Long Lost Family (UK) S08E02

for thousands of people across Britain someone is missing from their lives I miss Sony I need to be able to say the word dad to him I have to find my brother I just can't let it go I just can't let him go three children kept together one taken away so where is he finding someone when the trails gone cold can feel like an impossible task but that's where we step in oh so we do you know who is offering a last chance to people desperate for help with search is taking us to surprising places we've unearthed hidden secrets solving family mysteries and finding people that nobody else could trace his father Susan this is wonderful and although the answers aren't always what people expect we resolve questions that have haunted entire lives I only know that she's not dead because of you you do look like that or do you this week two stories of new beginnings a woman separated from her mother because of a cruel twist of fate everything went against her I just need to know what became of her where did she go and a searcher desperate to know if their birth mother will accept them what about the news that the little baby boy you gave up is now a daughter our first search is on behalf of a woman whose birth mother gave her up for adoption in tragic circumstances just from that car accident she's not absolutely everything no marriage no home no family was all just taken away from her 52 year old mother of two Maria Roberts lives in Penzance near to her daughter Jodie she's lived in the southwest of England all her life oh look really cute here is a little sweetie when she was a few months old Maria was adopted by Eileen and Jack Fanelli I loved my mum and dad bits I always knew I was adopted I was always told to say that I was chosen so I was special I remember my dad saying to me that they went into the room at the orphanage and I was in a cot standing up and good to see my eyes over the top and chubby cheeks and he just said gotta have her these are lovely aren't they and my favorite really nice Maria's adoptive father passed away in 2000 and she afterwards her mother died too once they'd gone I didn't know where I belonged I know it sounds really daft but I remember thinking I wasn't orphaned but that's how I felt and I still feel like that sometimes I just felt so lost and alone and I wanted to find my birth mother Maria's adoptive parents had always shared with her the information they had about her birth mother my mother was shielder Constantino and she was only 22 years old she was Italian one letter reveals how an incident in Italy before Maria was born changed the course of shielder and Maria's lives says here my father is also Italian they were to be married but unfortunately for my mother and myself he was killed in a car accident while she was pregnant with me you'll read this letter over and over again so it doesn't sink in it's just really hard it's just an awful awful situation to suddenly lose your husband-to-be and then says the parents knew nothing of the pregnancy so she was quite alone in this everything that was sow in front of her just just gone just gone [Music] Hilda's situation was made even more difficult by the culture she was living in in Italy in the 1960s the Catholic Church held enormous sway and attitudes towards unmarried mothers who were often deeply conservative would a book shame not only on herself but on her family is Wow would imagine that she had no choice Hilda came to England to have her baby and in May 1965 Maria was born in Exeter before she was adopted she was baptized at this Catholic Church I'd like to think that my mother had some solace to know that I was going to be brought up in the Catholic faith I was baptized on the 10th of July 1965 I was named Antonella LuAnn elder Maria Constantino and it also shows my mother's name they're seeing our names together they're side-by-side it feels as if we were still United at that point it's not his a good feeling the whole thing is tragic everybody's lives changed had that car accident not happened you know would have grown up with Gilda in Italy a completely different life I lost that life she's my mother I just need to know where did she go what became of her the last known location for gelled up was in Devon where she'd given Maria up for adoption so that's where we started our search but there was no trace of a Jill de Constantino living anywhere in the UK we suspected she'd gone back to her home in Italy but with a population of around 60 million we needed to narrow the search so we looked to Maria's adoption paperwork for clues her records mentioned in Italian town called Cassini however we couldn't find any time of this name in Italy so we started playing around with the spelling of Cassini and came up with Cassino a small town halfway between Rome and Naples could this be Childers hometown it was our only lead so we decided to turn the social media but we had to be cautious Maria's adoption papers stated that Gilda hadn't told her parents about her pregnancy like it it was vitally important that our search didn't expose a secret that she might still be keeping so our team of specialists intermedius launched a carefully worded appeal for anyone who knew Jill de without giving away the news that she had a daughter it didn't take long several people came forward to say that there knew Jill de and her family and our hunch had been right casino was the town but there was a sting in the tail a family friend told us that Jill de had passed away just a year ago [Music] tragically for Maria it was too late Jill de had never married had no children and sadly all her siblings had died but she did have nephews and nieces one of them Maria's older cousin Silvana has agreed to meet me and tell me as much as she can about her arm [Music] Buon Giorno ja no Silvana Mickey nah prego grazie we've arranged for an interpreter to translate are you nice to meet you Savannah thank you for seeing me I'm so sorry your aunt has passed away Grazia did you know about maria sopra Baci di maria no niente ESO no es una Burke a museum nah nah my my destiny antenna so no save Oh Leo oh dear Laputa ancora des Eaux sessile are gonna go Sudhir dee guee stop legenda parla perky poor troppo panel nexium una grande Ishita una grande Quimby legenda angora days so chai wallah mentally tally how was it for you when you heard the news Tom negotiability mom boo tone-tone fourth quarter know me respect ow pero una cosa Bella Bella Bella that's lovely to hear that's what was your relationship like with your aunt Sharon bellissimo report oh my man gotta toss in German - Pelle Dominic la and AMA miss okasada me Timoney vampire daughter a poison Indaba a sono stato vision of en el último de última parole a dish amo a detour to perm si como una figlia molto probable mental a comprehensive ah Maria here no no so you have a photograph of Jill degenerate aunty Chris de una oh she looks so kind C no no my I reject allah rabbuna De Vita era reversal escaped sodomy perceive our study ghanagold amici college enter inconceivable aden animated Aditi Parramatta the beauty knowing do you have any photographs of when she was younger C era bellissima yeah beautiful Bella Bella Queen Stella fact I mean if their credo Gayle amiable to be devotee but Lashari Lavinia Phnom Penh so Columbia facto così tanto para perky they were not such a daring Jose Jose but you think she would have been happy you were going to meet her daughter yoga dog ACF Alicia they been saying it took the waist I suggest so I juiced o una no their loss or Morton just oh just do not know I think it's really wonderful that you can tell Maria all about her mother Sara bellissimo Lisa V racing it is Donna Donna Felicia to talk well okay Sammy load evidence she had a wonderful adoption and a lovely mother and father who she loved very very much appreciate her I have a photograph of her know all your even as Maria no parole simillimum done no you can't stop looking at her face okay so looser than a mama little is so you feel a connection you want to to welcome her into the family the party knows traveled to t cradle-robber ad C for cellar gossip you bail like anybody say la vida au revoir don't bet sunny me and Zia before we tell Maria the news about her Italian family we take on a remarkable search after non long-lost family people come to us at a major turning point in their lives because it's only then that they feel ready to search for the person that's missing [Music] I want to find my birth mother I want to share my life with her but there's a risk that she doesn't want to meet me because my life is going along a different path I am a transitioning into a female 43 year old Francesca Barnes lives in Aldershot where she works as a care assistant she was born in Southampton as a boy named Paul and adopted by parents Colin and Mary at six months old mum and dad are wonderful I mean where they stand up they still have wonderful they always have been and loved me and cared for me I was happy little boy breathing into cars and football when I was about ten my mum my dad sat me down and just explained that they weren't my biological parents and that I have another mum elsewhere my initial reaction was old and she loved me then my mum very quickly turn around said no she did love you that's why she did it when Francesca was a teenager her parents gave her a file with more information about her adoption I do have a letter describing my my mum Norma Mackey that she had an English mother an American father five foot three tall with fair skin blue eyes and light brown hair the file revealed that the birth father was believed to be a married man and that Norma was unable to support her child try put myself in her shoes in the circumstances at that time not in finishing had much of a choice that must have been really upsetting for her knowing about her birth mother's situation Francesca became desperate to find her I wanted to tell her that I loved her she did what was best for me because she gave me a chance in life I want her to know that you shouldn't have any regrets of what she did and all I had to see the person I've grown into [Music] we started our search by looking for a Norma Macke in Southampton the area where Francesca was born we find a record of her living in the city up to 2007 but there was no trace of a current address so we tried our luck with social media hoping for a breakthrough we find a recent post from a Norman Mackay on a professional networking site she'd returned to Southampton after a period living in the United States as we knew that Norma was half American this all made sense that we'd found Francesca's birth mother but what will Norma make of the news that her baby son is now a daughter born and raised as a boy Francesca bombs came to us searching for her birth mother I want to meet her and I would like her to help with my journey Francesca realized she's transgender about ten years ago she recently changed her name and began the long process of transitioning physically over time my body has start changing I love to live my life as a female that's how I feel I should have been rather than I was but Francesca knows that her change in gender will not just affect her it would have an impact on her birthmother as well giving birth to a boy who's now living as a female which might not want to meet me but for me it's a risk worth taking what share my life with her it's just now I'd like a mother-daughter relationship having taken on Francesca's search we found an address for her mother Norma living in Southampton but we had to tread incredibly carefully for anyone who's given up a child for adoption being traced can be a hugely emotional experience the additional news that her son is transgender could be overwhelming for Norma with no idea how Norma might react and desperate to secure the best possible outcome for Francesca we were advised to tell Norma about Francesca's transition away from the cameras [Music] now having let the news settle for a few days I'm on my way to see Norma at her home hi Norma I'm Niki nice to meet you thank you well thank you for having me so when you found out that your child I had come searching for you what did that feel like amazing it was totally amazing it was always in the back of my mind that you know this day would happen and I've always thought I would be in happy if he wanted to find me I what about the news that the little baby boy you gave up is now a daughter my heart melted it really did I felt she was very brave to be able to go through all of that I just have to get into the mindset that he's now is she it's still the same person and I'm hoping that you know when I meet her yeah I will love her so all these years did you think about Francesca did you think about what Paul as you you absolutely yes because deep down I have a guilty feeling because of what I'd done you mean because of what you done gave him out I'll give her up I was 20 years old I didn't take the responsibility if you like of bringing him out but I wanted to have a better upbringing than what I could give him well our Cheska's parents explained that you did love her yeah and you just did what you thought was the best for her and so ever since then she has had such love and respect for you lovely it's just like a big weight being lifted off your shoulders really you know I just think about her all the time I press a letter oh my goodness dear mom when I was told I was adopted it did come as quite a shock but I want you to know how much I love you I had a very happy life with a lovely family who's always provided for me and brought me up to be the person I am today I am going through some changes and I would love to have you in my life I love from Francesca that is absolutely beautiful as she completed her transition know she realized he was transgender about ten years ago and in the last two years she's been transitioning now she's still got some ways to go she'd love for you to go on that journey with her and I'd love to but to support her yeah I feel privileged do you yes I can help Francesca with her transition it's a big major thing in her life it's a big major thing in my life and I can give her that support that is the most important thing to her do you have any pictures oh my goodness she's got my eyes and she looks very happy there and contented there as well she really does know I can't take my hands over any tiny little part of you that feels where's my son actually no in a way because I wasn't part of that life of his and to me she is now the person who she really is so you know I have been lost a son but I've gained a daughter [Music] in searching for her birth mother francesca knew she was taking a big risk but I hope the news I'm bringing her about Norma will put her mind at rest she desperately wants to find her but she's also scared that Norma may not be able to accept her as a daughter she doesn't need to be Norma's so grateful that the child she gave up has come looking for her [Music] hi lady you're right very well thank you yeah thank you very much well thanks for talking to me thank you so finding your mum now you're going through a lot Mona I mean obviously you're transitioning hi I am there's always going to be that element of sort of worry about whether she's agrees with it whether she's happy about whether she supports it or not that's service I believe is worth taking what would it mean to you for her to support it I mean a lot you'd be amazing I found her you're kidding me all right yeah when when she found out she'd had a good option and how you felt she was so relieved when you know you were worried maybe about looking for but what she said about your transitioning is that she's really proud of you you were her baby but it wasn't like you have maybe boy she she she can totally accept you as Francesca she was I was always worried because I you know this is the path that I you know this is my life now this is who I believe I should be you know and I can't change that so the fact that she has accepted it my dearest Francesca when I was first told that you have been wanting to fight me I was elated all these years you have been in my thoughts to know that you had a wonderful upbringing made me feel very happy I can't wait for the day that we finally meet each other alone looks like metres she's got lovely smile you Maria Roberts came to us searching for her Italian birth mother Hilda sadly we found out that Jill de had passed away just a year ago we've told Maria the news about her mum away from the cameras it's so devastating for Maria that she's not going to get the chance to meet her birth mother but I do have some good news to bring her there's a whole family in Italy and they are longing to get to know her [Music] hi I am so so sorry that we couldn't bring you better news about your mum how have you been feeling yeah I felt disappointed sad I didn't want for her to live her life unhappy that she'd had to have a baby and give up for adoption just because of a car accident why did want to give you a little bit more information about your mum she did go back home to Italy she went back to her family but she never had any more children you're joking oh my god hmm I wonder why she never had any more did she ever tell anybody do you think sadly all her brothers and sisters have passed away but they did have children so you've got lots of Italian cousin really yeah but they didn't know so you were a complete surprise Wow there is one in particular called Silvana right and she was really really close to your mum was she yeah she's given us a picture of your mum when she was a young girl I think she was like wow so that was my mom it's amazing she was attractive it's a gorgeous hmm I've got another one of her when she was a bit older at 70 oh my god Wow we've got the same lips definitely the same lips she's got such a smiley face I love these pictures I wonder if she ever thought about me this is amazing cuz I never ever ever in my wildest dreams thought I'd ever see no any pictures of her or anything you know all these years there's just nothing and just think wow wow wow wow so I've got a picture of cellphone if you love Hey wow she looks lovely and she was with your mum in the final few days of her life that's nice to know that she had somebody like a daughter terrible Alger yeah hmm there's two letters in here ones in Italian and we've translated that into English dear Maria finding out that shielder had a daughter knocked me head over heels with happiness we are so grateful because it means a part of our childer is still alive and still with us and that part is you aren't shielder was a wonderful person one of those people you meet and would never forget we are so thankful you have looked for our family your family now and we can't wait for the moment we can meet you with love your cousin Silvana oh what's nice is that she's got lots of information that she'd love to share with you that's my family my mouth oh my god Wow she never had me no cheese no she did you see after this it's my cousin Wow Silvana that's so exciting I know [Music] three weeks after she had the news about her Italian family Maria and her daughter Jodi travelled to Hilda's hometown of Cassino happy birthday oh thank you very much that's really lovely thank you today's my birthday and I'm actually gonna meet my family on the day that I was born knowing that my mom is not around meeting people that were really close to her means so much to me Maria is here to meet her older cousin Silvana for the first time tanda chiamo di trovato Maria cheapo avid endo Lovato come on paper me video Miyagi literally she's a Ribeiro tanta cosa give a riddle [Music] the cousins are meeting at a hotel in the Hills just outside casino a lot going through my head at the moment I'm feeling anxious and overwhelmed I was born all these years ago you know not in Italy born in the UK and then there's this family here that didn't even know that that had happened I just can't wait to see her [Music] [Music] that's it perky non-believer I'm here now CBS forever same brain aiya I will be I promise I promise that's it nan Chi Grendel's double dong kyun and you were very close to my mother vandal female Ultimo solo que el Pasto Miyagi body via Sarah - non gray dogging on depends us no greater problem around I don't know 15 additional hearings wanna talk about my mom took my breath away it's just such a lovely feeling to hear somebody who's known her all her life you know have lovely things to say about her so send Ito khamisi Laguna Shivaji de anda Pecola Emmy dispute oh no no Elena not robado la mama el viaje Peduto Le Havre de del mio borin importante que nace Elena gpgc Manolis Diaby amore parada Femina my word which they honor oh thank you very much we say Mario Cuomo noe ECMO machine trove are a leer Adichie the love and the warmth that came from them today was just overwhelming Jordan libri my mother said to me okay throat okay ladies [Music] I've got something of my mother's and it's lovely [Music] that picture looks like you I definitely feel closer to my mum I know where she is now where she came from straight life a million Ottoman eleni that I bought at their new fan job Abdul just feel very different happy content I never looked back now just forward you since Francesca bon started her transition from male to female she's wanted her birthmother to be part of the process today a week after hearing her birth mother Norma's been found Francesca's traveled to Southampton the town where she was born to be reunited with her mother I'd like to just shout it from the rooftops to tell everybody that my mom's been found and she wants to meet me in a way it's like it's being born all over again I'm meeting my daughter it sounds wonderful it sounds absolutely wonderful I bought her an earring and necklace set I love jewelry and I think Francesca would be the same Ruby is her birthstone and when I saw that so I thought that is Francesca well these years of wandering whether she's had a good upbringing and and she has you know I just I just can't wait to meet her what to make up for lost time and so on together as a mother and daughter would Francesco and Norma are going to meet at a cafe not far from the hospital where Francesca was born as Paul over 40 years ago it's a big day for me and I wanted to really sort of make an effort and I feel at ease I feel quite comfortable because I know that she's supportive of of my transgender and who I am and who I'm going to become and as I'm doing a little bit more in stages I thought why not go for it I'm wearing a blouse and the trousers are female and most of us to have a pair of knee-high boots on as well it makes me feel more feminine and it gives me that extra confidence to go out like this I'm just excited to share her life and be a part of it she needs me to hold her hand anything just to be there you know for her to lean on that's what we're both going through it's life changing and we can go through that together [Music] [Laughter] [Music] [Laughter] we've got so much to talk about so much to catch up mm-hmm thank you for accepting me you know I am oh my gosh they're absolutely choose me wonderful they want to be there for everything I want to support you all the way is the company my emotions just overwhelmed me you know she's the one who gave birth to me all them years ago and they felt so special for her to accept me as I am I loved hearing us saying I love you I felt like a second chance and I have Francesca to thank that I've got something for you that's for you oh my god mm-hmm I just wanted to hug her and the bond is there yeah we can do little girly things together we can just both look forward into the future now together such a big relief yeah isn't it a way of the shoulders you just yeah yeah yeah it's been the best day of my life it's almost like we've never been apart she wants the mother-daughter relationship it changes everything and I so look forward to the great future together [Music] next time a woman whose family was torn apart by an impossible ultimatum dad saved my mother the choice is either us or Jeffrey and a daughter whose mother gave her up against a backdrop of racism but don't hold anything against her for a white woman with a mixed-race baby but she must have had it hard [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] you

Channel: Cinelic

Views: 716,747

Keywords: abandoned, adopt, ancestry, birth parents, children given up, davina mccall, documentary, family reunion, family search, full documentaries, full documentary, full episode, heritage, genetic, long lost family, long lost family uk, long lsot family, lost family, mini documentaries, mini documentary, dna, reality show, reunion, separated at birth, short documentaries, biological, watch online, documentaries, 23 and me, documentary 2018, 2018, long lost family s08e02, finding family

Id: RB0s5dGEuf4

Length: 45min 30sec (2730 seconds)

Published: Sun Dec 22 2019