Success Stories

I grew up the youngest of 4 children and my parents divorced when I was only months old, and we were never able to have contact with him. So to me I only ever had half a family and always wondered what having a father would be like as my mother never remarried. She did a great job! My mother was fostered out at 13 due to her own parents split and hasn't had any contact with them or any other immediate family for over 40 years...I found this sad and I craved an extended family with Aunts, Uncles and cousins. So began my quest to piece not 1 but 2 parts of my family. I have touched base and located information on my great Uncle, Aunt and cousins and others in here have been kind in offering assistance where they can with the little information I have on some. Inside and outside of Genes I have now found a family I only ever dreamt of. I have touched base with my Uncle, Aunt and 6 cousins, great Uncles, Aunts, grandparents and beyond..As any of you would know, these finds can be highly emotional and overwhelming. I have now met my great Uncle who has provided me with copies of certificates, photos and welcomed me and my family with open arms, he is the most loving person I could wish to meet...And next year I will visit my birth town where he lives to meet other long lost family members plus visit my grandparents graves. Unfortunately my father passed away before I began all of this research, but he is now at peace after a life or pain and addiction..Life has a way of only letting you deal with what you are strong enough for and this for me I think would have been too painful...But the closest thing to him, I will meet his brother (my Uncle) next year...you can imagine I can't wait, I have already spoken with him, and have photos of my real cousins..one of which my middle child looks identical to at the same age. My mothers side of the family (Lehunt) are harder to get close to and you can appreciate you cannot just walk into someones life if they dont want you there..it's tough, but I will rise to this challenge in a gentle way..They are my family and my childrens family...and they are an important part of our history...regardless. Good luck to everyone else and thank you to anyone I have corresponded with along the way.. Michelle Rath Family Names in search of, extend from mostly Australia (where I live) UK, Scotland, Ireland and Sth Africa. McDonald Lehunt Hunt Lee Hiscutt Kelly Partington Hodgson Kelly