The Foundling has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of people since we took in our first abandoned baby.  Record Information maintains records on Orphan Train Riders and on people who have been in foster care or adopted.  Former foster children may request information from their records. For inquiries, please call 212-206-4171 or send a request for information to:

New York Foundling
Record Information Department
Attn:  Yvonne Wintz
590 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10011

Please note:  For privacy reasons, no inquiries may be addressed via email.

The Foundling is part of the New York State Adoption and Medical Information Registry.  We are happy to provide non-identifying and medical information to adults who have been adopted.  Adopted parents may also receive medical information.  When authorized by New York State, we may be able to provide identifying information to birth parents, siblings, and adoptees.  We follow New York State laws and abide by the ethics of confidentiality.

Whenever possible, we respond to inquiries from those who have a history with us personally or, after their deaths, to their first degree relatives: their children and grandchildren. (We regret that due to the volume of requests we receive, we are unable to respond to inquiries regarding aunts, uncles and cousins).  We strive to locate information from all possible sources, but although our record keeping techniques have always been excellent, they were not perfect.  Unfortunately some of the microfilm and microfiche has deteriorated over time.

We are privileged to help our clients rebuild their personal stories.   For the first time, many people begin to understand why they were placed into care and the circumstances of their family’s life.  This knowledge gives our clients a greater understanding of their past and helps diminish the painful sense of secrecy and loss that many have carried. Most of our clients take away a stronger sense of self and connection to the Foundling.