Who Are or Were Also Birth Parents

Germanicus Julius Caesar (under Roman Empire)

Ancient Roman society institutionalized the adoption of adults. It was relatively common for a wealthy Roman couple to adopt an adult man, even a slave, as heir if they did not have any son... [more]

for California

Heracles

One of several versions of his life states that Heracles was adopted by Hera, wife of the god Zeus. Another version of his life states that he was the son of Zeus and Alkmene (wife of Amphi... [more]

Kawananakoa, David La'amea Kahalepouli (under Hawai'ian Royal Families)

The history of the royal dynasties of Hawai'i has been as tangled as that of many others. Until the early 19th century each island was ruled by its own dynasty, but Kamehameha the Great (17... [more]

Perrott, Caroline

Perrott was a girl of eight when she was kidnapped by Maori near Leppertown in the Taranaki district of New Zealand in 1874, probably in retaliation when her father disturbed a sacred buria... [more]

Sacagawea

Sacagawea was probably born a Shoshone. When she was about 10-12 years old and probably living in Idaho, she was one of a group of boys and girls, including her brother and sister, who were... [more]

Tamatoa V (under Pomare Dynasty)

The Pomare family dominated the politics of Tahiti from 1793 until 1880. The family genealogy shows a large number of adoptions. This is probably typical of Polynesian royal families, as ad... [more]

Te Kurapa, Hikawera

Te Kurapa was the third of five children born to Te Tuhera Te Kurapa and his wife Matahera. As a young child he was given to his mother's cousin, Te Whenuanui II (also known as Rangiteremau... [more]

Teriimaevarua (under Pomare Dynasty)

The Pomare family dominated the politics of Tahiti from 1793 until 1880. The family genealogy shows a large number of adoptions. This is probably typical of Polynesian royal families, as ad... [more]

Wark, Betty

Wark grew up in succession of foster homes in northern New Zealand. In some of them she was abused racially, emotionally and sexually. She knew her birth parents (Maori mother and white ... [more]

Wheeler, Caron

Wheeler began singing in the reggae bands Brown Sugar and Afrodiziak, and then became famous as part of Soul II Soul in 1989. She went solo in 1990, recording UK Blak in 1991. Her last reco... [more]

Yi Zong (under Chinese Qing Dynasty)

For nearly 200 years the Qing dynasty practiced a form of adoption to secure orderly succession to the throne when the emperor was childless. It was instituted by the Yong Zheng Empero... [more]

Zai Yi (under Chinese Qing Dynasty)

For nearly 200 years the Qing dynasty practiced a form of adoption to secure orderly succession to the throne when the emperor was childless. It was instituted by the Yong Zheng Empero... [more]

Zai Ying (under Chinese Qing Dynasty)

For nearly 200 years the Qing dynasty practiced a form of adoption to secure orderly succession to the throne when the emperor was childless. It was instituted by the Yong Zheng Empero... [more]