Twin sisters reunite after 78 years apart

FULLERTON, Calif. (KABC) -- It was an emotional reunion, for twins, back together after nearly 80 years apart.

Ann Hunt and Elizabeth Hamel were born in Aldershot, England, in 1936. Their mother was a domestic servant and couldn't afford to keep both babies after their birth father fled.

Ann, who lives in England, was given up for adoption and never knew she had a twin until last year.

"I wanted to pinch myself. Am I dreaming? Have I got someone? You know, it's me, you know, its part of me, you know, twin," said Ann.

Elizabeth, who lives in Oregon, knew she had a long lost sister, but never imagined they would be reunited. That was until she received a letter from Ann's daughter, Samantha Stacey.

"I opened it up, and looked at it, and my eyes popped out of my head," said Elizabeth.

The sisters agreed to take part in a California State University, Fullerton study into the lives of reunited twins.

For Dr. Nancy Segal, just the idea of studying the world's longest separated twins was a thrilling opportunity.

"I knew this was a very important case that I was not going to let slip out of my hands," said Segal.

Segal says the two long lost sisters share lots of similarities, both married men named Jim and both left school at age 15.

Researchers will take a closer look at the twins who were raised apart to better understand the role of genes and environment in human development.

The sisters, who are believed to be fraternal twins, and cousins plan to spend a week at Hamel's home looking at old photos and learning more about each other.

"You wonder about someone and what they're like and suddenly they're here," Hamel said. "It's a shock."

"It's a shock and a joy," Hunt added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.