Thread: Finding my roots

I've known that I was an adopted child for as long as I can remember. I'd known little of the circumstances however.

With a growing list of heart problems, even a heart attack earlier this year, I broached the subject of finding my birth family with my adopted parents. They were surprised that I had not already done so years ago; thinking it had been a private matter i'd not wanted to discuss with them. So I had their blessing to search out my roots.

i was put in touch with a division of Barnados who specialise in such matters. Several months later and I was presented with a comprehensive dossier of my birth and adoption. Crucially, for the first time, I had my father's name. I'd already known my mother's name but had drawn a blank everywhere I'd searched.

Hey wow...that's full-on. Are you young enough that they might be still alive ?

I searched my father's name and a match popped up on Facebook with a group post saying he'd died in February this year. I messaged the post's author and discovered I have two half brothers from him. I met one of them a couple of weeks ago.

i was told that my birth mother had died. She had become a successful business woman in the film location business. I messaged some of her friends on her old Facebook profile, last updated six years ago. On Sunday evening I was contacted by a lady claiming that my mother was still alive. We have spoken twice on the phone. My mother is alive, very frail, but overjoyed. We are meeting tomorrow.

Fantastic ! Please keep us updated. This must be incredible for you on many levels...

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

. We are meeting tomorrow.

Fantastic news, all the best with the reunion.

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

two half brothers from him.

And extended family no doubt, interesting times.

Wonderful news, Lostandfound!

My father had a woman trying to contact him just before he passed away. They were both of one of those DNA sites. She was in Florida and said the DNA results said he was likely her half brother. Upset my father pretty badly. Dad said his father had been working away from home for many months in that area of Florida just before she was born. He would have nothing to do with her. He didn’t tell his other brother or sisters about the woman, either.

Very interesting L+F.

I have a half-brother that was sent for adoption from birth, around 4 years older than me.

I was told when I was 17 as when he turned 21 he had the legal right to get his biological parent's information, so could have turned up at the doorstep. He never made any contact with anyone, and no one has ever heard from him. Stems from my dad impregnating a 17 yr old while working as a beach life guard in his mid 20s with a wife and 2 daughters at home. Men eh, wot's to be done with 'em.

I'd probably be interested in seeing him, to see if we look alike etc, but not really interested in meeting him.


I've been meaning to do one of those DNA genealogy things that Mendo did a few years ago. Interesting to see your full history.

I've watched a few YT channels re: DNA tests and genealogy. I haven't taken a DNA test but from what I've seen, depending on which test kit one buys, one can get DNA matches and be matched with half siblings, cousins (1st, 2nd, 3rd) etc.

I've also watched some personal accounts/ vids of ppl who took DNA tests and some were surprised/ sad that the man whom they called dad & raised them was not the bio father (many accounts of that), some were more emotional than others. For some, the mother(s) didn't want to tell the offspring of the relationship because it was a deep dark secret. Some contacted their DNA relatives & developed friendships or relationships with them.

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I will take a DNA test in the future but am still uncertain of which company to do it with. For the popular sites like 23 and me, Ancestry & MyHeritage, Asian DNA/ populations are underrepresented, so they usually don't give detailed results. (They're good if you have Euro ancestry, though. That's something to consider if you have luk kreung/ mestizo kids who will take the test.)

Good sites for those with Asian ancestry are WeGene, 23mofang (both Chinese companies) and Gene Life (Japanese company).

I'm curious to know if I have DNA from Genghis Khan since my mom is from the mainland.

Pretty sure that from my dad's side, it will be Filipino/ Austronesian DNA. I doubt if I have Spanish/ Iberian DNA (very few % of Filipinos have) since my ancestors on his side looked mostly Filipino/ Austronesian. Although my paternal grandma was a bit fair skinned & her nose was a bit taller, so there's my doubt. I also have an aunt (my dad's sis) who looks a bit mestiza. <shrug>

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To L&F, good luck!

Originally Posted by Lostandfound

On Sunday evening I was contacted by a lady claiming that my mother was still alive. We have spoken twice on the phone. My mother is alive, very frail, but overjoyed. We are meeting tomorrow.

That's great news, bye and large i don't think women relinquish children easily so you two meeting will be wonderful for you both and will be a real blessing for her in her twighlight.

Is there a reason why you didn't do it earlier as your parents said? i suppose for many they don't want to cause "potential" pain to their parents, i mean adopted parent but they are to all intents your real parents.

Nice thread L&F, a change from most of the bitching and thanks for sharing the news. I hope you have time to get to know mum, i'm sure it'll be emotional.

That Genghis khan dude was a mad rooter so chances are you could have a bit of Genghis in you

Originally Posted by malmomike77

a change from most of the bitching

*cough*

Originally Posted by BLD

That Genghis khan dude was a mad rooter so chances are you could have a bit of Genghis in you

It's said that 1 in 8 people alive today descend from ol' GK.

He did say that devouring the women of his beaten enemies was one of his greatest enjoyments in life, and he sure beat a lot of enemies.

But here at teakdoor we have Looper. Our very own Genghis. That fookers been spraying the baby batter around worldwide. And a fair bit on the Gold coast Respecto

Originally Posted by katie23

I will take a DNA test in the future but am still uncertain of which company to do it with. For the popular sites like 23 and me, Ancestry & MyHeritage, Asian DNA/ populations are underrepresented, so they usually don't give detailed results. (They're good if you have Euro ancestry, though. That's something to consider if you have luk kreung/ mestizo kids who will take the test.)

Good sites for those with Asian ancestry are WeGene, 23mofang (both Chinese companies) and Gene Life (Japanese company).

Be careful, you giving away a lot of your private data.

I never would.

Originally Posted by katie23

Although my paternal grandma was a bit fair skinned & her nose was a bit taller,

You may have Spanish Conquistador blood in you.

@Eddie & BLD - maybe your mestizo kids (mestiza kid for Eddie) also have a bit of Genghis Khan in them since their mothers are mainlanders too. For some Eurasian people, I've seen them take a western-based company plus an Asian-based company, just to compare the results.

@willy - re: data privacy issues, I guess it's up to the person if he/ she is willing to submit their DNA profile to different sites. <shrug>

Interesting Katie!

A relative of mine traced our family heritage back 500 years.

It appears I'm a dependent of King Kavanagh of Ireland!

Gerald Kavanagh (Irish: Gerald Mac Murchadha Caomhánach), known as Gerald of Ferns, was King of Leinster from 1518 to 1522,

^cool! So should we call you Prince Joe?

I saw in an episode of "Who Do You Think You Are" that the comedian/ actor Danny Dwyer is a descendant of Edward the 2nd or 3rd (forgot which) of England. The actress Courtney Cox (from the sitcom Friends) is also a descendant of that same king.

Boris Johnson is a descendant of the illegitimate child of a German prince. In that episode, he visited the castle of his ancestor in Germany. The show was aired when he was mayor of London (I think), so he wasn't very famous outside of the UK. (I only knew about him when he became PM.)

The episodes are on YouTube. I liked the episodes with BoJo - showed his sense of humour.

Originally Posted by katie23

So should we call you Prince Joe?

You can call me anything you want!
Just don't call me late for dinner.

Originally Posted by Joe 90

Interesting Katie!

A relative of mine traced our family heritage back 500 years.

It appears I'm a dependent of King Kavanagh of Ireland!

Gerald Kavanagh (Irish: Gerald

I can only imagine how fed up he is having to look after you for 5 centuries

^

Originally Posted by Edmond

I have a half-brother that was sent for adoption from birth

Did you not get aborted by the family at age 28, just after the Oz scandal?

Originally Posted by Edmond

I've been meaning to do one of those DNA genealogy things that Mendo did

I watched this movie the other night about this guy who fathered over 500 kids via masturbating and selling his gunk to fertility clinics..and thought .....Mendy might have given him a run for his money if there was a mangel and some test tubes on his boat.