Franklin, who lives in Wanaque, had the advantage of being born in England, where adoption records have been unsealed since 1975. If he had been born in New Jersey, his search would have been more difficult.
State law prevents adoptees from gaining access to their birth records.
That would change under legislation that passed a Senate committee Monday allowing such access for adoptees born in New Jersey. Franklin was at the State House on Monday to voice support for the measure, which has kicked around Trenton for years. When Franklin went on his search, he discovered that, in addition to the twin sister with whom he had been raised, he had four other siblings who had all been placed for adoption. Although he doesn't have much contact with his birth mother, he discovered a passel of siblings hungry for relationships with each other. He's now looking forward to a visit in May from one of his English nieces.