Adoptees decide to search for their biological family for a variety of reasons, and many resources are available to provide guidance during this process. The following list represents a selection of the literature available to persons considering search and reunion. Please note that resources are limited concerning transnational adoption search and reunion, as well as adoptions that were consequences of forced separation. Most literature should be available at a local library and/or book store.

• Askin J. 1982. Search: A Handbook for Adoptees and Birthparents. New York: Harper & Row.
• Bailey J., Giddens L. 2002. Adoption Reunion Survival Guide: Preparing Yourself for the Search, Reunion, and Beyond. New Harbinger Publications: Oakland.
• Howe D., Feast J. 2000. Adoption, Search & Reunion: the long term experience of adopted adults. London: Children's Society.
• Schooler J., Norris B. 2002. Journeys After Adoption: Understanding Lifelong Issues. Westport: Bergin & Garvey.
• Schooler J. 1995. Searching for a Past: The Adopted Adult's Unique Process of Finding Identity. Pinon Press: Colorado Springs.

A transnational adoptee from Korea spoke about searching for birth parents. Portions of this speech can be accessed by clicking here.

Resources for Transnational Adoptees and their Families

Pro Búsqueda is one of the first organizations of its kind to conduct this extraordinary and difficult work. Adding to the challenges of being a pioneer in this field, much of Pro Búsqueda's work is done on a multi-cultural and a multi-national platform. The following literature can be helpful in developing an understanding of the different experiences faced by transnational adoptees.

Of particular relevance to persons considering contacting Pro Búsqueda is the book suggested below titled Outsiders Within. This book is a collection of writings by transracial adoptees, with one entry written by a Salvadoran who was adopted by a family in the United States and returned to El Salvador for a family reunion some years ago. Links are provided where available:

• Affleck M., Steed L. 2007. "Expectations and Experiences of Participants in Ongoing Adoption Reunion Relationships: A Qualitative Study." Ongoing Adoption Reunions, Curtin University of Technology.
• Campbell L., Silverman P., Patti P. 1991. Reunions between Adoptees and Birth Parents: The Adoptees' Experience. Social Work. Vol 36, No 4.
• Diamond J. 1987. "Abducted orphans identified by grandpaternity testing," Nature, Vol 327.
• Freundlich M. "Access to Information and Search and Reunion in Korean American Adoptions: A Discussion Paper."
• Kirton D., Feast J., Howe D. 2000. "Searching, reunion and transracial adoption," Adoption and Fostering Vol 24, No 3.
• Larson E. "Did I Steal My Daughter? The Tribulations of Global Adoption," Mother Jones, Nov/Dec 2007.
• Linbald F, Vinnerljung B., Hjern A. 2003. "Intercountry Adopted Children as Young Adults: A Swedish Cohort Study," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. Vol 73, No 2.
• Petta G., Steed L. 2005. "The Experience of Adoptive Parents in Adoption Reunion Relationships: A Qualitative Study," American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. Vol 25, No 2.
• Selman, P. 2002. "Intercountry adoption in the new millenium: the 'quiet migration' revisited,"_ Population Research and Policy Review, Vol 21.
• Silverman P., Campbell L., Patti P. 1994. "Reunions between Adoptees and Birth Parents: The Adoptive Parents' View." Social Work, Vol 37, No 4.
• Speirs C., Duder S., Sullivan R. 2005. "Mediated reunions in adoption: findings from an evaluation study." Child Welfare 84(6):843-66.
• Szejner C. 2006. "Intercountry adoptions: Are the biological parents' rights protected?" Washington University Global Studies Law Review.
• Trenka J., Oparah J., Shin S., 2006. Outsiders Within: Writing in Transracial Adoption. South End Press: Cambridge, MA.
• Valley S., Bass B., Speirs C. 1991. "A Professionally Led Adoption Triad Group: An Evolving Approach to Search and Reunion." Child Welfare May/June, 363-379.
• Volkman T. 2003. "Transnational Adoption," Social Text. 74, Vol 21, No 1.
• Yngvesson B. 2003. "Adoption, Loss of Bearings, and the Mythology of Roots," Social Text. Vol 21, No 1.

Transnational Adoptee Networks

Seeking information about one's adoption and receiving information about birth parents can trigger many feelings. The Child Welfare Information Gateway maintains a database with almost 900 adoption-related groups that can help in dealing with the different challenges that arise during search and reunion. This is a good starting point for adoptees and adoptive parents who would like to learn about appropriate groups and services that are geographically convenient. An additional resource that can be helpful is adoption.com with specific resources for adoptees as well as adopted parents .

Pro Búsqueda has the contact details of persons in the United States who have previously been reunited with their biological families in El Salvador and who are willing to share their experiences with persons considering embarking on this journey. If interested in contacting such persons, contact Pro Búsqueda and an English-speaking staff person will respond to your inquiry.

A network for Salvadoran adoptees is currently being organized in Boston, Massachusetts. Robert McAndrews, a professor at Salem State College, is facilitating the network and can be reached by email. The network is open to all persons who have been adopted from El Salvador (even those who do not reside in the Boston area) and provides a setting for those who have met their biological families and those who may be interested in discovering more about their biological origins to meet about and discuss their common experiences and concerns.

Transracial adoptee blogs and websites

• A Birth Project
• Anna's Miracle
• In Third Space
• Tim's El Salvador Blog

About El Salvador

Books:

• Benitez S. Bitter Grounds. Picador, 1998
• Byrnes H. 1996. El Salvador's Civil War: A Study of Revolution. Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner.
• Gorkin M., Pineda M., Leal G. 2002. From Grandmother to Granddaughter: Salvadoran Women's Stories. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
• Murray K., Barry T. 1995. Inside El Salvador: The Essential Guide to Its Politics, Economy, Society, and Environment. Albuquerque, New Mexico: The Resource Center Press.

DVDs:

• Voces Inocentes. Director Oscar Torres. Altavista Films and Lawrence Bender.