A man known as the 'Rainbow Baby' after being found abandoned as an infant in colorful clothing in London 65 years ago has finally identified his birth mother and connected with his extended family thanks to a home DNA test.
David Stevenson was discovered in 1960 on the second floor of a luxury apartment building in Golders Green, north London. He was the subject of a Daily Mail appeal at the time, and he spoke to the newspaper again in 2009 as he continued his search for his mother. While his mother, Petra, died in 2010, the DNA test revealed he had a second cousin in Vancouver, Canada. This connection led to the discovery of relatives in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
ITV's program 'Long Lost Family – Born Without Trace' became involved earlier this year, helping to arrange a meeting between Stevenson and his newfound relatives in Rotterdam. He described the experience as "emotional but very rewarding and uplifting."
Stevenson, who was adopted in 1963 by Stuart and Margaret Stevenson, learned that his mother, Petra, was born in the Netherlands in 1940 to a strict Catholic family. She traveled to France and later England as a teenager, working as an au pair. DNA analysis indicated his father's line is French, and he believes he may have been conceived in Paris. It is possible his mother did not know she was pregnant when she traveled to the UK.
The circumstances surrounding his abandonment remain unclear, though Stevenson believes his mother may have made arrangements for his care in the days following his birth. He does not know his exact birth date or his father's identity. He expressed sympathy for his mother, acknowledging the societal challenges faced by single mothers in the 1950s and 1960s.
Petra returned to Holland in 1964 and later married, but had no other children. Her family has not released adult photos out of respect for her husband, who is still living.
Stevenson, a father of three, was inspired to seek his origins after becoming a parent himself. He contacted social services in 1995, obtaining his birth certificate, police report, and adoption papers. His wife, Julie, also helped track down retired police constable Tegwin Curl, who had attended the scene when Stevenson was found.
Home DNA testing kits, which became popular in the early 2010s, analyze saliva samples and compare DNA against reference databases, offering insights into heritage for individuals with uncertain family backgrounds.