Adopted 90 Year-Old's Family Hunt

Adopted 90-year-old's family hunt
A 90-year-old woman who was born in Cardiff but adopted when only three-months-old is trying to trace Welsh relatives and a picture of her parents.

Rosamond Mary Hope, who now lives in Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham, was given away soon after being born on 28 June 1918 but has no idea why.

Mrs Hope had kept her adoption secret from her late husband William and their 14 children until recent ill health.

Her biological parents were called John and Beatrice Jones.

Mrs Hope, who was formerly known as Rosamond Mary Campbell Jones, was taken out of Wales by her adoptive parents Jessie and Edith Bundy while she was still a child.

They told her she was adopted at the age of four but would not explain why or how because it was not "her business".


When she was ill earlier in the year it was utmost in her mind
Elaine Hope

"I was told I had been given away and that was that," said Mrs Hope.

Her adoptive father Mr Bundy worked on farms and moved his family to different locations in Gloucestershire, Worcester before they settled in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire.

She then moved north to Stockton-on-Tees during the war with her husband William who was from that area.

One of her 18 grandchildren, Elaine Hope said Mrs Hope told her family earlier this year about her family history and that she wanted to find out if she still had Welsh relatives.

"She has a fantastic memory," said Ms Hope. "We are a very close family so we wanted to help her. She would love to see a photo of them.

"When she was ill earlier in the year it was utmost in her mind."

Mrs Hope's adoptive parents left no documentation in relation to the adoption and all she has is her birth certificate which states the names of her biological parents.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_east/7549934.stm

Published: 2008/08/11 05:55:16 GMT