Burke's mother was adopted, the daughter of a Portuguese sailor.

They also took in family friend Robert Marcato after his mother died, but never legally adopted him.

"One woman told me she didn't even know where they were - the foster mother had adopted them," Mrs. Rogers said.

He would even have his mother adopt orphans from the conquered tribe, bringing them into his family.

Missick grew up an only child (his mother later adopted two baby twin girls, and acquired a 3rd child through her current husband).

The boy's mother, who was infertile and had recently married for the second time, had adopted the handicapped child, an extremely rare step in China.

Her mother, a doctor, adopted an outward facade of calm.

The 3rd Baron's mother had adopted, by royal license the name of de Cardonnel.

The mother of a mixed race adopted daughter, she is keen to see more black families recruited.

Her father and legal mother had adopted her when she was born.