My very lovely neighbor, John, has a mystery to solve. I love a good mystery and his is particularly intriguing.

John has a unique birth circumstance and knows nothing about his family of origin. He is hoping for a mix of memories and science to help uncover his original identity.

John was a foundling, discovered on a September 21st, 1959 in a box outside a now defunct pub, the Hare and Hounds, on the A21, in town of Flimwell, Sussex, UK.

It was unknown who originally found him but when he was discovered, he was in good condition. He was dressed appropriately and was warm. He was a healthy weight. His umbilical cord had been neatly tied and doctors estimated he was about 24 hours old. Presumably his birth mother knew how to care for a newborn or was attended to by someone who did.

The hospital gave him his name. On his birth record which was recorded in December, his birth mother is listed as unknown. This is interesting as his adoption was finalized in November. It could just be a clerical error.

John is hoping someone might remember even the smallest details about his discovery. He was born during hop picking season so the police theorized his birth mother might have been associated with that work. Someone may remember a woman or girl who was pregnant and then was suddenly without a baby. It could also be someone who thought they were concealing a pregnancy. It also possible that his mother might have had other children who had heard the story of a sibling placed for adoption

John has tried DNA testing but the closest DNA match has been a fourth cousin (sharing a great grandparent) who doesn’t have any information. As DNA testing is not as robust as in the US where John makes his home, he is hoping oral history and memories can give him some clues.

If you have any information, however small, please feel free to contact me and to pass this post along on social media.

Here is John at his discovery:

And John now: