I am hoping someone that has a little more experience with the research can help me out as I am relatively new at this and have a heck of a challenge on my hands. My mother in law Patricia Marie Thomas DOB 12/5/45 is my challenge.

She does not know what state she was born in, has no birth certificate, and remembers being adopted Sept of 1957. She thinks she may have been born in Maryland as she remembers living in Baltimore as a young girl. There has been mention of Oklahoma, and a reservation for her location of birth though.

Her surname changed from Thomas to Stapleton sometime after being adopted though she can't remember when. She does have a half sister Shirley Abell whom says they share the same mother Rose Abell born abt 1883 in Macon Georgia died possibly 1957 in Kansas City. MIL thinks her biological fathers name was Charles C.

I have found Rose on the 1940 census with Shirley's father, but so far that is the only luck I have had. Does any one have any suggestions on moving further forward with MIL or her parents? I have searched several websites for a birth certificate, but no luck so far.

If anyone has any helpful information, my Mother in law and I would both be grateful!