I am desperate to solve the 'missing children' saga that haunts my family. All these adopted children had tragic lives, very very sad stories.

My mother and her twin sister were adopted by Everett and Laura Blackman at Waldport, Oregon, in 1932. But, they had other siblings who were also adopted. I have managed after many years to find all but 2 of the children. And believe me, it has taken a lot of digging, phone calls, etc. A search that goes back to 1977, when I was just 18.

The missing children are my mother's sister, Betty Jane (possibly called Bonnie) adopted last name unknown. Born 1931, died young, supposedly suicide. I assume by 1950 or so. She was said to have lived at Coos Bay area Oregon. Family stories say she was found hanging in a closet.

The second missing child is my mother's brother, Kenneth (McNeil), born in 1934. Lived in either the Willamette Valley or in Lane County Oregon. Died in Eugene area at 16 or so, suicide. Supposedly, the family he lived with went on vacation, locked him in the garage, and he killed himself.

The blood parents were Brinton Wallace McNeil and Florence Irene Chetwood. They lived outside of Eugene, Oregon and adopted out all but one child (Brinton (Bob, Red) McNeil Jr. They did stay in touch with all the children, at least in the early years. I assign no judgement, no blame for the adoptions, after all these are my grandparents and I love them.

The (7) children: Brinton Wallace McNeil, Jr (Born 1929), Betty Jane (Born 1931), Janice Nan and Janet Ann McNeil Blackman (born in 1932), Betty Doreen McNeil Oakland (born in 1933), Kenneth McNeil (born 1934), Patty (born 1938) died at birth.

I want to unite the 2 missing children with their real heritage and family history for posterity sake and sentimental reasons. I realize they had adopted families who cared about them too (hopefully) but they also belong to a long line of McNeils, a line they have a every right to be connected with. It was not their fault they were disconnected from their real families.

That said, if anyone has any info please let me know. All names can be found on the Brinton Wallace McNeil family tree. Also by searching on Find A Grave (the birth and death info is incomplete of course). Pictures of children are attached.

In an online search names can be found as:
Betty Jane McNeil (born 1931)
Kenneth McNeil (born 1934)

I have no idea if all the children were even legally adopted, the doctor was called Dr. Johnson (Corvallis) and seems it might have been a backroom affair. As for Kenneth, he may have just lived with a different family. Since both missing children eventually committed suicide it is all the more reason to find out who they were and what happened to them. All connected parties are dead now, no one is alive to validate any facts or details, and the adoptions were rarely discussed by the involved families throughout the years.

First Image: Betty Jane (blonde) and school friend, likely about 1948
Second Image: Betty Jane (right) and her brother (left) Brinton McNeil Jr. (1937-1938)
Third Image: Kenneth (Kenny) McNeil with dog, age 16 (about 1949-1950)
Fourth Image: Kenneth (Kenny) McNeil with birthday cake, age 6 (about 1940)

Thanks!