A WOMAN who has spent 32 years searching for her birth mother has paid an emotional visit to the Glasgow street where her family lived.

Anne Guy was given up for adoption when she six weeks old.

Her mother Helen (McMurray Cunningham) Bell, was brought up at 137 Kintra Street in Govan, now just derelict ground and a street name.

Unmarried and possibly abandoned by the father of her child, Helen, 23, kept the pregnancy secret and travelled to London when she was seven months pregnant to give birth at a mother and baby home. She told her parents she was moving south to look for work.

Anne was born on May 1 1967 and was cared for by her mother for six weeks.

Helen then returned to Glasgow, after her daughter was adopted, signing the papers in Edinburgh. A little lamb soft toy and a couple of letters kept by social services are all that Anne has to remind her of her roots.

Anne is hoping that Evening Times readers can help her find her mother, who if alive, will be 73.

She said: “I know it wasn’t a decision she took lightly. It must have been heart-breaking.

“It would be lovely to just say hello. There is no pressure, that’s the last thing I want to do.

“I’ll be 50 soon and it would just be nice to know where I came from, who I look like.

“I will always search but time is ticking on.”

Records show that Anne’s mother was born on June 7 1943 at 1301 Govan Road. Of her father, she knows only that his name was Ian and that he played no part in the birth in London or adoption process.

However, more details have emerged about her grandparents who were Helen Cunningham Bell nee McMurray and Wiliam Bell, who worked as an engineer’s machineman. The couple were married on July 17 1930 in the Calton area of Glasgow.

Records show that Helen’s grandmother Anne died on May 3 2000 at the age of 90 at Shalom nursing home in Dreghorn. Her death was registered in Irvine, North Ayrshire by her older brother William Bell, of 23 Dunvegan Place, Irvine.

Anne has found no marriage or death records for her birth mother in Scotland.

Anne has just learned is that she has five cousins possibly living in the central belt.

Her uncle William Bell, of 23 Dunvegan Place, died in 2011 and had 5 children, two boys and three girls  registered in Irvine, North Ayrshire by her older brother William Bell, of 23 Dunvegan Place, Irvine. 

She is hoping they will make contact. 

Social work records reveals that Helen was 5ft 1inches tall, medium build, with light brown hair and blue eyes - the colour Anne shares.

She is described as “reserved by nature” and enjoyed sewing, knitting, ice-skating and dancing. Anne was adopted by Irene and Mick Guy, who had already given a home to a little boy Stephen, now 51. Irene is now in her 80s but Mick passed away a few years ago.

Anne, who lives in Ilkeston, in Derbyshire, said: “From what I gather, we were in a mother and baby home for six weeks then she gave me up for adoption.

“She went to London alone, she didn’t tell her parents until after the event.

“The letters between her and the lady who sorted out the adoption.

“There was a mention of a brother but I think he was quite a bit older than her.

“She mentioned in her letters that she was pleased that I would have an older brother because she had had an older brother.

“I’ve always known I was adopted, it was never an issue. I remember my mum would be peeling potatoes and I’d say, ‘tell me that story again.’

“I always thought I was quite special because I had been chosen. My parents had already adopted a boy, my older brother and they were ready for another little ‘un.

“I had a wonderful childhood, I was very loved and wanted.

“So the children’s home contacted them and said we’ve got a little girl. So that was me.

“As I got older, then when I had my daughter, I started thinking how difficult it must have been for her giving a baby up.

“I got my social services file when I was 22 and had Leanne and built a picture up in my mind of what the circumstances were.

“Looked here, there and everywhere and came up against brick walls. I couldn’t find much information.

“I’d like to think she is still alive. She would be 73 now. “

It is likely that Helen felt too ashamed to tell her parents that she was expecting a child. Tragically she reveals in letters that the couple were devastated when they learned she had kept the pregnancy secret and said they would have supported her.

Anne, who has a daughter Leanne, 29, and is granny to Matilda, 3, says it is upsetting to know that her birth mother has not tried to contact her but says that she can understand why.

Anne said: “It’s possible she didn’t want to tell any future relationship that she had a baby she had given up for adoption.

“I’ve got my daughter and she’s got a daughter.

“It’s just knowing that somebody out there looks like me, probably has my same mannerisms.

“If she wants to get to know me fine, if we can have relationship then all the better.

“I’ve lived in England my whole life but I have this Scottish heritage. It’s just knowing, having that closure.”

If you can help Anne, contact our reporter Caroline Wilson on 0141 302 6535.