say there is no association with Troy Dunn. And again, I was satisfied with what they were saying and how they plan on approaching the issues. I see that my dear friend and fellow birthmother, Leslie MacKinnon, also spoke to them and came back with the same overall feeling back last year.
So Why Turn to the Media for an Adoptee Search?
The obvious benefit for anyone who is searching and keeps finding a dead end is that perhaps a whole team can break down some doors that might otherwise be closed to you. For anyone who has gone through the trials and tribulations of a search; getting your state issued non ID, trying to decipher the truth from the limited information, contact the adoption agency/ baby brokers; it’s daunting. While I am normally a huge proponent of using our own wonderful Search Angels, I certainly cannot begrudge anyone who decides to take a different route.
Now since the show originally was a UK production, and the UK has open records/ OBC access; I did make a point of asking if they are going to at all address the legal and political issues regarding Adoptee Rights or lack of in the USA. So while they don’t plan on “covering” the issue.. aka.. making a huge statement, there is an understanding that these issues WILL come up and depending on the person who is the “subject” of the show, will be addresses in the normal flow of the show. I was satisfied to hear that there was not a requirement to have any more “political” concerns getting edited out and of course, I will hope that perhaps the opportunity to discuss the reality and issues of adoptee discrimination might be appeal to some.
Or maybe I will come right out and say it: it would be really GREAT of someone choose to answer the casting call not only for search help, but because it would be a great opportunity to educate others!
However, even if that dream of mine didn’t really happen; I do like seeing the reality of adoption searches provided to the more mainstream population. There certainly isn’t anything wrong that can come of more folks understanding that the need and desire to find one’s lost family is a human need and shared by many. I think that can only help open the door and get people thinking about these adoption issues in a new way. I do believe that it is also beneficial to have the public see and hear from more adoptees, and more original families, and humanize us all. Not to mention that other adoptees can be validated by seeing others share that need to know and other mothers might also find some hope in the possibility of reunion.
Of course, I will always stay that ANYONE who is preparing for an adoption search must prepare themselves for the emotional aspects of a reunion and there isn’t enough reading that one CAN do. However, I do like the fact that the show’s hosts; Chris Jacobs and Lisa Joyner are also adoptees though Lisa is also an adoptive mom as well.
Of course the show won’t ONLY be about adoption searches. It can also be estranged family though divorce, life circumstances, etc. But considering what we all live and with the primal need to know; I expect a LOT of adoption. It is ALWAYS good when we have a reason to talk honestly and truthfully about how adoption affects our lives. So I am kind of hoping I see some familiar faces on TV.
Check out more information:
- The Current US Casting for LONG LOST FAMILY is also on Facebook.
- The UK page for the show is here.
Of course, if you care, please give a share about so that others might know of this opportunity should they want to check it out.
Found my birth uncle in my job at Kroger in a very unusual way only way to understand is by reading my actual storie the story has just began now I am in search of my birth mother and a birth father https://turnitin.com/pdf_download.asp?r=74.6976781475496&svr=09&lang=en_us&svr=09&oid=567891518&fe=pdf&fn=LIA_JENKINS.pdf&session-id=d0a6ddab905584ad7c6659efa5de9ed4&type=paper
My daughter was adopted by my brother ar 9 month’s old and knows I’m her birth mother, she has asked me to help her find her birth father. My daughter’s birth father’s sister did try to stay in contact via mail but lost contact, my daughter is 15 now and my brother and sister in law are not financially able to hire anyone. I do know for a fact the father was incarcerated in kansas, but was also deported to Mexico due to the fact it was my knowledge he was in the US illegally, that’s what he told me. The father’s family lived in Chicago the last we knew, the letter my daughter has from the father’s sister had a phone number from Chicago, plus himself and his sister visited there regularly while I was in contact with them. I could seriously use some help, there are no legal issues to deal with, and the father and his family knew I gave my daughter to my brother, we have always been open about everything for my daughter’s well being. If you can help us that would be a blessing.
Thank you for your time,
Jennifer
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I am an 57 year old man who has never meet his father. Please help me find him.
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I know that this is an adoption show but I have my own story that I think these people can help with. I haven’t seen my biological mother since I was 6 years old. A lot of things happened leading up to 6 including abuse and molestation. My biological mother did not believe me at 6 years old that her boyfriend could possibly do this to me so she put me in a foster home and kept the other two children(my biological brother at the time 4 and my half sister 10). If he was molesting me then why not my sis? that is what I got. My Father found out that I was in a foster home and immediately found an attorney that would grant him custody. The judge asked which parent I wanted to live with and whatever I chose my little brother would come with me. I chose my Dad even though I didn’t know him that well. Anything was better than the life I was living and I realized that at 6. I would either wound up being a drug addict or a young mom because that is what happens to abused children. I since have had an amazing life, joined the Army as an MP then got out. There are so many more details that I could share but I would need book space for that. Ultimately, I paid an investigating company $200 to find her and they could not. I told my brother this and that they found out she was dead so he would stop blaming me for picking the wrong parent….which he was too young to understand what I was going through and doesn’t remember the abuse. Now I would like to find her. Not only to see what kind of person she is but to understand why she left two children with no contact. I am 32 now, have a 7 month old and could not even imagine her mindset. I a interested in learning more and sharing my story.
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I have an amazing story that is worth sharing.
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I found my biological mother few years ago in Wichita Kansas she said it was easier to find a babysitter for 6 year old then it was a newborn so she gave me up for adoption when her fiance run out on her. Her and my brother went to California where I found them and it was a very joyous occasion a celebration. She had prayed that I would have a bunch of grandkids for her. I had 5 kids.my mom and dad who adopted me and my birth mother and her husband get along great. We all celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving and all the birthdays. I knew I was adopted my whole life. my mom and dad never kept anything from me. I love my life and I love it even more now. I have two mothers and two dads. Our lives could not be happier
Do you help People in Canada?
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
How do I sign up I never seen my mom and dad or brothers or sister’s I got adopted when I was little BC my step sister beat my brother for 7 hours when he was only 7 years old 🙁
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I was a foster parent in Westminster, Md. Two babies born ten months apart. Same mother different father. Debbie Stewert went to Washingtonn D.C and her half brother Danny Scott went to Washington,state. I am not the mother but I offended wondered how they turned out. I have no idea how to search for them.
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I am 65 years old, looking for the baby I gave up for adoption. I became pregnant after a date rape at the age of 16. I was put in an unwed mothers home until after I gave birth. I remember everything as if it were yesterday. Have thought about that child many times. Started trying to find out what I could this year. Didn’t even remember the exact date of the birth. I did manage to find that out, but have hit a road block. Would love to know all I can and let them know it wasn’t because I wouldn’t love them, but because I was so young. Hoping you find my case one that you would help. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I have four siblings I have never met. I don’t know if they are aware they have an older sister. I am soon to be 66 years old. I only found out about them around the year 2000. I do have some sketchy details about them. My mother lead me to believe someone else was my father. About three years my stepdad confirmed the man who was my biological father. Too late for me to meet him. I would love to meet my family hopefully with open arms. I’d like to know what kind of life they had, what my father was like. If they are against a meeting or don’t want to accept the fact that their father had another child I can accept the rejection but would like dna testing to confirm my connection to him and like some health information. I recently had cancer and that could possibly be information they would like to know. I hope you find my story interesting enough to possibly help me make a connection with my family.
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
My son was takin from me 23 years ago I was 21 his mother went to visit family never to return I’ve searched and searched for him I think about him daily I can not find him please help me
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I am a 61 year old female who has searched for her daughter (Denise Latrice Williams) this was her name when I gave birth in Jan 1970. There has not been a day gone by that I do not think about Latrice.
Please help to locate her, I would like to know Latrice is healthy and well.
Thank you in advance
To learn more about the series or to apply, please respond to this posting with your contact information, along with a paragraph about your situation and the family member you are searching for. Participants must be 18 years or older. Contact: longlostfamilyUSA@gmail.com or tel. 323-904-4680.
I am 65 years old and a widow. I gave up a child, which was the result of a date rape, at the age of 16. I have thought about the baby and what they may have grown up to be. Would like to locate them and meet if they would like the same.
my son was born daniel patrick walsh
dec 19, 1968 at martin luther hospital in anaheim, ca
dr harvey l higger was my doctor i have contacted the adoption agency
and he has not contacted them or me
email address is: irishlassy60@yahoo.com your website will not
accept it so i used an old one
I’m a 65 year old women who gave up her daughter in 1970 for adoption. I was 19 years old at the time and this was years before it was acceptable for an unwed mother to keep her child, or even abortion. (I never considered that as an option anyway.) I’ve searched and searched various website looking for her without any replies. Apparently, the state of Florida has very strict laws surrounding adoption records and I can’t access them. Perhaps you could help me? I know this is a TV show that would reveal all of my secrets, but I’m willing to face those facts just to get an opportunity to again meet my daughter. I remember those brief moments that I was allowed to hold her before she was taken from me to go to her adopting family. I prayed over her that she would become a much loved member of a very loving family. I wish that she and I could meet, or at least I could find out how her life has evolved. Thank you for your consideration.
mo noy name is Jason shepard my birth name was charles jason???? my whole life has been vary hard not noing my mother I NEED to no you if you no me please find me 850-516-0586 my birthday is 07/24/1977 i was born in newnan ga i was taken from you be 4 my 2ed b-day i pray everyday you miss and wont to have me in your life as bad as i wont my mom i love you mom and no i olny wont to no you god bless you and i pray that we finf each other
i would like to see my daughter for the first time n explain why i had to give her up