Twins reunited after 78 years in California has reportedly set the Guinness World Record for the longest time twins had been separated before being reunited. The twins' names are Ann Hunt and Elizabeth Hamel from the UK and the US respectively. Ann and Elizabeth, the twins reunited after 78 years in California have met for the first time on Thursday, and set the new world record, reports The Guardian.

Ann Hunt was adopted at birth and lives in the UK, while her twin sister Elizabeth Hamel is from the US. Thursday is 78 years after they were separated. They are now the world's twins who have been separated for the longest time before being reunited, confirms the Guinness World Records.

Ann Hunt, one of the twins reunited after 78 years in California, was reportedly born in Aldershot, UK on Feb. 28 1936 to unmarried mother Alice Lamb. Ann was unaware of her twin sister until last year. Both baby girls were actually due to be adopted. However, a curvature in the spine of Elizabeth didn't make her suitable for adoption, reports CNN.

Elizabeth, the other one of the twins reunited after 78 years in California, grew up with her mother in Berkhamsted instead. Ann grew up with Hector and Gladys Wilson in Aldershot. She was 14 years old when she found out that she was adopted.

Ann's mother Gladys died in 2001, and that's when Ann found a copy of her birth certificate. Ann's youngest daughter started the search for Ann's twin sister Elizabeth through the use of local newspapers. She looked up electoral rolls and searched online forums. It was 2013 that she was able to successfully trace a family member of Alice's husband. The family member helped bring the sisters reunite and the twins reunited after 78 years in California.

The twins reunited after 78 years in California amazingly share similar histories. Both married men named Jim, they are now widowed, pray and have a similar sense of humour. The twins reportedly spoke to the BBC, and Ann said, "I feel like I've known Liz all my life now."