Reunited After 78 Years

Until this week, Albert Bance had not seen his sister for almost 80 years. Orphaned during World War I, Bance and his two sisters were part of a British program that sent children who had lost their parents to foster homes all over the world.

At the age of seven, Bance was sent to work on a farm in Canada. For years, he tried to locate his sisters, but he had no success. His family says the British government withheld the information they needed to find them.

Two years ago, Bance's grandson Todd Goyette began a search of his own. Goyette sought his great-aunts via the Internet, and also sent out hundreds of letters.

"I guess I just put myself in his shoes," Goyette told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in a recent interview. "If it was my brother or sister, I'd want to know what happened."

At last, one letter reached the right person. In November, Goyette learned that Daisy Bance was alive and living in England.

During the holiday season, Albert, 84, was reunited with his older sister, Daisy, who is 85.

"It's so lovely to see you, Albert," she told her brother. "I don't want to let you go anymore."

For Albert, finding his sister was the "best Christmas present I ever had," he said.

Daisy plans to stay in Montreal with Albert's family for the week of New Year's. Next year, Albert's family will fly to England for Christmas with Daisy.