Finding Family on the Other Side of the World

It was an emotional trip from New Zealand to England, the land where Kathy Waterson was born. Raised in Southport by her adoptive parents, Kathy brought her family (pictured) to visit her hometown. At fifteen her adoptive parents had taken her to a new life in New Zealand. Years later, after both adoptive parents died, Kathy found an adoption order in both hers and her birth mother’s name. Kathy recalls: “I don’t know why my adoptive mother had the certificate, but it made me determined to find my birth family.” Collaborating with a lady online, Kathy put an advert in the local papers and was soon in contact with her maternal Aunt.

Kathy remembers: ‘Through her I discovered more about my late mother and cousins. In 2007 I travelled back to England for the first time. I met with family and friends. It was wonderful. We had no extended relations in New Zealand so finally, at 59, I belonged to a big family.” Kathy also visited her birth mother’s anonymous grave. Kathy arranged to add her mother’s name and had ‘Mother of Kathleen’ engraved on the stone, as her mum had never had any more children. “This was an emotional and proud moment. I was doing something that acknowledged my mum’s existence and that I was her daughter.” Kathy recalls.

Since then, Kathy has returned to England several times, building relationships with her extended family. Recently, Kathy and her family attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Southport. As members in New Zealand, they knew that at Church they could access genealogical help and advice. With that help Kathy found her adoptive grandmother’s grave. Kathy returned to New Zealand and is now hoping that DNA searches will lead her to locating her paternal family too.