IOWASEARCH Adoption Search Resources is an Iowa dedicated site created
in the hopes of assisting myself as well as other post-adoption
searchers in their journey to find their lost loved ones.

IOWASEARCH mailing list at ONElist.com was created in 1998 and quickly
attracted many Iowa searchers since there are very few dedicated sites
to search for loved ones born in IOWA. Within six months, it was
obvious that there was a definite need for more Iowa dedicated search
resources as the mailing list was obviously thriving on the continuous
communication amongst the members via email with requests for state
adoption laws and volunteers to assist with legwork in Iowa adoption
searches. In April of 1999, I began the adventure of creating my first
website. Now, self taught in html and fairly fluent in various other
web development programs, I am in the process of starting a major
project to expand IOWASEARCH even further.

Currently, IOWASEARCH offers unmoderated membership to IOWASEARCH's
ONElist mailing list. The list contains database files of over 50
adoptees' and birth relatives' search information. There are many
members who not only are searching for someone, but are also more than
happy to assist each other in those searches. New members are warmly
welcomed by all of the IOWASEARCH members and often recieve lots of
new and useful search information very shortly after they have
joined the list. A "members only" chatroom was recently created
and linked to the list to make communication easier when an
individuals search becomes intense and messages offering luck and
soothing words of wisdom start to be exchanged frequently in just an
hours time.

IOWASEARCH offers a free registry form for searchers to post their
search information on. The information is added to the IOWASEARCH
database weekly. The database is sorted by birthdate, gender,
and birth location and currently contains about 50 Iowa post-adoption
related listings.

The IOWASEARCH message board is no longer limited to 90 days and
contains many searchers information.

There are lots of really helpful links for anyone searching for a
loved one in any location of the world.

IOWASEARCH is nearing the start of a huge expansion and makeover.
The planned changes should really make the IOWASEARCH community even
more of an assett to searchers in the midwest.