Genealogy Chat

Catherine I believe your father may have a right to apply for his father's Service record. That may contain a photo of him and added information too. I know someone who had success for their photo search, like that.

Gwyneth Thanks for that tip. I'll have a look into that. I've got an assortment of library books on family history so I'm sure one of them will tell me how to go about this. C

hi I found my mums brother. They were brought up as cousins but my mum always suspected something a bit strange. After 52 gap of not seeing each other I found him and wrote to him. (with her knowledge). He is 73 and when he read my letter he found out for the first time who he really is. He was brought up by aunty and uncle (childless) he had a different surname and knew his dad. They would never tell him who his mum was - my gran. He had no silblings but now has 6 and loads of neices and nephews. We met him and he was really nice. So, go for it. Claire

I have several 1/2 siblings, 1 my sister introduced me too, 1 i knew of and wrote to his mother (he is 8) and the other i wrote to his mum cos although in his 20's he lived at home. All have been successful. although yet to meet 8 yr old cos he lives abroad. Fi

Hi, I was contacted a couple of years back by my mother's half-brother. I had put a message on 'Trying to find' as I was looking for information about my deceased grandfather: I had an email saying 'I think your grandfather was my father.' Mum had always known she had 2 half-sisters and a half-brother and more or less when they were born; her own parents had split up in 1944. The new relations were kind and helpful and we sent emails and photos and we answered each other's questions; the sticking point was whether or not there had ever been a divorce as my gran had always refused to give her husband a divorce since he had left her and apparently it wasn't until 1971 that you could get divorced without both sides agreeing??? And my grandfather died about 1971. Even Gran's death certificate said 'Widow of...' In the scheme of things of course it doesn't really matter but I'm sure the idea was a shock to people who thought their parents were always married. Whatever the truth is, just go carefully as none of us wants to hurt the feelings of anyone else.

Hello and thank you to all those who replied to my request. I thought I'd just let you know that my dad and I have had a good chat and we have decided to write a brief letter to the suspected half brother in question. It is hopefully tactful, to the point and gives him the option of contacting us or not. We are going to post the letter on Friday to hopefully arrive on Saturday, so he has the weekend to digest the information. Since I last wrote, I have found out that my grandfather remarried in 1972, no more than 6 weeks after his divorce to my grandmother was finalised. It looks as though he married the mother of this half brother although I need actual certificates to verify this. They got married in a totally different part of the country to where they were living and the divorce papers show another different address. So we think there is a strong possibility that they married in secret. Perhaps their children and other relatives always believed they were married and as time went by it probably turned into a secret that was difficult to get out of. We think the new wife must have known my grandfather was married previously as I can't see her waiting around for the best part of 40 years without asking a few questions as to why they didn't get married. Whether it has all come out in the wash now we may find out soon. Anyway, I'll let you know what happens, good, bad or indifferent. I think I have rambled on far too much - goodness knows how I have managed to write a concise letter to this gentleman whose world I hope we are not about to disrupt too greatly. C

Hello. Just wanted to let people know, and particularly those who gave advice that we have had positive contact from my dad's newly found half brother. He has written a very positive and informative letter back and would like to meet. It turns out he has been doing a little family history also, although he had not unearthed my dad. He seems really pleased that we have made contact. It is a great relief as I was so nervous when I posted the letter. I even had butterflies the next morning when I imagined him opening the letter. Anyway, thanks again for the advice from you all. Catherine

OOh Catherine, I am keeping my fingers firmly crossed that everything works out as you hope!!! Sounds really positive at the mo though, doesn't it??!!!!! Brilliant! Good Luck - I hope your dad can get to see a photo too. Merry x (and x for dad too!)

Good news then Are you geographically near to each other - my half sibs are all over the country!(and ireland) which doesnt make it easier. hope it goes well, dont expect too much ...let things grow and dont try and push, Jess x

Great to hear of the positive response. I do hope that you are able to share more thoughts and memories with your new found contact. Gwyn

Hi Catherine, I am so pleased for both you and your father!!! The fact that he has written back and wants to meet is a very good sign and now hopefully your father will learn more about the father he didn't know, and have answers for a few of the questions I'm sure he has. Best Wishes to you both! Fiona.