Following the publication of this story in the Hamilton Spectator they have found one sister, Valerie. Now they have to find Rose Marie. Please read all the information Joanne has given us about her sister and help if you can.Hi everyone:
I thought it might help if I gave EVERYTHING I know about our sister Rose Marie Edwards. Her birthdate is July 7, 1954.
Maybe there is something I missed and someone will notice it.
Here is the non identifying information (word for word) I received about her:
YOUR THIRD ELDEST BIRTH SISTER
Joanne, your third eldest birth sister was born four years prior to your birth. When she became a Permanent Ward she was 7, and in Grade 3, She was doing well in school. She was placed with a foster family initially while the Society planned for her adoption. In december 1962 a psychological assessment was completed to assist with future planning for your sister. It suggested that she had a higher intelligence and greater assurance than was actually revealed by the test scores. She lacked emotional security indicating the need for a permanent placement. Much of her behaviour was representative of her desire for attention, approval and affection.
In January 1963, your birth sister was bed-wetting and ways of coping with this were shared with the foster mother. Your sister's age was hindering the search for an appropriate adoptive home but this was continuing throughout this time.
By February 1963, she was beginning to adjust to her foster home and she very much liked the school she was attending so it was decided this placement should continue until that summer to allow her to complete her year at that school. She had had a wonderful summer at this home and was placed in another foster home in September 1963.
At the new foster home, the foster parent found your birth sister to be no problem, and she had only bed-wet once between september and november. Your birth sister was said to be very aggressive at times and she very much needed to belong, as she felt insecure.
She was easy to discipline and she was also easy to talk to. The foster mother found her to be a very bright, sweet little girl and she liked her very much. Your birth sister would understand things on her first attempt. Her heacher described her as a very amiable girl with a sweet disposition. Your birth sister was very happy in this foster home.
In January 1964, your birth sister met her adoptive parents, when she was 9 years old. They had one birth daughter, age 13 at that time. Your birth sister was pleased that she would have an older sister. On January 10, 1964 she was placed on adoption probation with this family. Her adoptive parents were just thrilled with your birth sister, and they couldn't imagine life without her.
Your birth sister adjusted to this home very well and immediately wanted all of her dolls brought to the home. Your birth sister was welcomed with a cake from the neighbours and she was accepted easily into her adoptive family and their community.
The adoption probabtion period went very well, and her adoption was finalized in the late fall of 1964.
HER ADOPTIVE FAMILY
Your birth sister's adoptive parents applied to adopt a girl between the ages of 5 and 9 years of age. They had one daughter who was 10 years of age at the time of their application, and they wanted to adopt in order to complete their family, and to have a companion for their daughter.
Her adoptive mother was 39 years of age at the time of your birth sister's placement with them. She had been born in Ontario and was of Scottish and Swiss origin. She completed 3-1/2 years in high school, and then took a specialized commercial course.
She then completed one year of home economics in Guelph. She was first employed doing general office work until her marriage. She worked only part time after that and only for a short while.
She was an only child. She was described as being 5 feet, 1 inch tall, and quite petite. She had blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. Her father had died a few years before your birth sister was adopted, and her adoptive mother's mother lived with the family.
Her adoptive father was 42 years of age when your birth sister was placed with them. He was born in Scotland and took his accounting degree following high schoo. He had been employed as an accountant for a number of years.
His father was also born in Scotland and the family moved to Canada during the 1950's. Her adoptive father's father was 75 years of age, retired, and in good health. Her adoptive father's mother was also born in Scotland. She was fair in colouring and of medium height. She was also reported to be in good health.
His parents had a close relationship with the family and they were very happy about the decision to adopt. Her adoptive father had two brothers, both married with children. Like their father, they were dark in colouring and about 6 feet in height.
Her adoptive father was said to be friendly, outgoing and easy to talk to. He had fair hair with blue eyes and a fair complexion. He was 5 feet. 9 inches tall, and had a rather slight build.
Her adoptive parents were active in the Presbyterian church and they enjoyed reading and going to plays. They also liked to entertain at home and visit their friends and family. Her adoptive father was also active in Boy Scout work.
Her adoptive parents were in good health and were very well thought of in the community. Their older daughter was well-behaved and was a responsive girl who was quite mature and bright. She had a good understanding of adoption and she was eager to have a sister. She enjoyed school and was doing well there. She was described as having fair skin, with dark brown hair and she was of average height with a slim build. She was also in good health.
The maternal grandmother, who lived in the adoptive home, was said to be active and alert but becoming quite elderly. She was in favour of the adoption, and was most understanding and accepting of it.
Please help,
Joanne (email me)August 24, 2007
Dear Folks reading this letter,
I know the people in the genealogy community are helpful people and have a wonderful sense of what reuniting a family can mean. I am humbly asking for your help.
My brother, Andy, has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and has been given 3-4 months to live. His wish is to be reunited with all his brothers and sisters before he dies. I know that sounds blunt, but that's exactly what we are faced with and why I am pleading for your help.
I am 1 of 8 children separated by adoption. Our parents are Viola and Percy Edwards. Our mother is deceased; she died as a result of a car accident in 1972. My birth name is Patricia (Patsy) Edwards. All siblings are: Stella, Valerie, Percy, Rose, Julie, Billy, Patricia (me), Steven. We used to live at 250 King St W in Dundas Ontario, up until April 6, 1962, before we were taken by the (CAS) Children's Aid Society. The CAS in Hamilton Ontario handled our adoptions.
We lived together as a family until our oldest sibling was around 12 or 13 years old. We did family things, we played together, only to be ripped apart. Life was probably not good at the time, but we were a family, we loved each other. Our older siblings remember all the times we shared together, all this time they have loved us all and missed us terribly.
I was adopted with my birth brother (Steven). My birth sister Julie, and birth brother Billy were also adopted together. Steven, Julie, Percy, Stella and I have reunited (see photo). We have also now located Billy.
We are still searching for our 2 sisters. It has taken me over 25 yrs, searching daily to find these siblings. I have registered on every adoption registry I can find, belong to adoption search groups, sent information in to ISRR.net, have facebook, myyearbook, myspace, reunion.com, everything I can think of to find our siblings.
The information that I have for the siblings we are still searching for is:
VALERIE MARTHA EDWARDS, born Sept 24, 1951
ROSE MARIE EDWARDS, born July 7, 1954More information:
VALERIE entered care at age 10 on April 6, 1962. She was placed in foster care immediately, which ended up being her permanent home. Her adoption was finalized early 1964. Her adoptive parents had 6 children. Her adoptive father was a railway engineer.
ROSE MARIE entered care at age 7 on April 6, 1962. She was placed in foster care. She stayed in foster care until age 9. Her adoption was finalized in the late fall of 1964. I believe her adoptive father was an accountant. They had 1 older daughter at the time.
I have made a blog at http://joanne311space.blogspot.com/, hoping I would be more "findable" if my siblings are looking for me.
We need some help dealing with the Children's Aid Society of Hamilton Ontario. We need people to talk about my brother's situation with their family and friends and ask questions of anyone you know who fits the description of our two missing sisters or anyone who may know anything - there is something to the idea that we are all only separated by six degrees. I am hoping you will help us in anyway that you can. This is very important to us all now as our time together is limited.
We have applied for an Emergency Medical Search for our 2 sisters that we have not yet found. My little brother (I was adopted with him) has terminal pancreatic cancer. He cannot be operated on. His time is limited. His doctor gives him just months to live. He wishes to find our two sisters, Valerie and Rose Marie, while he still has the time to meet them, time to say "I love you" and time for a hug or two.
I filled out all the forms sent by the Adoption Disclosure Registry, got his doctors to fill out all the forms, and sent them in. I got a letter back saying they cannot accept his application. They say that finding our sisters will not prevent, diagnose, or treat his condition. This is not entirely true. His doctor even put on the form that finding his sisters will benefit him mentally and emotionally.
My brother is dying and they will not help him leave this world a little happier knowing that he has had a chance to reconnect with ALL his siblings.
I phoned the Adoption Disclosure Registry and was told that they will not give me any information. I asked to speak to a supervisor and was told one would call me back. I waited a few hours with no call and phoned back. I was told they are reviewing my file and maybe in a couple days they will call me back. The final word from the supervisor was that she couldn't help us.
She says by law she cannot give me any information. She says they cannot do this on compassionate grounds; they used to but not now. She also says that she can only pass on information to our siblings if it is life threatening. Pancreatic cancer is life threatening; my brother is dying from this disease, and they very well could have it too or be predisposed to having it. Without family medical information, which adoptees are denied, doctors can't know what to look for, and look for it early enough so that there's a chance of treating it or curing it.
I must do everything I can to locate our sisters whether the ADR helps or not. This letter is one of my many attempts. I will call the media, tv, radio, newspapers, etc., whatever it takes to grant my dying brother his wish to reunite with all of his siblings.
We have been searching for our siblings daily for over 25 yrs. We have been separated for over 45 yrs. I think this is cruel and inhumane treatment. All we are asking for is to make our brother happy and of course to reunite our family after all this time.
My name is Joanne Brouwer, before adopted it was Patricia Edwards. My brother is Andy Brouwer, before adopted his name was Steven Edwards. My brother's doctor is Dr Wolch, or Justin Cheung at the U of A Hospital here in Edmonton.
My brother went to the Cross Cancer Clinic yesterday to see the doctor. There is nothing they can do for him. He has just months left. His doctors were honest in telling him how very difficult it will be for him at the end. It broke my heart and I just sobbed.
I don't know what more to do. I would appreciate any help any of you can give me. If any of this sounds even vaguely familiar, if any of the names ring a bell or strike a chord, if you lived on our street or in our neighborhood or know someone who did, if you know someone from Ontario who might be adopted (they may not speak of it often), if you have a media connection that will help us, please get in touch with me.
Adoption touches the lives of millions of people. Just talking about my brother's wish to your friends and relatives may result in a reunion being possible for us.
My brother and I thank you for reading this and sharing these details with everyone you know.
Joanne Brouwer
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Email MeIf you have information and would prefer to remain anonymous, please send it to the the owner of this site at ISTG Adoption