tracing his family, who may not even know he is alive.

Samuel Gonzales Martins is being cared for in a children's home in his homeland, Brazil. But he believes his parents and grandparents could be in Bermuda.

He has not seen his mother and father since January, 1991.

A spokesman for the children's home in Florianopolis, Brazil, said Samuel's parents used to have a pharmacy and bakery in the city of Sao Paulo, about 300 miles away.

Samuel ran away from home, telling his parents in a letter that he was going on an adventure.

His plan was to go to Bermuda and look for his grandparents, whom he thinks may live here. But while on the road he was robbed and lost his documents.

Eventually, after a year and a half away, he decided to go back to Sao Paulo, only to find his parents had sold up and gone. Neighbours told him they might have gone to Bermuda to be with his grandparents.

Speaking in his native Portuguese, Samuel told The Royal Gazette he remembered coming to Bermuda when he was nine, and recalled St. George's and Hamilton. He also remembers travelling across the Island's bridges.

His parents, Lourenco Gonzales Dos Santos, who is about 40, and Marilyn Soares Martins, about 33, are believed to have visited Bermuda in April, 1991.

His grandparents, Miguel Gonzales Dearrujo and Rose Elizabeth Dos Santos, are believed to live here.

So far Bermuda Police have not been able to locate either couple. The Island's small Brazilian community, which numbers 10 to 15 people, is helping in the search.

As a last resort, officials at the children's home are considering sending him to Bermuda, hoping the trip will jog his memory.

Sgt. Andrea Browne, of the Police community media relations department, appealed for anyone with information to contact her on 299-4291.