The Origins of ISRR

Written By Tony Vilardi, 1996

Emma May Vilardi ~ Founder June 23, 1922  to July 9, 1990

Stricken during her childhood years by three severe illnesses and diseases, and again by cancer at age 26, Emma May Vilardi wondered how could this all happen to her. Her mother was an adoptee and severed from any access to her birth family history.

Emma May quickly learned the importance of knowing family medical history and of the inaccessibility by those in need of such medical history. Enlisting the help from medical professionals, guidelines were established for recording medical history, as much as was known about all the birth family members. It was the hope that adoption professionals make this a standard practic in future placements and make it available to those who would benefit best from its knowledge. Updating the adoption record is very important.

Anthony S. Vilardi ~ Funder *

The social services system was too slow to respond or non-responsive to the needs of the adoption community in providing access to any birth parent data. Many of the over 2000 illnesses and diseases of a genetic origin, once manifested, were deadly to many adoptees and their offspring.

Thus the International Soundex Reunion Registry was established to immediately respond to those touched by adoption wishing contact or information. This was the quickest and most non-restrictive way to serve those needs.

Since its establishment in 1975, the registry services were expanded to serve the needs of all in search of their next of kin, regardless of any causes of separation.

The registry services continue to be provided at no cost to its registrants, supported entirely by individual donations.

For the many thousands of families reunited by this registry, it has brought the answers most had sought about their heritage. For those yet to be reunited, this registry remains for many, their only source of hope.

Click here for more history on ISRR

Building Purchased to House ISRR in 1989

The Very First ISRR Computer & Emma May, the Registrar

The Cutest Couple ~ Emma May & Tony Vilardi

ISRR Board of Trustees ~ Past and Present

Original Board ~ Emma May Vilardi ~ Chairman and Registrar; Anthony S. Vilardi, Mary Jo Rillera, Reuben Pannor, Barbara A. Jackson, Donald E. Humphrey, Doug W. Hopkins, Dr. Joseph H. Davis, Carol Cramer, Dr. Dirck W. Brown, George G. Anthony at time of incorporation as a 501(c)3 tax exempt, non-profit in August of 1981.

Over the decades a number of trustees have passed on, some new have been added, and many of the originals are still involved. Here are some of them:

Current ISRR Officers ~
Marri Jo Rillera Registrar	Douglas W. Hopkins Treasurer	Joan Vanstone Vice President	Diana E. Brown Secretary
The ISRR Board of Trustees Includes the Officers Above  Teamed with the Other Executive or Guardian Trustees Below
	Not Pictured: Carol Cramer Drummond, Assistant Secretary
Sally File Match Specialist		Reuben Pannor
Past Trustees
George Anthony	Leonie Boehmer	Martin Brandfon	Dirck W. Brown
Dr. Joe Davis	Donald Humphrey	Joe Soll	Jennifer Erven
Former Trustee  ~ Not Pictured: Kathleen Vilardi
Trustees No Longer With Us But Fondly Remembered: Dirck W. Brown, Dr. Joe Davis, Barbara Jackson, Bev Tansey Kirk, June Tanner, Emma May Vilardi

In Addition, ISRR has been blessed with many volunteers and dedicated staff members over the years. Below are a few who will never be forgotten and deserve much thanks. Without them the 30 years of services, offering hope and reuniting families, would not be the incredible gift that it is to hundreds of thousands of registrants and their families.  Here are some photos taken over the years.

Pictured left to right: Tony Vilardi who served as Registrar for 11 years; Cheryl Smith, an employee from 1995-2007;  Susan Braun Vilardi, a volunteer and employee who did most of the match calls for over a decade and then married the boss; Doug Hopkins, has volunteered for over 13 years, and Toni Anthony, married to George former ISRR secretary. .

Volunteer Lunch 2006 ~ Left to Right: Cully Ray, Cheryl Smith, Treva & Ken Jewkes; Doug Hopkins, Marri & Butch Rillera

Staff & Volunteers Dinner 2003-2004 ~ Bottom: Treva Jewkes, Susan Vilardi, Joyce Divine. Kathleen Murphy.  Top: Doug Hopkins, Marri Rillera, Butch Rillera, Cheryl Smith

Volunteer Dinner 2002 ~ Joyce Devine & Guest, Marri & Butch Rillera, Gary & Cheryl Smith, Susan & Tony Vilardi, Doug & Marie Hopkins, Treva Jewkes --  others not pictured.

*In the early years Tony financially supported the registry, so is sometimes fondly referred to as the "funder".

CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUPPORT THESE FREE SERVICES  ARE GRATEFULLY ACCEPTED