Judith O'Keefe (Waldman)
Birth date, May 17, 1956 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
I Am Searching for My Biological Family
Over the past several years, I have attempted to obtain information about my
biological family through the customary channels without success. This is largely
because my birth mother chose to remain anonymous through legal means available
to her at that time. She was not required to sign any documents, that I know
of, which would reveal her identity. This practice was not uncommon in Paris
in the 1950's and therefore there is a segment of adoptees in France known as
'X' Adoptees. Because of this decision, it has been impossible for me to establish
contact, or gain any information about my parents or relatives. My hope in creating
this web-site, is that someone with knowledge about the circumstances surrounding
my adoption, will see a family resemblance in the photographs, or recognize
the names and /or dates referenced below, and will contact me with information
that might be helpful.
The following information is a brief summary of the facts surrounding my adoption, taken from legal documents, and as told to me by my adoptive parents.
I was born in Paris on the 17th of May, 1956, and I am Caucasian. My mother gave birth in a private clinic, ³Les Cigognes² Clinique D'Accouchements, located at 66, Boulevard Victor-Hugo, 66, in Neuilly-sur-Seine. The attending physician was named Dr.Rene Pepin. He resided at 24, rue Doudeauville, Paris. (Dr. Pepin died in 1978. His wife, Isabelle and daughter, Catherine, were unable to help me).
My adoptive parents have told me that my birth parents were both Parisian and had relatives in Paris or the surrounding area. I have also been told that my mother was married at the time I was conceived. I don't believe her husband was my father. It is possible that her husband was in the French military. My mother was probably in her early to mid-twenties and had other children at the time of my birth.
My adoptive parents were Americans who were living in Casablanca, Morocco in 1956. Through a mutual friend, Sacha Ganzelevitch, my parents met Jane Moore who lived in Paris and worked for Lloyd's Bank; Mr. Ganzelevitch owned a restaurant in Casablanca, Le Clapotis. Mrs. Moore wrote to my parents and told them about a woman, my birth mother, who wished to give up her baby for adoption. Jane Moore was acquainted with Dr. Pepin. (Both Sacha Ganzelevitch and Jane Moore are no longer living).
My adoptive parents flew to France on May 16th. They remained in France, residing at the Hotel Terminus, 40 rue de la Republique, Orleans, until the 8th of June 1956, when the adoption was finalized and they were allowed to return to Morocco with me. I was known as Judith Marie Frances until the adoption was finalized. The name Judith Marie was given to me by my adoptive parents. A Monsieur George Godde, residing at 5, Avenue Philippe le Boucher, Neuilly-sur-Seine, represented me as tutor during the adoption proceedings, and also the lawyer, Maitre Jacques Masson, of Orleans. My adoptive parents were represented by Mr. Russell H. Porter, 64, bis rue de Monceau, Paris.
As was my parent's wish, I became a naturalized citizen of the United States at the age of three. I lived in Europe with my adopted parents until I was seven years old. We then moved to Marin County, California where I was raised as an ³only child².
I am searching for my biological family for the same reason many adopted children do: The desire to know and understand where I came from. To know more about where your personal history begins, is to understand more about yourself. To be raised by people who love and care for you as their own, is not the same as being their own. I feel fortunate to have been loved and guided into adulthood by two wonderful parents and I am very grateful for them. To search for, or find the people I come from does not change that fact. Yet, the longing to connect with one's roots is quite natural, and to find your source, satisfies the most basic of human needs.
I do understand that my birth mother chose to give me up for adoption and to remain anonymous, because she believed it was the best choice available to her at that time. I do not wish to disrupt her life. However, it is my deepest desire to know as much about my familial heritage as possible. If you can offer any information that might be helpful in my search, please contact me at :
judith@brianokeefephotos.com or
by calling 503-897-9986;
by fax 503-897-4908; or
by mail at:
Judith O'Keefe,
13220 S.W. Houston Lake Road
Powell Butte, Oregon
97753-1818
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Adoptive mother, Barbara Waldman Dr. Pepin and "Auntie" Jane Moore
Madam Pepin and daughter, Catherine
Passport Passport photo |
