A letter from one of Ariel Bruce's clients:

"Never having met my family, and being in my 50's, I thought I never would - but my kids needed roots, and frankly, I needed to know. I spoke with Ariel Bruce, and from the tiny information I had, leads were, through brilliant detective work and amazing perception, soon established. Telephone calls started and a visit to Paris made an actual meeting with my mother - fortunately a happy one, which was mainly due to Ariel's methodical and sensitive manner. I felt compelled to write this note and thank you sincerely for giving me back my family and my roots which now span some six countries."

This is a birth mother writing of being contacted by Ariel on behalf of a daughter that she had placed for adoption in 1962. Happily, this birth mother was completely supported by her husband in her desire to have contact with her L, her daughter.

“Life has never been happier; L is such a warm and wonderful young woman, and my whole family has been delighted to have been found by her and her lovely family. I drove up to Scotland to tell my cousins (my closest relatives) about her at Easter, and flew to Los Angeles to tell my Californian relatives in the Summer. Without a single exception, they have been thrilled to hear my news.

Our daughters just love her. Individually and together, they meet socially. About once a month I have a family Sunday lunch, and it is such a happy time! If L was not such a lovely person, it might not have been so easy, but both she and her husband are such fun and the children so adorable that the time just flies.

Ls Mum and Dad very kindly invited us to their home so we could all get to know one another. It was a marvellous gesture on their part. Ls children call me by my first name, because any variation of Grandmother is reserved for Ls adopted Mum."

Mr & Mrs R. N., Hertfordshire, UK.

Dear Ariel,
the last thing you wrote to me (9th May) was,
"Now the task is over to you, perhaps you will start to learn Italian! Let me know what I can do to help."

I thought I'd write a brief note to let you know the outcome (so far) of the search you did for me. You'll remember that last April you told me in person that my Italian father had died some years ago and that I had a brother in Italy. You then forwarded a letter received from my brother, Guiseppe, in which he said that I'd also got a sister.

We wrote to each other several times (in Italian) over May & June. I also wrote to my sister. A hint was made that we visit Italy. After failing to make email contact (bloody computers!) and with the end of my holidays rapidly approaching, I took the plunge and jumped on a plane to Rome. My wife was with me. We hired a car and drove the 100km south to Terracina. We stayed B&B with a young non-English speaking family (great fun). Then (trembling like the proverbial leaf) I phoned my brother's house. My sister answered. When I told them that I was in town, they exploded with excitement, and from that moment on we were treated like Gods. We were totally looked after for the 6 days that we stayed. My resemblance to my father (both physically and in manner) was commented upon by everyone I met, including 2 cousins who were brought up by my father after their own father (his brother) died. There were lots of tears of sadness and joy - mostly joy. I learned a lot about my father, of course, and saw where he was born, worked, lived, died and was buried. I also heard many stories relating to his character and his life. They didn't ask whether we were going to visit next year - it was assumed.

7 years ago my family tree started with just me. Now it is so huge it stretches over many pages.

Count this as one of your great successes!

Grazie di tutto,
Ciao,

J.F. Scotland

Ariel Bruce is also listed in the new Directory of the British Association for Adoption and Fostering ('BAAF Directory of intermediary support services in England and Wales for birth relatives') and the BAAF guide 'Where to Find Adoption Records'.