In 1968, 166,000 babies and kids were placed for adoption in the United States. Timothy Michael Dodd was one of those 166,000.

On May 10, 1968, Tim made his grand entrance into our world at a Binghamton-area hospital, weighing in at a healthy 7 lbs, 13 oz. Shortly after his birth, Tim was adopted by Harry and Carol (Reifler) Dodd of Binghamton. In a Facebook plea asking for help to locate his family, Tim explains that adopted parents gave him a beautiful life,

They were amazing parents and gave me everything a child could hope for.”

Tim’s adoptive mother passed away in 1988, and his adoptive father in 2014. Neither of his adoptive parents ever hid from Tim that he was adopted. However, out of respect for the amazing individuals who raised him as their own, Tim refrained from searching for his birth family until both of his adoptive parents were gone.

Through extensive research and hours of communication with various agencies, Tim has been able to piece together enough information about his birth family and he’s hopeful that he’ll be able to locate them. Tim explains,

...I feel no shame or malice. I want for nothing except for the chance to know you and my brothers and sisters - your sons and daughters. I have thought of you often and always will.”

Tim Dodd
Tim Dodd
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According to the records that Tim has been given by local agencies, his birth mother was in labor for 4 hours and 25 minutes. At the time of his birth, Tim’s mom was 28-years-old, weighed 122 pounds, and stood 5′2.″ She also had blonde hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin. Today, she would be 75-years-old.

Tim’s birth mother had been married before meeting his birth father, but that marriage dissolved in the country of Mexico on January 5, 1966, and she was never married to Tim’s birth father. Tim’s birth father was 29-years-old at the time of his birth in 1968 and worked as an appliance repairman. He stood 6’1,” weighed 190 pounds and had light brown hair, hazel eyes, and fair skin.

Tim also learned that when he was born, he had five siblings. There were three half-brothers who were ages 2, 4-and-a-half and 7 (which would make them now about 50, 52 and 55). He also had two half-sisters who were ages 5-and-a-half and 14 months (making them now about 53 and 49).

DSS has explained to Tim that his birth mom was a single mom who already had five kids and felt that her new baby (Tim) who was born out of wedlock deserved a "fresh start with a new family and a better life than she could provide."

Tim Dodd
Tim Dodd
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Broome County DSS lists music as one of the interests of Tim’s birth mom, which is no coincidence because he also sings and plays an instrument. Tim says,

I played some sports in high school, but, music (saxophone and singing) and drama were my real passions. I eventually played in the Syracuse University Marching Band in college. Just before college I got to spend a year living abroad in Australia and even participated in bands and plays there.”

While Tim wants nothing more than to connect with his birth family and to learn where he’s from so that he can share that information with his children, he understands that it might be hard for his birth family and so he has this message for them,

I have and have had, a wonderful life. I have a beautiful, devoted wife, three amazing children and one adorable grandchild who steals my heart every time I see her. I went to college, earned a bachelor's degree in 1991 from Syracuse University and my Masters from Plattsburgh State just a year ago...If it was a good life for me you were hoping for, please know, your decision was the right one, and, I at least, have no regrets. Thank you for what must have been an incredibly difficult decision...I have always been curious about you, but, resolved not to search until both of my parents were gone, out of respect for them."

If you believe that you might have more information that will help Tim piece together the story of his family, or if you believe that you might be a member of his birth family, Tim invites you to reach out to him through Facebook, or at tcdodd1@gmail.com.

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