French Overseas Departments and Territories
Bonaly, Surya
Bonaly, born in Nice (but some sources say on Réunion Island), was adopted by a white French family. She began ice skating aged 10, but was already a trampoline champion (she won the world ... [more]
Melville, Herman
Melville was born into a comfortably well-off merchant family in New York, but his father went bankrupt and insane, and died when he was 12 (other sources say 14), leaving his mother a wido... [more]
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]
Tangiia Nui
Tangiia Nui was named Uenga by his mother, Ka'ungake Ariki ki te Marama, when he was born; later his grandfather, Amaru Enua, named him Rangi. He was adopted by his uncle, Pou te Vananga... [more]
Tu Tapu
Tu Tapu was the birth son of Maonga and Pou Teo and was adopted by Maonga's brother, Pou te Vanangaroa ki Iva, high chief of Tahiti and the Marquesas. Pou had two born-to sons and another a... [more]
