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Mary Woodard's Adoption Story

I was born January 10, 1965 in Philadelphia, PA. My mother, JENNIE MAE HARRIS, did not make it to the hospital in time and I was born at home. I was premature and was taken to the hospital shortly after my birth. I have no idea about the address of the home I was born in or to which hospital I was taken.

The first three years of my life are unknown to me except that my mother died in February, 1968. At that time, from what I've been told, my grandmother did some pretty hateful things because she blamed me for my mother's death. I was my mother's last live birth as she died from complications of a self-induced third trimester abortion. This is listed on her death certificate which my adopted mother gave me when I turned 18 years old. Why my biological grandmother blamed me I may never understand.

I was taken in by Lillian Wade after my mother's death. At this time, I was three years old. I have pictures of myself during this time. It is also during this time that I associated a young boy named Mark as being my brother. My adopted mother has verified that I do have a brother and in 1968 he was either 13 years old or 18 years old (she wasn't sure if he was 13 years older than me or not). Also, during the time I stayed with Mrs. Wade, I was taking art classes at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. One of the instructors is my adopted mother's sister and now my aunt. When Mrs. Wade died, another instructor from the college whose first name is Pat arranged to take care of me until the adoption could be finalized.

My adoption was finalized November, 1970 in Normal, Illinois. In the petition for adoption that my adopted parents had to file with the court, it states that I was known as MARY ELLEN HARRIS; MARY JONES AND MARY HARRISON. Why I was known by so many names is a mystery. I do know that on my mother's death certificate, she was living with an Arthur Jones who was listed as her father. At the time of her death, my mother was working as a maid. So that's my full story. I'm looking for any biological siblings I may have. I don't want to intrude into anyone's life, I just want to bring closure to this part of my personal history.

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