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I am trying to find my brother Kevin Carter. He was born in 1959 in Windsor, Berkshire.
My mother, Betty Carter, went away during the pregnancy and came back after the birth. I presume Kevin was put up for adoption.
This was a secret she took to her grave.
In 1975, my grandmother was seriously ill and went into hospital for a life-saving operation.
During one of my hospital visits, my grandmother mentioned that I had a brother (I have two sisters and thought we were all the children my mother had). He was called Kevin. She told me my mother had gone away to an unmarried mothers place to have him.
I thought my grandmother was delirious and didn't think it was possible, but a seed had been planted. I was nearly 18 and my grandmother was in the early stages of Alzheimers.
The next year I had a motorcycle accident and lost my memory for several months. When my memory came back, I remembered things I had forgotten. One of the things I clearly remembered was living alone with my grandmother and being looked after by another family during the day while my grandmother was at work. I remember my mother not being around. I even remember the name of the woman who looked after me during this time.
I remember my mother coming back after a long time and taking me to a nursery school. I remember crying when she left because I thought she wasn't coming back.
I knew there must be a reason for my mother not mentioning the birth of Kevin and I was too scared to mention what her mother had told me.
In 1986, my grandmother died and we went to clear out her house. While I was going through the old papers, I found Kevins birth certificate. I had to quickly secrete it about my person so my mother didn't see.
Later on, when I was alone, I looked at the birth certificate and saw that he was born in Windsor in 1959. I don't remember the exact date. We were living in Aylesbury.
I lost the birth certificate during my many moves between 1986-1989. I don't remember seeing it again.
Just before my mother died of cancer in 1989, she asked to see me because she had something to tell me. I thought she was going to tell me about Kevin. No, it was about finances and the house and the arrangements. She died a few days later keeping her secret about Kevin.
My ex-wife told my son that he had an uncle nobody knew about. My son told my sisters and they asked me if it was true. I had to tell the truth about what I knew.
I had already tried to find Kevin years ago, but I was told that it would cost thousands of pounds.
I asked my sisters if they would share the cost with me, but having young families they couldn't afford to. I certainly couldn't afford to either. I gave up.
Just the other day, I found my mothers leaving school certificate amongst some old photographs and this spurred me on to trace my family origins again, what I could anyway, I was born out of wedlock too - two years before Kevin. I know nothing about my natural father, except he was an American and was based in High Wycombe during the mid-late 1950's. I am tracing my "dad's" family back.
I don't know what to do next about finding my brother.
Any help would be appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Gary
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well born in 1959 you can get a copy of his birth as its over 50 years.
Would you like the GRO ref so you can get it?
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Have you put him on your tree on here, or checked Search Trees.
Theres one possible match.
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Make sure your mother's name is on your tree + search trees for her as well.
If you bought the BC - the ref for which can be given to you off board - as suggested, it would show the address where Kevin was born.
If it was a mother and babies home, you can research that and find out who ran it. It would probably have either been council run, childrens society or church. if you can track them down, they *might* be able to find the adoption records, if that is what happened, and be willing to either hold or forward a letter from you. They won't be willing to give you information on his new name, if it was changed.
Good luck.
DET
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Would certainly PM the birth info !
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Gary
I know sadly your mother has died but IF Kevin has looked at his adoption file, he will have his mother's name & perhaps a mention of yourself.
You have to think what info he will have & how he would do a search.
He would do a search under his mother's name so it you go on the adoption websites look under her name as when as your own.
If Kevin has NOT accessed his adoption file, you could ask to leave a letter inside so when he does, he will not have a search for you.
I assume it would be Windsor Social Services.
If Kevin was adopted this will be stated on his birth certificate
of course not on the original just subsequent copies.
.
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A member called Margaret has this name and date in her tree, birthplace Berkshire - just go to search trees at the top, third from left.
All good wishes for success in finding your brother,
Liz
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Hi Gary,
Birth relatives (and adoptees) can register their details on the Adoption Contact Register at the General Register Office, Southport (all info on their website). If there is ever a match you will both be contacted by the administrators of the Register.
Also, try NORCAP, they are very helpful.
I too am searching for my older half-brother, adopted at birth before I was born, and am registered in both the above places.
Good luck!
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Hello All,
Thank you so much for your valuable input.
I would be grateful for any PM's relating to this (Shirley and Detective).
I have contacted the person who has the name, area and year of the person I am looking for. I am just awaiting a reply.
Because I am new to all this - just started the day before yesterday, in fact - I am extremely excited at the possibilites that could be. My sisters would be over the moon if I could find our brother.
It's just a shame that I kept it from them for so long, but I respected my mother's unsaid wishes and wouldn't have said anything, but my son didn't know any better - and my ex knew this. It's water under the bridge now. The cat came out of the bag.
Thank you all once again, guys (colloq.). I really am appreciative for your help.
Kind Regards,
Gary
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Sending PM with details of birth reg.
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