Five generations of same family celebrate together for second time

It was a real family celebration when Olivia Read, a support worker for adults with learning disabilities, aged 24, gave birth to Harlee-Maie on April 11 at Walsall Manor Hospital.

The birth was a case of history repeating itself as she also became a fifth generation baby when her mother Elizabeth Mullin, from Willenhall, gave birth to her in 1996.

Now Olivia and her partner Luke have carried on the family tradition and there were hearty congratulations when baby Harlee-Maie met her 95-year-old great-grandmother Eileen Wassall and 60-year-old grandmother, Kate Lockley, both also from Willenhall, for the very first time.

New mum, Olivia, said: "She is my first child, it feels amazing, but also kind of weird the fact I am carrying on the family legacy.

"I have always wanted children, and knew that this would happen if I had a baby girl.

"At one point though I didn't think I could have children. We hadn't been using protection for a couple of years before I became pregnant, and a few months before this I was going to book into the fertility clinic to see if there were any problems. Then a few weeks later I found out I was pregnant on August 6.

"I had a mixture of emotions, because I knew I could have children I was excited, but also nervous and overwhelmed with emotion."

Olivia and her partner decided to keep the gender of their baby a secret, and due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time, decided to host a virtual gender reveal.

She added: "We found out we were having a baby girl before the rest of the family and we decided to do a gender reveal through Facebook Live. I was so emotional, I nearly started crying.

"When my family and friends found out, they were all so shocked and excited - but when my mum, nan and grandma all found out they were all completely overwhelmed that they knew I was carrying on the fifth generation with a baby girl.

"My friends are all over the moon, and luckily now that restrictions are easing nearly everyone has got to meet her and just fallen in love with her like we have."

The generations managed to get together on Monday now that Covid-19 restrictions have allowed gatherings.

Mother-of-five Elizabeth added: "It was such a big deal when I gave birth to Olivia and she was then a fifth generation child.

"Now we have a fifth generation child giving birth to another fifth generation.

"She is my first grandchild and is beautiful and we are all very proud of her arrival.

"I am a carer for my grandmother and she has already met Harlee-Maie as I take her with me to work.

"She is really over-the-moon about the baby."

Speaking about her family's legacy, great-grandmother Eileen, said: "I was surprised when Olivia told me that she was having a baby, I was pleased you can't help but be proud.

"It was very emotional at the beginning. To think my mother's fifth generation, which made me a fifth generation, is continuing.

"I'm very proud that I have got the privilege of being a great-great grandma.

"We are a very close knit family I don't know what I would do without Elizabeth.

"I am very proud of my family, and a very lucky lady. I thank god everyday for my fortune."