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Win a Chance to Have Your Family Mysteries Solved!

  • By Esther
December 31, 2017
Win a Chance to Have Your Family Mysteries Solved!

Do you have a mystery in your family that you are itching to solve? Maybe you found a war medal tucked away in an old box and you don’t know who it belonged to. Or perhaps you found a mysterious locket with initials you don’t recognize.

Many people run into brick walls in their genealogy research. When you come across these family mysteries, you will probably be left with burning questions and no one to turn to for answers. We want to help you discover the answers and solve the unknown.

Send your mystery to us at stories@myheritage.com for a chance to have it solved! Our dedicated team of researchers will help a select few solve their family mysteries!

Here is a list of possible mysteries you may have in your family:

  • Do you have a family member with whom your relatives lost contact with during a war and you want to track down their descendants?
  • Would you like to learn the truth about a family legend that has been passed down for generations?
  • Are there war medals that were once in your family that you would like to find?
  • Do you have old handwritten letters sent to or by someone you don’t know?
  • Has your family lost art during wartime?
  • Have you found an old diary written by someone you’ve never heard of before?

We are calling on all families to share your family mystery! It may be similar to one of those above, or something completely different.

In the past, MyHeritage has helped families solve historical mysteries. Here are just a few examples:

MyHeritage helps return art that was taken by the Nazis

New York Times reporter Doreen Carvajal worked with MyHeritage’s CEO and Founder, Gilad Japhet, to find the rightful owners of art taken by the Nazis. Together with Gilad, Doreen tracked down the living relatives of the owners of many art pieces in France, including an Albrecht Dürer chalk drawing from Hermann Goering’s collection of looted art.

A chalk drawing by Albrecht Dürer, once looted by the Nazis. Photo courtesy of The New York Times, 1996 Musée du Louvre/ Arts Graphiques

A chalk drawing by Albrecht Dürer, once looted by the Nazis. Photo courtesy of The New York Times, 1996 Musée du Louvre/ Arts Graphiques

The painting belonged to Gabrielle Tuffier, a French Resistance fighter who was deported in 1943 after the Gestapo arrested her for secretly transmitting radio signals from a castle in Northern France.

Tuffier’s brother, Nemours, also owned a painting of Christ on the cross by Rubens.

Ruben’s golden-hued triptych depicts Christ on the cross. Photo Courtesy of The New York Times, Angèle Dequir – Réunion Des Musées Nationaux.

Ruben’s golden-hued triptych depicts Christ on the cross. Photo Courtesy of The New York Times, Angèle Dequir – Réunion Des Musées Nationaux.

Doreen and Gilad used online genealogy sources, MyHeritage and Yad Vashem collections to locate living relatives of the owners of the looted paintings.

When they finally found Nemours Tuffier’s grandson – like many relatives of looted art – he had no idea his family once owned such famous paintings.

In the words of Gilad Japhet, “There is really a wealth of information if you are trying to solve a mystery, I can only say it’s not difficult, and everyone can do it.”

MyHeritage returns WWI medal to soldier’s family

MyHeritage helped return a Word War I British War Medal to a soldier’s family. 40 years ago, the medal was found in Australia by Rob McCaw while using a metal detector in a field. Since then, Rob had tried to find the medal’s rightful owner.

With the help of MyHeritage, Rob found the soldier’s descendants and he was finally able to return it to them.

Watch the inspirational video below:

We want to hear your family mysteries!

Send us your unsolved family mystery to stories@myheritage.com for a chance to have your mystery solved by our talented Research Team!

We can’t wait to begin breaking through those brick walls!

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  • Colleen(PITTER)Traynor

    December 31, 2017

    MYSTERY well ITS for real My late dad was in the Br Army way back in 1939 to 47 It was in 1941 my late mum with her nana n aunt landed in India from rangoon Burma
    She lost contact with her brother Lionel Later in 65 through a contact she got in touch with her sis For sometime we kept in touch by letter There again lost touch
    37 Sparks Street Rangoon
    Dad was from Cochin married my mum in 1942 He died in 1952 she in 1994
    THANKS
    no documents to show

  • Clarence Edward Matthews

    December 31, 2017

    The enduring mystery in our family is my paternal grandfather who died in 1958. At that time I was eleven years old, but I already had a curiosity about our heritage. George Thomas Matthews was orphaned at an early age when he and his sister Katie were sent to an orphanage in Pittsburgh. Both were adopted to different homes, but no one can say if our Matthews name is their birth name or the name of an adoptive parent. Attempts to solve the mystery have been many, but none have been successful. I began my work in earnest shortly before I retired and expanded my search, including DNA analysis, to no avail. I continue to search, but at age seventy with no children of my own, I know it will likely fall to someone younger to solve. My Heritage has been a valuable asset and it’s asking a lot, but I’m hoping for a lucky break.

  • Janet Tennison

    December 31, 2017

    We have always believed my great grandmother to have been born out of wedlock. Cannot locate any birth record for her and not even sure she was born in New Hampshire as everyone reported. I only have a name from her marriage certificate and not even sure if it is true or not.
    She was supposedly born in 1879 but cannot locate her in 1880 census. Help!

  • Kay Topping

    December 31, 2017

    My great, great grandfather, William Ware was born in the Newington area of London around 1820. He was convicted in a London court in 1841 and was sentenced to 7 years in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania, Australia). He was transported on the “John Brewer” and arrived on 6 April, 1842. The mystery surrounding him is related to his parentage. Detailed records were kept upon the arrival of the convicts in Van Diemen’s Land. Apart from a physical description, a note was made that William had stated that his father’s name was John Shute and that he took the name Ware from his mother, who was Mary Ann Clarke. The family have spent many years following up possible connections, but have not been able to solve the mystery of William Ware’s parents. I would love to think that 2018 might be the year this mystery is finally solved. Kind regards, Kay Topping (nee Ware)

  • Barbara Parker

    December 31, 2017

    My grandparents were from Lithuania. My grandfather served in the Czar’s Army and the story goes that he performed an dangerous deed serving in the Army and the Czar granted him a wish for doing so. His wish was that he, his wife and two small sons, be granted passage to the US. They arrived in Chicago, Illinois in 1904. He never told anyone what he did to receive a wish granted from the Czar.

  • Tina Thornhill

    January 1, 2018

    December 31, 2017: To Whom it May Concern, My husband and I have been working on different branches of our family trees for several years. Much to our surprise, his family line is traced back over 36 generations to the original family in England. Mine has more forks. We have tried and tried to find the origin of my great grandmother’s birth and parentage. No matter what we do, we have come up against a brick wall. We have theorized that she might be Native American, as told in family stories, left behind to serve as a servant, adopted? We have also not been able to get pass my great grandfather’s line from Germany, possibly due to the destruction of records? Yes, two mysteries! Our heads hurt from knocking them against the wall.

  • Linda Schaeffer

    January 1, 2018

    My gr gr grandfather James married Ellen Katerson and he died right after arrival in the States but cannot track her. She was widowed with a baby, who was my gr grandfather, as well as other children.

  • Natalia Pashkanis Dennis

    January 1, 2018

    Hi. One of my mysteries relates to my great grandad Georgy Pashkanis, his dad with the whole family was deported as political subjects from Lithuania to Russia for helping out in Polish – Lithuanian Uprising 1863. Despite that fact my my great grandad was surving in Russian Army during WWI. My dad remembers seeing photo of him with the Georgian Crosses (one or few hard to to say now). I have tried to find any records of it but so far no proof of that fact has been found.
    Another mystery is from my mum ‘s side. My maternal great grandad was Polish origin and living in southern Ukrain. Rzymowski Flor , got no records or photo of him what so ever. Hi is my mystery man.

    Kind regards
    Natalia Pashkanis Dennis

  • Janine Skurray

    January 1, 2018

    I would love to identify the father of my gr gr grandmother, Susan Allen, born illegitimate on the 14th Jan 1826 in Cheltenham Gloucestershire England according to her death cert. Family stories handed down indicate her father was a Duke and her mother his housekeeper. I feel confident in this story due to many circumstances that happened in her life. She had an arranged marriage to James Page, a son of a wealthy English family (this line is known) and sent to Australia in 1851 to marry her fiancé who arrived a year earlier to establish himself here. His family were against the marriage to a lowly servant or resident in the Duke’s estate, yet he arrived with great wealth, buying many plots of land, building a small temporary home and buying into several established businesses. A year later, according to some found documents, Susan arrived, escorted by a mystery companion, with a dowry of 1000 pounds. The reason for this “banishment” it is told, a son of the Duke (Susan’s half brother) was taking a romantic interest in her, not knowing their relationship and the scandal if her parentage became public knowledge. Family research has given weight to these stories, with unofficial visits to their home of a Duke (one of Susan’s half brothers) over many years which tie in with official visits to Australia, always stopping off in Adelaide first. There was 1 official visit to botanical gardens that my gg grandfather was patron and stayed on for 2 weeks. James Page, due to his linguist abilities, being educated in France & Switzerland became consulate agent for France and vice consul for Switzerland. I sure need help to break down this amazing wall.

  • Ron Morgan

    January 2, 2018

    I have been researching the Brick Wall we have amongst our family researchers ,My GGGG
    G Father b. abt 1775 with the name of Thomas Ablort Morgan is the person about whom we seek
    With a name of Thomas Morgan (of Wales) it is like looking for the proverbial Needle in a Haystack.
    From Thomas down almost all of the family have been found, some in South Africa and some in the USA and other lands.
    We need any assistance we can get – I am a Premium Plus Member and believe there are at least two other Morgan family members who are registered with My Heritage.
    I’d be grateful for a response and as stated any assistance available
    Cheers, Ron Morgan

  • Anita Johnson

    January 3, 2018

    My mother’s grandparents, John Lentz and Catherine Harrigan, both came to this country as very young children and no one seemed to know anything about their parents. Their marraige certificate (1888) that said she lived in Bethlehem, Lehigh, PA. We found a Katie Harrigan in South Bethlehem, Northampton, PA in the 1880 census. She was one of 3 stepchildren in the family. Sometime later I came across a photo in someone’s family tree that matched a photo we had of an unidentified couple. Turns out it was our Katie’s older brother and his wife. From there we found her father’s name, mother’s maiden name but that wasn’t really any help in tracking down the family. The various dates given for Katie’s birth and their immigration year are so close we don’t know if her father died here or in Ireland. When her mother remarried or where. Haven’t found the family on any passenger lists. The only family clue we have for John is a possible connection to an uncle in Philadelphia.

  • RoseMarie Mattsin

    January 6, 2018

    Hi.
    Our mystery is of our maternal Grand father Wilhem Laska from Slovenia. He was supposedly a double agent for the USSR and great Brittain. He was in Sweden working as a store decorator when he met my grandmother. While in Sweden he is supposed to have been taken in to custody of the Swedish federal police, but of this we have found no evidence. Eventually he dissapeared in mid air, on a flight from Stockholm. A few years later he sent a postcard (stamped in Brazil) to one of his colleuges in Sweden, saying he was ok and requested, no one search for him. No one has heard from him since. We would very much like to know the truth behind this story. Was he really a double agent, or did he take off as soon as the going got tough?

  • James Guth

    January 7, 2018

    About 35 years ago, my father told me that his mother had told him that our family is related to Catherine the Great of Russia and that the common ancestor lived about 200 years before Catherine. My grandmother was deceased when Dad told me this story, and he is also now gone. Nothing was said as to whether the relationship is in her paternal or maternal lines. I am not conversant in eastern European genealogy or languages, so I have not been able to pursue this story. It would be very interesting to be able to prove or debunk.

  • K Gray

    January 7, 2018

    My great grandfather Gregor Breyer committed suicide on Oct 31, 1877 in Cincinnati. I have been searching for decades to make a connection to his homeland in Burgheim, Germany. I also am looking for information on his wife Magdalena – I have so little about her – only about 3 alternate spellings of her maiden name making research so difficult. It’s like they floated around on a cloud and landed in Cincinnati.

  • Kathy Lampe

    January 8, 2018

    One of the mysteries in my family tree is my great-grandfather who came to Upper Michigan from Finland in the late 1800’s. It is said he was born out of wedlock. His petition for citizenship does list a father and mother but have hit a brick wall with all concerned. My brother said my mother sent C.A.R.E. packages to Finland during WWII but I have no records of that. His first wife (my grandmother’s mother) died shortly after grandma’s birth in Michigan but I can’t find any records of birth or death. This whole family is a mystery and on top of that the surname is spelled about five different ways.

    I would love to be a recipient of your contest.
    Sincerely,
    Kathy

  • Robert Feith

    January 10, 2018

    Informative

  • Ann Korb Uhl

    January 10, 2018

    My great grandfather was arrested for adultery in 1920, in Vermont. I have found newspaper articles about it but can find nothing about if he went prison. It caused a big riff in the family and my great grandparents separated.

  • Debbie

    January 10, 2018

    I’ve become stuck with finding who my father’s real parents are. It seems that he was given up (probably at birth) to a Catholic Orphanage in Denver, CO. He was adopted by Jerry & Kate Murphy when he was a year old. When Kate passed away, his adopted father returned him to the Catholic Charities to be raised. He was 5 years old at this time. I can’t find his real parents. He was 17 when the Catholic Charities released him. I know that he went into the Navy (probably around 1943/44). I remember seeing pictures of him in his uniform. So since his real name is probably not Murphy I want to know who his real parent(s) are. Why was he given up? Was he given up because his mother wasn’t married? Thanks.

  • Terry M. Eubank

    January 10, 2018

    I’ve always been told that their at least 4 Eubank brothers, and cousins fought in the revolutionary war John, George, Richard, and at least two in the battle of Trenton. How does one find this kind of information?

  • Ronald Alex Nathan

    January 10, 2018

    I wish to know more about my Maternal Great Grandmother and Great Grandfather (Margaret Broomhenn on her daughter’s marriage certificate) was reported to be Native Indian (Canadian) and married to Irishman Jacob Crathers. My eldest sister (Sheila Hinze) has seen a photo of her sitting in a rocking chair on her daughter’s porch in Toronto, ON, Canada and smoking a corn-cob pipe. A cousin has seen this picture as well. It has gone missing so there are only anecdotal references to follow. “My grandmother’s children were made fun of at school because their mother was 1/2 native. Bertha Maud Crathers (Feb. 29, 1876, my grandmother) was to have been the 10th child and monetarily too much. She was given/sold to the family of John (farmer) and Margaret Graham in the township of East Gwillimbury and town of Mount Albert, (north-east of Toronto, ON, Canada).” The 1871 and 81 Census’ don’t show her but the 1891 does. Here she is listed as a Domestic. 1901 Census has Bertha gone but Frances McClintoch as lodger. Bertha became a Nurse in Toronto, nursed Grandfather’s (John Mawson, 1859-1932) first wife (Annie Winspear Branch) until she passed Apr. 16, 1905 in Toronto. Bertha’s children’s birth certificates list their mother as follows: Jean (1904) as Bertha Maud Graham, Dinah(06) as Bertha Maud Cauthers, Edythe(10) as Bertha Maud Cruthers, Douglas(12) as Bertha Maud Crouthers. I’ve spoken with two life-long residents of Mt. Albert and have a picture of the Graham’s house, one of Bertha in the Hartman Bible Study Group c/w about 17 others (names included). Bertha was darker-skinned than the rest and may have used the name Graham to hide her heritage?

  • Ros Giliam

    January 10, 2018

    My husband’s family are said to be descendants of Lady Jane Seymour – one of King Henry VIII’s wives. Most of the men in the family all carry the name of Seymour – e.g. my husband’s name is Terrence Seymour Giliam. I have tried, without much success thus far, to trace his family back. His great grandfather was William Charles Seymour Hall – he is said to be the “Charlie Hall” who discovered gold in Australia and after whom “Hall’s Creek” is named. He also apparently had a lot of dealings with Cecil John Rhodes, and Barney Barnato. I would be forever grateful for some expert help in this regard.

  • Jeanne Chappell (Cummins)

    January 10, 2018

    Our family mystery is to find out more about my great-great grandfather George W
    . Reynolds who was kidnpped as a boy of 8 years old from England and when he was 13 he jumped ship on the coast of America and made his way to Georgia and Florida. Would like to know if his family in England tried to find him or just what happened. Also would like to find out about my Fathers side of the family, Mose Sidney Cummins, he always told me we were kin to Abraham Lincoln and on my Mother’s side we were kin to John W. Booth , would really like to know this is true. We are kin to the Booths I have already found that out, but the other I think my dad was pulling my leg. Please HELP this Nana.

  • Lynne Smith (Sylvia Lynne Bartram Smith)

    January 10, 2018

    I have searched for years to learn the resting place of my paternal grandfather David Bartram. I have very little personal information for him, other than he was probably born in 1859, in England. He was a coal miner; and that he was seriously injured, leaving him in a wheel chair for the rest of his life. He married Elizabeth Taylor, who was considerably youngerand they had two children, both boys. My father Arnold Taylor Bartram b. 1900 and my uncle David Bertram born 1902, both in England. (note the possibility of the surname being Bertram) Elizabeth moved to Australia and remarried in 1933 to ? Farey. I could be 100% wrong on this “guess”, but I think my grandfather may have married Mary Waugh who possibly died in a heart hospital. I really do need help, as I have been searching for so long, I have become confused with conflicting information.

  • Willa Smith

    January 10, 2018

    I have a couple of mysteries, well, perhaps not mysteries but problems I would like to have solved on both my father’s side of the family and on my mother’s side of the family. I would like information on my father’s grandfather, Morgan Smith. I know he was born in Aug. 1834 somewhere in South Carolina. I have no information and can’t seen to find any about his parents or sibling, if he had any. I have information on him from 1850 to 1900. On my mother’s side, we have been told that Phidelia Gates who married my mother’s grandfather Charles Phelps Warner was adopted and that she is Native American.
    Can’t find any information about either of these.

  • Myron Redmond Knight

    January 10, 2018

    I have been a member of “My Heritage” for a few years,and have created The Knight Family site. I have traced my Family Tree back to Europe,and have discovered that through various twists and turns, that I may have family connections to Queen Lovisa Ulrika (1720-1782) Queen of Prussia,and Sweden and would like to verify this connection as being true.
    Thanks in advance,
    M.R.Knight

  • Diana A. Livingston Ingersoll

    January 10, 2018

    My brother, now deceased, and I have been searching for our 5x great-grandfather for about 40 years now. He even took a trip to Scotland in his search.

    We know his name: James Livingston (not related to famous NY Livingstons)
    When he was baptized: 16 Nov 1714 at St Ninians church in Stirling Scotland.
    Who his parents were: Robert and Janet (Gillespie) Livingston
    When he immigrated to America: 1738 on a ship captained by Capt. Lauchlin Campbell
    Where he landed: New York
    Where he lived: Monaghan, York, Pennsylvania
    That he served in the Monaghan Militia during the Revolutionary War (I can’t find the records and my brother didn’t send them to me)
    That he had two sons, Hugh and William as well as a couple daughters (per tax report)

    BUT I can not find a marriage or mother for these sons. It bothers me that I don’t have this pertinent information)
    Nor do I have a death date but presume it was where he was living. (I found a tentative burial date of 30 Jan 1781 but it’s not substantiated.)
    I have that Hugh married Margaret Haslet Jones in 1803 but not sure that is correct.

    This has been a long road for both my brother and I and I don’t even have all his findings, he passed away a couple years and I’m on my own now. I have searched every known research log that I can find and get 0 results. I want this for a DAR supplement and it has to be well documented. PLEASE, can you help me with this brick wall?

  • Didi Olivier

    January 10, 2018

    I can’t trace any relatives of my grand father Jan Wellmann. He came as a dam builder to Namibia and Married a baster women. He was disowned by his family. Would be great to trace the family.

  • Bonnie Kelsey

    January 10, 2018

    I am always stumped when it comes to Irish records. My daughter has a distant Irish grandfather who settled in Kentucky, married, and became successful in business until his mental health caused him to be committed to an insane asylum in Western Kentucky for almost 20 years. I have not been able to find his arrival date in the US, the port he came in through, or other family members he may have come with. I have been able to find an older brother and his naturalization information, but nothing for the grandfather in question. I am still plugging away after 20 years in this search. Still hoping something new will be added to records today or tomorrow.

  • Michele

    January 10, 2018

    Would love to find the mystery surrounding my gg grandma. I’ve heard bits of the story, but really don’t know why.

    It was told to me that my gg grandmother, Adelia Craig Bancroft, from Wisconsin, was sold to my gg grandfather, Ekeziel Bancroft, when she was 15, and he in his mid 40’s.
    Through the family channels, it was said that her parents, my ggg grandparents, owed Ekeziel money, and therefore, Adelia was the grand prize. They had 13 children together, and then she moved on.

    I would really know what the true debt is, and what could be that bad, in order to sell off your own daughter?

  • John R Macdonald

    January 10, 2018

    An interesting but more esoteric brick wall is the true origins of the Alburquerque name in Lorca, province of Murcia, Spain. Many genealogies show descent from a Martin Gil (1325-1365) who was killed on the orders of Pedro the cruel. He was the son of Juan or Joe Alonso and Isabel Meneses but following his death there was litigation over his estate which clearly shows he had no legitimate offspring. The questions are what was the original origin of this claim? What were the true origins of this family and was there a connection to Juan Alonso, also known as the coffin?

  • Cindy Loftus

    January 10, 2018

    My Great Grandfather was known to the family as a drunken Indian, turns out he was a drunken English man. I was told his name was Earl E Oxford, but they called him ”Gilly or Early“ His father was Lafayette David Oxford and his mother was Sarah Jane Calton, they also had a son called Gilbert E Oxford,and I don’t know if this is the same person. I added the Earl E to the heritage site after I found his death Certificate dated 1942. It had his wife listed as my Great Grandmother Pearl Green, His Father and Mother as Lafayette and Sarah Oxford , it showed, his liver was enlarged, died indigent, and buried in a poppers grave at the Sparks County farm cemetery in Mo. There was a Cousin, born around the same time with the same name Earl Earnest Oxford born to William Oxford who died in 1957,(he was a completely different person and had a different death Certificate). I am still trying to figure out if Earl and Gilbert are the same person, and why the death Certificate would say Earl E Oxford if his name was Gilbert . Earl E Oxford also had a military record showing he was kicked out because of his drunkenness, (I’m assuming this is also my Great Grandfather). I am still trying to figure out if Sarah had Earl at 48 years of age and if Gilbert and Earl are the same person. I did find Indian Heritage back 5 more generations (Bathsheba Oxford, daughter of Jarfly Barrett).

  • Roger Adragna

    January 10, 2018

    I have not found my fathers birth certificate. He thought he was born in Brooklyn and did an extensive city wide search, knowing this I back tracked his family by birth of other siblings (again i do not think he had any) I found them near Pittsburgh pa 1921. but no recorded cert. of my father —-later in life I find him listed as Nicholas Adragna as boarder and finally in Port Washington High School as Nicasio Adragna

  • Nancy Christenson/Rogers

    January 10, 2018

    I haven’t been able to go past my great grandfather on my fathers side. Some information that I have received I don’t think is correct. My father told me that after his mother died, his father re-married shortly after that, and no one in the family will talk about it, so of course I have no information. I know they were from Denmark and came about 1888 to the USA, but that’s all.

  • Gary Marshall

    January 10, 2018

    My paternal grandfather was born Ontario Canada supposedly in 1887. There is no birth or baptismal records for him.. The 1891 census lists him as a son but the 1901 census lists him as a grandson. The woman listed as his mother would have been 47 when he was born; had 6 daughters and had not given birth for 7 years, I have my DNA results but nothing has shoiwn any results to date. Can you help?

  • Stella Thompson

    January 10, 2018

    I have been looking for my ggrandfather for over 40 years with no luck ,he was borned in Virginia 1818 and I found him in the 1880 cencus of Mason,West Virginia with 2 Sons Andrew my grandfathers Dad, there is also a son Robert. Andrew was borned 1860 & Robert 1862,Joseph Laudermilk was born 1818 this is who am looking for also would like to know who was Dudley L Laudermilt Mother he was born 1874 Mason,West virginia. Thannk you Stella

  • Pieter van der Westhuizensthuizen

    January 10, 2018

    I have been trying to find out who the parents were of SA Progenitor Pieter Janz vander Westhuizen born in Brugge circa 1630. and where they lived?
    Thanks

    Pieter van der Westhuizen

  • Deborah potter

    January 10, 2018

    My biggest mystery is my father. My birth mother truly believed one man was my father. Kept his letters since 1954. Her sister adopted me. My mother married and had other children still keeping these letters. I researched and found a cousin. Eventually the whole family. Went to this mans funeral and wept for a man I believed was my father. 7 years someone decides to do a DNA test. Nope. Not related. My birth mother has passed and I truly believe she would be shocked to know it wasn’t him.
    I know she was heading overseas in March 1953. I know I’m 43% Scandinavian. No one knows who my father is. Not him or his family. That’s a mystery.

  • Brenda JoAnn Allen

    January 10, 2018

    My Great grandfather married my Great grandmother, Catherine Missouri Bennett, under name of Reese Burks, yet a short while later, they were referring to themselves as Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Burtz (documented from several newspaper social columns). He is buried as Robert C. Burtz. We believe he was born in either Georgia, North or South Carolina, but can find no records. The death certificate shows his mother’s name as Sarah Griffin, South Carolina, and father as Sunberry (could be different as handwritten and very hard to read) Burts. I cannot locate any information on either of them. Help!

  • Pamela.Payne

    January 10, 2018

    I’m trying to find my family on my dad side. I have very little information, I know he is that he lived in Montreal, Canada . He had a brother there as well and children. He was married when he got together with my mom, and he got her pregnant with me and he took off back to Montreal and I just met him when I was 26 years old and had a family of my own. We kept in touch for a bit and then I lost touch with him. I took a DNA and it gave me more questions and then answer. I noticed I have a lot of family in the . I’m 51 years old and I’m afraid I’m going to leave this world not knowing my dads family. I pray all the time for a lucky break.

  • Jim Chwalkowski Vincent

    January 10, 2018

    My family surname is Chwalkowski. My grandfather (Vincent) his brother (Lucjan) and my great grandfather (Tomasz) came to the US in 1906 from Praszka, Poland (at the time Russia). The story goes, my grandfather and his brother had been demonstrating against the Tsar and were to be arrested. They found out about this and with their father escaped on horseback with the Cossacks in pursuit. My great grandmother and their other children came to the US in 1909 but I have never been able to find out if there were other Chwalkowski family members in or around Praszka and what happened to them.

  • Gail Clouston

    January 10, 2018

    Looking for my Birth Father who nobody seems to know. Now that all relatives on Birth Mothers side have passed away I no longer have any routes to follow. Would love to have this mystery solved, I am 72 years old so most relatives would now be deceased. Really hard for me

  • Michael

    January 10, 2018

    On my father side I dead end with Andrew Clubine who came from Europe to the Jersey shores I have heard rumors of the Channel Islands. In the early 1700 ‘s.

  • Cynthia Besser

    January 10, 2018

    I have a Great Great Grandfather Thomas J Decker. Born about 1813,1814 in Lucerne PA. He married a Sarah Bodfish. Her mother was Prudence Ingersoll, a old family in this country.
    My Great Grandfather was James Benjamin Decker he was their oldest child.
    My cousin searched for 20 or more years to find Thomas Decker’ s parents and I have searched an additional 16 to 17 years with no luck. Other cousins have searched and no parents.
    This is our family mystery.
    If you could help I would love to tell my old cousin that searched for 20 years or more before she dies who his parents were.
    I would love to receive your help on this mission.
    If you need more info please let me know.
    Thank you sincerely for your consideration.
    CYNTHIA (Cindy) Besser

  • Matilde Rivera Moulton

    January 10, 2018

    My father Francisco Rivera Bernal who I didn’t get to met married a lady by the name of Esperanza Valleyo.they had 8 kids. I’m an only daughter my mother didn’t have anymore children so I have tried to look for my siblings on my father side but have not been successful.so if u can help me I would appreciate it very much thank you

  • Elaine Wilson

    January 10, 2018

    My mystery is simple, I can’t find my great great-grandfather. It’s like my great-grandfather appeared by magic. I have a fairly common last name but my recent ancestors have very uncommon surnames. I regret not getting more information from my parents and grandparents. Unfortunately I have no males from that line.

  • Terri Lortie

    January 10, 2018

    My great grandfather fought in thr civil war….I have found his pension application
    And my great grandmother’s application for widow Survivors benefits …I have found His death certificate and marriage record but I cannot find any documentation that shows who his father and mother were….I have also been trying to find out who his first wife was and what happened to her and the children they had together….. My father is ninety years old and I would love to solve these mysteries while he is still with us…

  • Judy Bergman

    January 10, 2018

    I am looking for information on my grandfather, Charles Seaward born circa 1901. I have his death record. I know he died in June 1927 of tuberculosis. I know he worked for the Newfoundland Railroad. I have been unable to locate any other information on him. I’m especially interested in his parents’ and siblings’ names and location of their birth.

  • Kay Livezey

    January 10, 2018

    My paternal great grandfather was a gambler. He would leave for months and return home either with or without winnings. One day when my grandmother (his daughter, Francis Elizabeth Browning) was little he left and never returned. Eventually my great-gmother remarried but until the day she died, anytime she was in a crowd of people she would search faces looking for him. Charley Browning, b. 1877 Mississippi.
    We would like to know what happened to him and why he never returned home.

  • Doug Cobham

    January 10, 2018

    Can you please help. My Late Grand farther William James Cobham d 1869 Keightley Yorkshire he was married in 1890 to Francis Campinot b 1867 backup Lancashire thy had 2 children Franchise E b1894 b Whitehaven
    Cobham and Marie b 1898 Blackburn Lancashire Cobham Francis H the mother also had a son Egear Campinot. She and her 3 children left my Grand father and moved to New Jersey USA in1900
    Thy are living with my great Grand father William Cobham And great Grand mother Sarha J in New Jersey 1901 census .Her daughter Francis H and here and her self disappear never to be seen a gain .her son Edgear and daughter Marie go on to get married and have children. I have been researcheing to fined both Francis E for over 15 years no one in the family seems to no where thy went .my Grand father William James also pisapears of the 1901 dritish census . But did not go to America
    .He re appears in 1905.re married In 1907 to my Grand mother in Carlines . can you fill in the gaps for the 2 Francis’s where did thy both go

    Regards Douglas Cobham

  • KateSanderson

    January 10, 2018

    I would like to trace my Uncle William (Willie), who was born William Neill, in Mountmellick, Laoise, Ireland

  • KateSanderson

    January 10, 2018

    Looking to find my uncle, William Neill, born 1922 in Mountmellick, Laois, Ireland. willie was last heard of in the late 1940s when he was, allegedly deported from England. Since then, nothing, accept a suggestion that he might have gone to Australia, as I, myself, did. Would love to be able to catch up with any family he might have had. The family was variously known as Neill or O’Neill. Many thanks.

  • Jerold Wertheimer

    January 10, 2018

    We are looking for the village that my grandfather grew up in Hungary.

  • Sandra Haines

    January 10, 2018

    Our family mystery is about my great grandmother. Nell Annette was born in Cook County, Illinois in 1885 or 1886 and lived with her mother (not sure about father). Sometime before 1900 she was :given” to the Iron River, Michigan authorities and was adopted by Reverend and newspaper printer Donald MacDonald and his wife Susan. (Her adopted brother wrote in 1961 that Nell was taken away from her mom because of a fire. Nell later ran away from home, settled in Escanaba, Michigan and married my great grandfather. They only had one son. She divorced him for abandonment and went on to marry 4 more times! Based on the 1900 census her parents were of Sweedish ancestry. We would love to know who her parents were and if she really was Sweedish!

  • Pamela Scharaga

    January 10, 2018

    My Grandmother whom I adored is my greatest mystery. She was sent to the USA by my grandfathers company when there was an outbreak of cholera in Mexico. My Grandfather abandoned my Grandmother,Aunt and Mom in NYC. My Grandmother

  • Lois Mclaughlin

    January 10, 2018

    Looking for my dads sister who disappeared in 1929 with her brother-in-law – from her brother Walters funeral in Cinti, Ohio, she was on leave from Orient Mental Hosp. in Ohio (She entered there in 1909 or 1908 she is signed in there.. At this time she was 21 they fled together, leaving with Mr.Wm (?) Gas.?..Davis’s wife Vesper & Daughter Doreen & her pregnant with a son (Billy) Davis. Not to be heard from again, thought was, they ran away to KY. ? They said she was beautiful. His children grew up without a father in Terrace Park-Milford, area…

  • Lois Mclaughlin

    January 10, 2018

    Looking for my dads sister who disappeared in 1929 with her brother-in-law – from her brother Walters funeral in Cinti, Ohio, she was on leave from Orient Mental Hosp. in Ohio (She entered there in 1909 or 1908 she is signed in there At age 12.. At this time she was 21 they fled together, leaving with Mr.Wm (?) Gas.?..Davis’s wife Vesper & Daughter Doreen & her pregnant with a son (Billy) Davis. Not to be heard from again, thought was, they ran away to KY. ? They said she was beautiful. His children grew up without a father in Terrace Park-Milford, area… Her name was Anna Malsbary. My father was Hoyt Malsbary. I was Lois Malsbary maiden name & this has always bugged me…Its like I NEED TO KNOW….Thanks for your help.

  • Betty Poznanski Hirsch

    January 10, 2018

    My parents were holocaust survivors. My father never spoke about his experiences or his past or his family who were all exterminated in the holocaust. I would like to know how many brothers and sisters my father (Abraham E. Poznanski) had (and their names).
    I would like to know anything about his father (my grandfather) – when and where was my grandfather born? What did he do for a living? Did my grandfather have any siblings? What were my grandfather’s parent’s names? Any information is more than what I have now, which is almost zero.
    My grandfather’s name was Schulim Poznanski and he married Szejndla Tennenberg (I have been able to find info on her line). My father was born in Niwka (today part of Sosnowiec, Poland). I know nothing of my gandfather, Schulim. Your help would be very much appreciated.

  • Michael Gilfilian

    January 10, 2018

    Our family mystery or as I call it the logjam has to do with my Ggrandfather all I know is his name, birthday, mom and dad. We can’t find out whether or when he came to the United States. I know it was before 1917 that’s when my Ggrandparents married. After having 2 son’s he passed away at a young age. We don’t know when he died, where he died. They lived in S. Dartmouth and New Bedford, Ma.

  • Joan King

    January 10, 2018

    I have been looking for who my birth father was for about 6 years now with no luck. I had a name on a birth certificate but DNA proved no connection whatsoever. The birth mother on her death bed told my half sibling that we shared the same father. DNA has already proved this was not the case as he is a half sibling BUT I do have some names that are from his family tree with a DNA connection further back so I am wondering if I came down another part of the tree by the same name but still cannot find anything. I would love to know where I came from and sadly all the family relatives have passed on now for testing and am trying to find out before i die so i can pass down a family tree to my children and grand children. Many thanks

  • Pamela Scharaga

    January 10, 2018

    My Maternal Grandmother was and is an enigma. She said she was born in Barranquilla Colombia and yet on the Eliis Island site she lists Kingston Jamaica as her place of birth. She spoke fluent English and Spanish.My Maternal Grandfather was a rake and he abandoned her in the USA when the oil Co. he was working for rerouted the families to the USA from Mexico because of a cholera outbreak. She was a lady. I think she decided to pass as white so she could get a better job than a maid. got a job in a garment factory. I can not find a birth certificate for her. She said she was an orphan by the time she was 9, yet on her marriage cert, she lists Roland Theopolis Matthews as her father.On Ellis Island a Mrs. .A. Hather is listed as her mother and living in Kingston still. Her story was her mother was coming to the USA by boat to buy supplies for a beauty salon when she drowned. My aunt said she fell off the gangplank. My mom said she had a death grip on the boat as it sunk. My Grandmother later in life told me she lived in Panama as a child and watched the canal being built and then again where she met my Grandfather and had my Aunt Betty. she said she lived with her grandmother who took her to Synagogue and Church. She lived in Colombia and during the big earthquake the house they were living in fell down on them and the students of her Uncle’s school dug her and her grandmother out. My mtDNA is L2a1. Noone in my family believed me that Gram was part Black or possibly a Crypto Jew. When my Mom was alive, before I tested my DNA she admitted the Nurse put Negro on her birth cert. and my Grandmother tore it up. The only time my Gram spanked my Mom was when a lady babysitting my Mom played her Calypso music and asked her if it was the music of her people. My Mom was too little to understand. she told my Gram. Gram got mad and asked how did you respond? Mom said she just shrugged her shoulders.” but, Mom got a spanking anyway. Gram had only 1 cousin that I know of. His name was Ivan Matthews. I met him once with my Mom and Grandmother when I was a child. I found 2 Ivan Matthews born in Jamaica and one that emigrated to Panama I also found an R.T. Matthews who worked on the Panama Canal. I once sent my DNA to Dr. McDonald. He said I had Cochin and Menashe & Iranian Jewish DNA. Another story my Mom told me was Gram was descended from an Indian Princess!

  • Charles L. Hunt

    January 10, 2018

    I would love for your team to help me find my maternal grand mother, my mother was left to be raised by her grand mother, her mother disappeared when she was 8 years old. after marrying my father, she went on to have a total of six children , eventually giving all of us up and disappearing herself.not sure if my grand mother’s abandonment of my mother led my mother to make the same decision.wanting to know

  • Bobbi Dodge

    January 10, 2018

    My husband’s great great grandmother was Margaret Head, wife of Eber Lorenzo Dodge. Margaret was supposedly born 4 August 1839 and she and Eber were married 23 July 1857 in Coldwater, Branch, Michigan. Margaret was orphaned as a child and is on the 1850 Burlington, Calhoun, MI census with the Amasa Underwood family which says Margaret was 10 years old, born in New York. 1860 Union city, Branch, MI census says she was born in PA; 1870 census b. PA; 1880 census b. NY, parents b. NY; 1900 census b. Aug 1839, NY and parents b. NY.
    Have searched numerous records for 50 years for her parents to no avail. The only clue is the fact that there was an Anson P. Head on the 1860 Branch co., MI census living next door who was from Lansing, Tompkins, NY b. Feb 1825, and also lived in Barton, Tioga, PA. We have been unable to find any connection between Anson and Margaret. Anson’s parents were Joseph Head and Polly Mead who d. 1851 in Lansing and Joseph married her sister? Catherine Mead who d. 1880 in Lansing.

  • Rose McCranie

    January 10, 2018

    I have been searching to find my mothers parents names and some history on them. All I know is they died a week apart in Arkansas, possiably Fordyce, Ark. Both children were put in St. Joseph Orphanage in Little Rock, Ark. Her brothers name was Oscar Clvarence Jones and my mother name was Ada Mary Virginia Jones,. She was born in Fordyce, Ark on Nov. 24, 1906.Would love to find the puzzle pieces to this mystery. They were very young children when all of this transpired in the early 1900.

  • John Thorson

    January 10, 2018

    My wife’s family tree includes Beranard Baruch. Family lore has him related to a revolutionary war veteran Isaac Marks. At one time the DAR recognized this link but it was later denied as there is an apparent missing link between them. The DAR has worked on this in the past but could not locate the link at that time. Perhaps, with the resources now available, the link can be found. Family lore has the missing link residing in Barbados, however my wife and daughters visited Barbados and could find no records there. The DAR national record number is 57488 and the state number is 6269.

  • Rev. Fr. Robert Wills

    January 10, 2018

    My name is Robert William Wills (b. 1950) My great grandfather was Joseph James Wills, born in 1861, at an unknown place in England. I have his marriage license, several census reports, ship records of his coming to America, and a lot of information about him in Chicago. His father was William Wills born in 1827, according to census records from 1900. He died in Chicago in 1902, and his son died in 1908. I have good records on both of these men after the 1870’s but can’t find either of their birth records or who were William’s parents. I believe Joseph James Wills, his son, was illegitimate with his mother, a Gill woman, dying in childbirth. She was probably named Eliza Gill. Several Gills lived with Joseph James Wills when he came to Chicago. I need help finding this particular William Wills’ parents and place of birth. I had a DNA test done and oddly enough, I have no Wills family matches. It seems that I am not related to any Wills prior to Joseph James Wills and his enigmatic father. My Wills heritage goes back no farther than this 1827 William Wills, who I know was a livestock broker and feed store owner. But, who were his parents and where was he born? I really need help with this.

  • Timothy Talbot

    January 10, 2018

    I come from a long broken family on my father’s and mother’s side been working on my family tree and hitting dead ends it’s been my #1 buckit li

  • Mary Gillen

    January 10, 2018

    I have found the birth date for my uncle, Owen F Cassidy, born in Mullaghmore, Augher, Co Tyrone, N Ireland on 5 Sept 1904 but I cannot find any more information about him, including his date of death. I have been able to find the dobs and dods for all my other uncles and aunts. I would be very grateful for any information.

  • Ann

    January 10, 2018

    Many in the Kirkman lineage have been searching for the Cherokee connection of Susan (nee Johnston) Shoemaker Kirkman. Her adoptive parents were both born in Kanawha Two Mile, Kanawah VA USA (John Shoemaker and Jane Casdorph). We are not sure they adopted her but rather took her into their family when her parents died. Susan was born in 1824 in VA and died between 1874 and 1879 in Pilot Grove, Cooper, MO. All above migrated from VA to MO, reportedly dropping out there during the Trail of Tears migration. Susan Shoemaker married on 1 Jun 1848 to Samuel Kirkman who was born between 1823 and 1824 and passed 15 Mar 1873. My great grandfather, son of Susan and Samuel Kirkman, Joseph Calvin Kirkman was born 19 Dec 1859 and died 28 May 1942 in Sutter, CA.

    We are most interested in finding the true parents of Susan. I do have a photo (charcoal drawing copy) of Susan and photos of her son Joseph Calvin at two or three different ages during his life.

    Another avenue is paternal, my aunt Dolores Smith Stetz, relayed to me about two weeks prior to her death in Flint Michigan that her father, my grandfather, was half Cree or Algonquin, which is part of the Powatan tribal family. His father was Frank Sparvareaux, a Canadian trapper, who when he and his brother left Canada settled in upper Michigan along the border. He married a native American. Grandpa, Thomas Orly (adopted name Smith) was a child of that marriage and there were possibly others. We find no record of the Sparvareaux name. We know the name “Orly” is of French ancestry. I learned also from my aunt that this native American connection didn’t come to she and my dad and their six siblings when they were younger due to living in the city and grandpa didn’t want them to have the ‘breed’ moniker attached to them like it had been to him. If the eight siblings were told of this before my grandfather died in 1960, it was not shared with their children until much later in life. My dad never shared it with me nor did my mother share the Cherokee connection of above.

    Any help along these avenues would be greatly appreciated.

  • Joseph McCrthy

    January 10, 2018

    I am a member of Heritage .com and have numerous tree built on you site. There is one family mystery that I have been unable to solve for the past forty years or more and could use some help. It involves my maternal great grandfather and grandmother, William Hughes and Grace Carlin-Hughes. I finally found out where they were married, know they had two sons, Alphonsus (my grandfather) and Eugene. but they disappeared during the 1890’s. Apparently William abandoned Grace and the boys because I have uncovered a court record where he was to appear, but nothing until 1908 when a newspaper article announced Grace’s death in Cleveland, Ohio. I did a census research for Cleveland Ohio and found a William and Grayce Hughes who had a son Joseph, but nothing beyond that. Grace was buried in her home state of Pennsylvania but nothing more can be found.

    Any clarity on this would be appreciated.

  • Mary Catherine Moss

    January 10, 2018

    My mystery block deals with my great Aunt Alice who died in a car wreck in 1939. I know where she is buried and most of the family details about her. The mystery is her daughter Katherine who was about 13 years old when her mom died. She went to live with my great Aunt Faye for awhile which was documented in the Census Report for 1940. I had heard stories as a child about her dying at a very young age. I have searched and searched with no clue as to when or where she died much less, as to where she is buried. She is not buried with her mother which I find to be very strange. I would love to find Katherine and what happened to her. To have help with this mystery would be a wonderful start to solving where is Katherine.

  • Sharon Reif

    January 10, 2018

    Here is our family mystery. We cannot find who the parents of Thomas H. Young were. He was a multi great grandfather of my husband. We know, from census and death records, that he was born in Tennessee about 1796-1798. He married Cynthia Jones, about 1826-1827, maybe in Illinois, and their first son, John P. Young, was born about 1827-1828. We cannot find documentation for their marriage or the birth of this son. Cynthia died in 1868 in Illinois. We have her place of burial and probate. Thomas died in 1870, Schuyler County, IL. We have his place of burial and his probate. Still no mention of who his parents were. Even in the records of his wife, her parents were mentioned (Edmund Jones and Cassandra Phelps), but no mention of where her husband was from except “Tennessee”. Many users on FamilySearch and Ancestry has named his parents, but with no sources or documentation, and we look through their research that shows nothing to support their claims. We would just like to get back further than a 1796-1798 birth. So frustrating!

  • Tim Brown

    January 10, 2018

    The story goes in our family, my GT grand father was half Native American but I don’t know which tribe. His name is Ralph Laws born 1832 in Virginia near White Post, he married Nancy Clayton who to was said part Native American, born 1834 in Virginia (Clayhill Va), which I could never find, only a plantation.. I as well of other family members of the family took DNA test, and we were less than 1% Native American and around 21% European. I as well as the other members of the family would love to know the history of Ralph Laws and wife Nancy Clayton, that settled down in White Post and Winchester VA.

  • Susan Hes

    January 10, 2018

    My husband died in 1995 when our children were aged 13 and 15 years old. On the very day before he died he decided we would all take a journey to his home country to see his now returned family home in the Czech Republlic. I have no idea where it is and he has no close living relatives as his own father died when he was one year old in 1949 and he had no siblings. His children wonder what became of his home and I wonder where to start my search for their proven but non existent very close family.

  • Marie Mitchell

    January 10, 2018

    My mom died when I was 3-1/2 & it wasn’t until I was 22 that I found out my dad wasn’t my bio-dad. The secret died with her & any one else with knowledge of the truth. I’m 60 years old, in Dec 2017 I had my DNA done by you and in turn uploaded it to the Family Tree site. THE MYSTERY is…….Now I’m matched with over 2000 people I cannot (Repeat: CANNOT) find a common denominator with. I’ve even gone so far as to research adoptions for the day, county, state & gender for myself and that was a bust too. I’m SOOO confused – please help me??!!!!

  • Christine

    January 10, 2018

    Hello,
    I’m trying to locate any information on my Opa’s side of the family, can’t find anything, but more important who is the son that was born before my Dad. My Dad found out that he had a half brother (from Latvia) after my Opa died and my Oma (who isn’t the childs mother) wont talk. I would like to try to find him. I have posted photos of a wedding picture on Latvian facebook posts, but without luck, on a positive note, I was able to find information on my Opa’s mom’s side. Please help!!
    Thanks, Christine.

  • tracey

    January 10, 2018

    My father went missing in 1979.
    A death certificate was never issued.
    His plane went down in shallow water but his body was never found.
    There are rumors that he is still alive, but no one has ever heard from him again.
    I found two brothers and two sisters on my heritage.
    It would be amazing if we could find our father.

  • amy holmes

    January 10, 2018

    I have been searching for my great great grandmother and grandfather on my dads side of the family. That would be my grandma and grandpa’s mom and dad’s. They are indains and its hard to fi d anything out about them because I dont know anything at all. No names , states, cities or anything. My dad was told as a young man that his grandma pinie was full blooded cherokee indian. I do have pictures of her and my great great grandpa and you can tell they are definitely indians. But I can not find where her father was buried or any information about his parents. That is my brick wall. Please help !!

  • George Russell Carnes

    January 10, 2018

    All I was told years ago was that i was adopted. I no nothing of my birth parents, or of any family I may have. I was born, I believe, in Brockton Ma., on or about May 10th 1948. Anything that I can find out about my past will be greatly appreciated. I’ve been in the dark about this now for over fifty years.

  • Freda Kirby

    January 10, 2018

    I have a lot of info. on my ancestor: William A davis and wife Martha (Patsy) mayo Davis. They were from Albemarle /Fluvannaa county Virginia. Moved to Augusta County around !850. I really want to find William’s parents and graves of William and martha.

  • Cindy Martin

    January 10, 2018

    I have two mysteries.
    (1) Where did our first ancestor in America, John Swan, come from? There is more than one John Swan and ours has no less than 3 sets of parents people claim are his, but nothing concrete. Swann DNA project may have insight into this. I’ve checked all the ship records and there is no sign of him, tho’ he may have been a servant to a Thomas Biddlestone. John was born in 1620 and we first see him in Cambridge town records in about 1640. I’m dying to know where he came from.
    (2) My ancestor Samuel Dunbar Searl(e) was born in Stoughton MA, but was last known in Alsburgh VT in 1801 or so. He disappeared but I believe I found him again in Canada where he died in 1808. I’m interested to know about his wife, or wives. He and his wife Sarah Withington had 2 children after their marriage in 1781. It was difficult to find them (John and Elary). This family appears in the Royalton, VT census about 1790 Then there is a time gap and he has no children again until about 1794 or so. By this time he is living in Alsburgh, VT. He has a son (later adopted in 1809 in Canada) named Andre’. He also has 5 other children (also all adopted in Canada in 1808 after Samuel’s death). . The mother is called Sally Willington in all the adoption papers. Is that the same person as Sarah Withington, but it was not understood by the French speakers of Ontario? Or, since there was an unusual gap in children, did Samuel’s first wife die? When and where? How did Andre’ die and why was he adopted out at a different time than the other children? BTW, Samuel is the eldest son of the preacher Rev. John Searl. I would love to know more about Samuel and his family, and to make sure he is the same Samuel in Canada. Why did he leave the US? And why did his children not know they were born there? (Two sons eventually moved to Illinois and the censuses contains their birth information). Some scandal? It’s been a fun mystery, but I’m really stymied by my lack of knowledge about Samuel’s wife and children. I’d love some help! Thanks.

  • Edith

    January 10, 2018

    When my Mother passed awayin 1982 I found out I had a sister that was born at her Mothers home and the Doctor who deliverd her kept the child. This was way back in the 1940s in New London, Ct. I have his name and address but will never know who and where she is. I wish someone could help us find her…Blessings

  • Sharon Thurston

    January 11, 2018

    My father was born in Hartney Manitoba to an unmarried Austrian woman who had come to Canada before WW1 and never returned to Europe. His father she knew as Bill and he was a British surveyor for the railroad. I have done DNA testing but so far have not been able to locate anyone who might know who Bill was. He left the area before my grandmother knew she was pregnant. My father was born in September 1915 so his father would have been in MB surveying in late 1914 and early 1915. Through DNA test I did locate a man who was a descendent from the same area of Austria (Poland) that my grandmother had originated although we could not pinpoint exact relative.

  • Carlyn

    January 11, 2018

    My grandmother was Mennonite and lived in the Russian Empire…..Ukraine. The Falk family lived in Steinfeld, Moloschna Colony. As the end of WW1 approached, the Red Army, The White Army and the Communist Army swept through the Mennonite Colonies in Southern Russia and demanded with menaces and murder the foods preserved by the hard working Mennonite families. During this time, it is believed that my grandmother’s brother, Benjamin Wilhelm Falk was captured by the Communists and either was conscripted into their army or was sent to the gulaks in Siberia. My Grandmother’s family never heard from him again. He was a sturdy Mennonite boy of about 16 years. I have searched the records I can find. It would be really nice if you could solve this mystery and so, we could get to know his descendants, if any. Thankyou very much.

  • Patricia Sibley Moed

    January 11, 2018

    Here is my mystery:

    When I was young my mother gave me several horse brasses. She mentioned that she had a great-uncle on her mother’s side that was part of Queen Victoria’s Horse Guard. (One of the horse brasses commemorates Queen Victoria’s Jubilee.) The mystery I cannot solve is who was that “great-uncle.” After having created a MyHeritage family tree, I can find no mention or record of any family member who could have been a Horse Guard.

    In my youth, I remember my mother telling me the name of the great-uncle, but I cannot remember the name. My mother now has Alzheimer’s and so asking her is not an option anymore. While creating my family tree I realized that my mother’s recollection family names and details was nowhere near accurate. My mother grew up in London during World War II; her father died when she was 6 and her mother died when she was 11. I now see how her childhood memories of names and places are often confused and so this is the confusion I am starting with.

    I have always been interested in family history and it was these horse brasses that inspired me to research the family tree. Having done that, I am no closer to solving the mystery of the “great-uncle” who was a Horse Guard.

  • Peggy Strong (Penrose)

    January 11, 2018

    Would love to have help tying my English family to my Irish family. My DNA is 38 percent Irish, I had no idea,as I Have traced my English side to 1562 . But don’t know how to connect .I have 3 generations of miners,from Cornwall,Australia,and to the states,also my husband and son .Help with the Irish. Please

  • Elizabeth Ordaz

    January 11, 2018

    My father is getting up in his years. I would love to find his biological father whom he never knew. No true information was ever given to my dad about him. He didn’t even know his real birth place until his 40’s when my mother and him wanted to marry in church. We found his baptism certificate in United States and he had been told he was born in Baja Mexico. He was adopted by a wonderful man who loved him and us dearly but we don’t really resemble his family and it’s continued to be a mystery who this man was. I’d love to have answers for my father while I still have him alive. Thank you.

  • giulio marchisio

    January 11, 2018

    Hit a brick wall tracing myself and my dad in ITALY

  • giulio marchisio

    January 11, 2018

    Hit a brick wall tracing myself and my dad in ITALY 1904 TILL 1981. DID A DNA BUT NOW REALALIZED BECAUSE I WAS ADOPTED MY DNA WOULD NOT MATCH THE MARCHISIO’S.

  • Julie Gill

    January 11, 2018

    We cannot seem to find any information on a several times great grandfather by the name of James Donnella. He was born in 1785 and died in 1860, as far as we can tell. We’ve been unable to find out who his parents were, although one genealogy site suggested that his birth name may have been Donnally. He was married to Eliza (or Elizabeth M.) Cosby (1809 – 1882) in 1823 in Louisa, Virginia. He was evidently in trouble with the law on more than one occasion and some family members are wondering if perhaps he changed his surname from Donnally to Donnella in an attempt to avoid some of his legal entanglements.
    We would be most grateful for any help you could give toward solving this family mystery.
    Thank you.

  • Patricia McKinley

    January 11, 2018

    I’ve hit a dead end researching my Maternal grandfathers family. The surname is Busenburg so the assumption is that I am German. I trace my great grandfather who was an only child of a first wife. In the census when he was 3 he was living with his Mothers Sister and her husband. I believe that his Mother died at child birth.(Can’t find a death record) So then the search goes cold. I really want to trace the family line to the Mother land. I recently did a DNA test and came out 78% Great British, 15% Irish, 4% Scandinavian, 1% Greek/Italian, <1% Western European. Could the Busenburgs be from somewhere other then Germany? I just can't figure it out and would like help tracing this line to the boat and country of origin. Thanks, Patricia McKinley

  • Cheryl McManus

    January 11, 2018

    My mystery is my 3rd great grand mother and who are her parents. Augusta Roberts married John Biddulph of Ledbury in Herefordshire in England. John is the grandfather of the 1st Baron Biddulph. John and Augusta married 9 Sept 1797 Ledbury, England. the 1841 English census states she is 60 years old and was b. in St Martin in the Fields. Other sites have her parents as Longs. Which I don’t understand. John and Augusta’s daughter Augusta Eleanor Biddulph married a cousin Edmund John Jones, His mother is the sister of Augusta. Sarah Roberts, who married Philip Jones. Sarah was born 1781, Eaton Bishop, Hereford.The only information I have of Augusta, was that she brought a large fortune into the family and John bidduph started a Bank in London with it. Biddulph and Cox. I am only surmising on that. Most of John and Augusta’a children were born in Camberwell, Surrey.

  • Ron Birlew

    January 11, 2018

    I have been able to trace my ancestory only to 1810 with the birth of John Birlew. There are no records prior to that date with that surname which suggest that the name “Birlew” was something different prior to his birth. Without knowing the actual original name, I am unable to find his father and continue my search. I’m at a lost on how to proceed further.

  • Norma Schlehuber Snell

    January 11, 2018

    Our Great grandfather, was from Germany. The family story was he was going to become Priest, but had moved and meant our Great grandmother. Married her, we have when and where they were when the married and a brother who stood up with them. they were married first at city hall. then later in her church. Just something we have heard, and would like to know more. They came to America in 1837, and came thru New York City.

  • Constance Stewart Etter

    January 11, 2018

    My birth father is a mystery to me, he was a staff soldier at the German POW camp in Leland, MS and I was conceived in the summer of 1945. He returned home before my mother knew she was pregnant. MS sealed all records, but I am in possession of my original birth certificate. I believe the first name is incorrect, and probably his age,but I am at my wits’ end to know where to find the information of who was on the roster of Camp Leland (Camp Shelby was the hub camp). My half-sister and I are also at a brick wall in our maternal line at my grt grt grandfather who was born in Phila or Chester PA in 1800. Some records say 1805. She is 80 and I am almost 72, and we really would love to fill in that gap before we both pass!

  • Sharon Byers Conner

    January 11, 2018

    Help me locate my 4X Great-Grandmother Trin’s husband, if she had one! We know that she was born about 1823 in South Carolina, probably in Cherokee County or in Union County. She died September 26, 1899, and is buried in Grassy Pond Baptist Church’s Cemetery in Gaffney, SC. She had one son, James “Jim” Edward Burgess, (born Feb. 19, 1844, died Aug. 15, 1917), and a second son, Lemuel Burgess (1847- ?). We have wondered who Jim’s and Lem’s father(s) may have been!!! This is a brick wall and I would truly appreciate knowing the truth about my 4X Great-Grandmother’s partner!

  • Sheila (Sullivan) Knapp

    January 11, 2018

    I would like to find out about my father’s side of the family. From what I’ve been told, William Joseph Sullivan was born on February 2, 1930 in Yonkers, New York to Irish immigrants. He is said to have had an older sister.
    The age difference between him and my mother was significant in 1965-he was 35, my mother was 23. They were married in Canon City, Colorado in 1965. He worked in Data Processing in Denver, CO from 65-74 and then became an OTR truck driver. The last thing I received from him was an Easter card in 1974, and the last thing I heard about him was a letter from a nurse advising me about a predisposition to cardiovascular disease.
    I have tried to find the paternal side of my tree for years and have come to a brick wall at every turn. I’m beginning to think that he was in the Witness Protection Program.

  • Janice Parker

    January 11, 2018

    There is a family legend that we are related to Captain John Parker – (July 13, 1729 – September 17, 1775) who was an American colonial farmer, mechanic, soldier, and colonial militia officer who commanded the Lexington, Patriot, colonial militia at the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775.The famous quote: “”Stand your ground. Don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war let it begin here.” has been attributed to him. I have not yet done any genealogical research, but some of my relatives are members of the DAR and have records on other Revolutionary relatives dating back to the Revolutionary War. I would love to find out if this legend is true!

  • Dora Gay Anderson

    January 11, 2018

    I have worked 40-50 years to find some proof of my ggrand mother’s parents. Her name is Christian Carline Gillis b. 7 Jul 1831 in North or South Carolina. She lived in Barbour and Pike Counties in Alabama. She married John Cunningham on 2 Feb 1854 in Barbour County, AL. She died 2 Jan 1894 in Clio, Barbour, AL. I have many records of the Gillis’s in that area but I need that connecting link. They had 9 children of whom I have been able to find information.
    I (DGA) have worked extensively on proving who her parents were. There are 3 families I thought, by her birthdate, that they could be her parents living in Barbour Co., Alabama
    (1)Daniel Gillis (1798) md to Christian McLeod (1808-18),
    (2)John Gillis 1804-1884 md to Catherine “Katie” McLeod or
    (3)John Gillis (wife unknown) s/o Hugh Gillis who died in the Indian War in 1835 leaving a wife and 2 young heirs unnamed. The guardianship was given to F.W. Pugh and the mother in 1939 agreed to “support and school” them.
    #1 I found a letter written by Neill Gillis s/o #1 above about his mother in which he talks of her, Catherine McLeod Gillis’s, only living daughter. A daughter, Mary, and our Christian Gillis were both living at that time so I discounted this theory.
    #2 Christian Carline fits nicely into John and Kate Gillis family #2 above but the first listing of the family with their children was in 1850 and she was not listed with the family in 1850. On the 1850 Census she is listed in the household of Roderick McSwain and his wife Mary. Why I have not yet discovered (2013) but she was married to John Cunningham in 1854 in the home of Roderick McSwain and she named her 1st son, my grandfather, Roderick McSwain Cunningham so there is most likely some close relationship. These two families are buried close to each other in the Louisville Alabama cemetery. So for now 8-20-2013 I am claiming John Gillis and Christian McLeod as her parents until such time as I can prove otherwise.
    #3 I found on the original guardianship paper where it talks about John Gillis’s orphan children. After examination I think the name is Tillis not Gillis so that discounts theory #3 above.
    I would appreciate so much if anyone could help me find that connecting link I need to move forward with this family tree.

  • Billy Pearl

    January 11, 2018

    Looking for my GG father Alexander Pearl who was last found in Makanda, IL in 1882 with his wife Caroline, Née Elkins. I can’foind further information on either of them earlier than the 1882 Dante.

  • Diana Cranston

    January 11, 2018

    My great grandma, Gladys may wing -McDonald , disappeared for 30 yrs..she died 1997 but her body suspiciously disappeared? I was wondering where she was all the yrs she was missing and where is her body buried?

  • DOUGLAS DRYSDALE

    January 11, 2018

    My father was born in Scotland and then migrated to Australia. He left behind 3 children after a marriage breakup. I have been trying to find my brother and sisters, but with no success. Please help.

  • Donald Tait

    January 11, 2018

    My Grandfather, George TAIT, was born on 18/11/1862 in Penicuik, Scotland.
    He migrated to Australia later on in life.
    The 1881 Scotland Census have him living in Edinburgh. In the 1891 Scotland Census there is no record of George.
    He died on 24/05/1940 at Casino, NSW. His death certificate has a note: “56 years in Australia”, which indicates that he arrived c1884.
    We have been unable to find how he traveled from Scotland to Australia (we believe to Sydney).

  • Patricia Thormahlen

    January 11, 2018

    My great grandfather name was Edward Lewis Garvin ( Pease) his service papers says he had a alis Pease we don’t know why his name was changed it was found that he saw some men cut the teletype lines and we don’t know if his name was changed for his safety I have found family members that looks like his family under both names Are family would be so happy to find out why and it shows in census that his parents came from Ireland but if I follow the Lewis Pease line it goes back for many generations.

  • Steve Birdwell

    January 11, 2018

    My 3-great grandfather Johnson Ledford was born in North Carolina in 1818. There are many Ledfords before and after in the family tree, but he is missing, with no connection or parents known. Since all of the Ledford males in his area in the 1820 census are not his father I suspect he may be illegitimate. The bastardy files that are available don’t show him, so we are stuck.

  • David Thomas

    January 11, 2018

    My Wife’s grandparents on her Mother’s side held property in village named Rosen in what was German Upper Silesia. The family oral history is that the land was given to the family by Count Oppersdorff. We are seeking to find a record of this land grant.

  • connie stahlman

    January 11, 2018

    Nothing exciting- Just hoping to find my father. I did find my biological mother some years back-but she was dead by then-at age 46. Now hoping to locate birth father, though I know he must be dead by now too. (I a 77 year old now).

  • Neil Gold

    January 11, 2018

    I found a long lost relative Norman Thomas Gold who married a Pearl Sybil (Tui) McMahon Auckland New Zealand.
    I would like to contact either member of the McMAHON family or any off spring of Norman Thomas Gold and Tui.
    I will be visiting New Zealand in February and would like to make contact but do not have an address or phone number.Any help would be appreciated.Norman and Tui are both deceased.

  • Patsy Johnson

    January 11, 2018

    My second great grandfather is a mystery because he might have married 2 different women within the same year (1863-64), eloped to the USA with one woman from Norway before emigration records for Trondheim, entered Wisconsin with no port of entry record, fathered an illegitimate child in Wisconsin, homesteaded in both Wisconsin and South Dakota leaving his wife and 5 children in South Dakota in order to go to the Klondike for the gold rush. Was he really this much of a skallywag?

  • Diane Wallhofer Davis

    January 11, 2018

    I am longing to know the mysterious biological Father of my paternal Grandfather, Theodore John Wallhofer, that died when my Dad was only 15 so I never knew him. My Great Grandmother, Mary Helmus Wallhofer, from the City of Coesfeld area of Germany was an unwed mother at an early age. She married Otto Albert Wallhofer and moved to the US, had another son, Charles Wallhofer, that was younger than my Dad, her Grandson, Theodore Helmus Wallhofer. She would visit Germany every year and take a family member with her. I was only 8 years old in 1967 when she took me. One thing those who accompanied her remembered was her taking us to a ‘Castle’ where she would visit a good hour while we waited outside in a garden/courtyard. I am now the only survivor I know of that made that journey. I know I have Cousins/Family in Coesfeld but I’ve no contact or even know their names. I do remember one young Cousin with the name of Trude. My husband, kids and I just this year took your DNA test and to my surprise I found that I’m nearly 1/4 Italian. Quite a surprise when I’d always been told we’re all German on both sides. I sure was hoping to have a connection with someone that would open a door to my true biological beginnings. I’m afraid she took her secret to the grave.

  • Patricia Powell

    January 11, 2018

    My mother Florence Harris was supposedly born in June1913 in Aston Birmingham England no birth certificate can be found and am assuming she was probably born out of wedlock although her fathers name is Frederick Harris which is on her marriage certificate being deceased at the time of her wedding.
    Any help on this line would be appreciated as I have nothing for this part of my tree. She died 17th September 1978 in Birmingham

  • Mary Cipolla

    January 11, 2018

    I am up against the brick wall in trying to find info about my 4X great grandparents, James P Snow and Hannah Arrant Snow married sometime in 1790’s. James supposedly died in War of 1812 (1-27-1814) and Hannah does not show up on any tax roles. Hannah was daughter of Conrad Are any and may have grown up in South Carolina. James’s genealogy unknown.

  • John Pollard (mum nee Johnson)

    January 11, 2018

    When I told my mum I would try to find news of her ancestry she said “Good Luck” as she had hired genealogists previously that had came up with nothing. She did say I would find a family secret but after 5 years of research, I don’t know which of the dozen secrets I found so far was she referring to.
    I found her father who left when she was 3 (he was registered incorrectly on DBM), then his father Mr Ivy Beattie Gestie Johnson 1851-1917. But there then it got difficult. With the help of My Heritage, Trove and NSW BDM, and some lucky breaks, a few years later I found my gr-gr-gn-father Dr Thomas Revel Johnson MRCS London 1819-1863 (and Surgeon General of NSW in 1850), and eventually his father Thomas Revel Guest Esq 1870-1837, his will sourced from Wales and a diary of Lady Catherine [Bertie] who claimed to have had TRJ and his sister Sahar “shipped off to Australia [in 1840]”.
    We are keen to find 1) the birth or baptism records of our Ivy Beattie Gestie Johnson born in Enmore, NSW in ~1861, 2) any details of TRJ’s birth and his mother in Cork, Ireland in 1819, 3) any details of his sister Sarah Guest/Johnson mentioned in the will and diary, 4) how Ivy Beattie Gestie Johnson’s name was derived from TRJ’s presumed namesake and first cousin, Sir Ivor Bertie Guest 1835-1914 (1st Baron Wimborne), and 4) according to SMH newspaper 29/8/1863, Dr TRJ left 8 orphaned children though we cannot only 6. Who are the other 2?. Many documents leading related to this are available. Thanks for any help.

  • Debra Klohs DeZarn

    January 11, 2018

    My brick wall has existed throughout my lifetime. My paternal grandfather died before I was born and none of his children knew anything about him except his birthdate and that he came to the US from “Austria” in 1904. He told everyone he was an orphan and ran away from the orphanage when he was 12. His name was Ladislaus Klohs. I still have older cousins who had a relationship with him but he would never tell anyone more than the above. How can I go further back in his line?

  • Jen Olliver

    January 11, 2018

    I am trying to find my great great grandmother and her daughter… Their graves are in New Zealand, the story is that they came out from Denmark. I would love to be able to trace their family and where they came from. We havent even been able to find the ship that they came to Nz in.
    Thanks for the chance to get some help!

  • Pam Hicks

    January 11, 2018

    Cricket is a very popular International sport, particularly in Australia, India and England. Our son is very often mistaken, particularly if he is wearing a cap, for a previous but recent Aussie Captain, Ricky Ponting. We think it is too often to be a co-incidence. In India he has several times been asked for his autograph, at restaurants in Sydney people ask to have their photo taken with him and even recently, an old gentleman on the beach suggested his partner should get his autograph. Even his friends call him “Punter”. When I discovered through My Heritage that I am a direct descendant 7 generations back to an Edward Ponting I immediately felt there must be a connection. Alas, I cannot find any links to Ricky and his Tasmanian family, the consistency checker shows me the mother is younger than the son etc etc, all too confusing and I don’t know how to dig further. It seems like a mammoth task.

  • Ruthann Storr

    January 11, 2018

    I am trying to trace what actually happened to my uncle ELLIS STORR who disappeared Feb 28, 1948 along with the pilot HERBERT L FINK in a piper plane on a fight from Tampa, Fl to Oswego NY, they refueled in Richmond VA and that was the last word on them. several newspapers had an article on the missing plane, but nothing was ever said if the wreckage/ human remains were ever found.. I wrote to the newspapers, FAA(took over Civil Air patrol), Piper Aviation Co in Fl, also FL airport authority, as FINK was an airport Manager in Tampa Area and never got a reply from any of them.. His wife was LOUISE STORR, they were married in 1940 in Fl, he was in the army in WW2 and she worked for the telephone co. their daughter DIANE STORR died at a young age about 1955 or so and was Miss FLorida Junior Heart.
    Also trying to find Info on my great grandmother Annie Rowe born 1860 in Cornwall England, migrated to USA about age 10 with her mother who was also named Annie Rowe. found record of Ann Rowe 9 and Ann Rowe 27 on S S Denmark arr NY 1870. Annie Rowe married John Newton born in Zennor Cornwall 1854 and they had 10 children. 3 born in Michigan(1878,1881,1883), 2 in Pa, and 5 in Golden Colorado. Annie died 1929 and John died 1922 both in Golden Colorado. I can trace him back 12 generations in Cornwall, but nothing on Annie Newton (born Rowe).
    I inherited both the NEWTON & STORR family bibles,but they were both stolen when my parents business office was robbed.
    I would appreciate any information you can find to help me in my search.
    thank you.

  • Keith Hemburrow

    January 11, 2018

    My mystery is that my family do not know where my mother came from. It seems she was adopted by the Beyer family of Melbourne Australia when she was a baby, possibly 1916. The story is that she was born in a foundling home there. We have no knowledge of her heritage. We have no records of birth, only of her death certificate.

  • Lynette Truman

    January 11, 2018

    I have had no real confirmation that I am a relative of King William IV, William of Hanover. He supposedly had a fling with one of his chamber maids, surname Murray, and a son was born. The son eventually came by ship to Australia. Can’t find date or ship. Can you please help me? Thank you.

  • Susie Dempsey Irving

    January 11, 2018

    I Never been able to find out who my dads moms,(Grandma) mom was or her name.. Hunted for this through the years and at a stand still until our next clue..

  • Rosalie Robles

    January 11, 2018

    Mother’s male side: last name was changed to Del Carmen.—Original name possibly Luesa. Can’t find any information.
    A Grandfather was killed on the road by Spanish Soldiers. He was asked who was he loyal too? He stated he was neutral and loyal only to God. After asked again. Soldiers didn’t like his answer and was killed.

    My grandfather is Mateo Barrera Del Carmen, Jr——Wife Mercedes Del Gomez Romero.

    His father Mateo ? Del Carmen, Sr—Wife Higinia Barrera. We have not been able to find anymore information.

  • Colin W Davison

    January 11, 2018

    Biggest mystery to me is ‘who was my father’s father’ – my paternal grandad.
    My father married twice, in 1947 to my Mum, and in 1955 to my step-mother. Both of his marriages were in Glasgow, Scotland. My mum died 6 weeks before my 2nd birthday in 1950, so she was only married to my dad for less than 3 years.
    The 1947 Marriage Certificate shows my dad’s father as being Colin Davison, an Aircraft Fitter, his mother being Nora, maiden surname Owen.
    His 1955 Marriage Certificate does NOT show his father’s name, but does show his mother as Norah, subsequently married to Arnold Owen, a Civil Engineer.
    VERY ODD !!
    My father told me several times that he was born in Gateshead, England, so was a ‘Geordie’. He was also about one year older than my Mum, who was born in Portsoy, Scotland, in December 1928.
    According to ‘family legend’, he was a bastard – meaning his mum was unmarried when he was born. I also know he was ‘fostered’ in his younger years by a family living in a village called Sudbury (?) near Bury St Edmunds, in Suffolk. He took me there in 1959 or so, when I was about 11.
    He also served in the British Army just after WW2. Seemingly as a Rifleman with The Cameronians, according to his 1947 Marriage Certificate. My Mum was a ‘Wren’ (WRNS) based in Glasgow – which is how they met.
    As I have no access to records such as ‘adoption’, ‘foster children’, ‘Wards of the Court’, UK military service, etc, from about 1927 on, I hope that My Heritage will somehow be able to help me ‘track down’ some of my (currently obscure) paternal linkages.

  • Kay Wod

    January 11, 2018

    My Mother and Father had a child before my Brother, Jim, Born 1949 was here. We have 3 older HALF-Brothers – Delbert, Kenneth and Gerald (only one still living). Born and raised in Miami County KS – Louisburg & Paola, this would be someone born 1947-1948. There is an assumption it is a boy. Aunt Peg has a huge family history book but no sign of this sibling.
    Father – Henry Kenneth Prettyman (Died 1989)
    Mother – Ethel Vivian Dellinger Prettyman Kircher (Died 1999)
    Mother was sent to an unwed mothers home in the city because she was between her JR & SR year in High School/

    Of anyone has any info it would be appreciated.
    Kay Wood
    Mesa, AZ 85207
    480-612-7334

  • Victoria Marchesano

    January 11, 2018

    Ever since I took the My Heritage Kit. My entire life has been turned upside down. All these people that match me as cousins I have no CLUE WHO THEY ARE. HELP ME FIND OUT PLEASE!!!!! I HOPE TO WIN THE MYSTERY CONTEST!!!

  • Dorothy Croney

    January 11, 2018

    my mother died 3 months after I was born and my Father gave her presents for me. Although they were not married he was still by her side. However when she died he disappeared from my life and I have never been able to find out anything about him apart from where he worked at the time and that he was known as the Doctor! I have tried many searches over the years and would love to know if I had any family on his side. I cannot afford private searches but would be thrilled if I could win this and have help.

  • Catherine Mackie

    January 11, 2018

    Hi and Help! please I have over the years been on different sites doing my family tree this on i must admit has helped me more in finding different branches of my tree really far back, however when it comes to my grandmother on my mums side i have her parents names from her and my grandfather’s marriage but certificate and a baptism certificate from 1924 but she was born in 1903 her gravestone has one name on it which is on both certificates but after a chat with a family member the name is not what is on these certificates plus the story she told about being born in the middle of the irish sea in a boat was also a tale. I have tried to change the names with no progress and i have even searched into her parents names and changed the spelling any help would be grateful Thank you

  • John Sidebottom

    January 11, 2018

    I had polio and this in my 70th year makes getting out and about to research things very difficult.
    I have managed to get back to the baptism certificate of a John Sidebottom in Wakefield West Yorkshire on 25th December 1820. This oddly records his father as a Sarah Sidebottom!
    Clearly she could be single and his father unknown or she was unwilling to say. I have traced a Sarah Sidebottom who is of the right age and had a Father called John Sidebottom. The tree then seems to go back to the 1600s.
    So I would love to be able prove the 2 trees connected via Sarah but as birth certificate records are not held central lying in the UK I am at a loss where to go from here. Winning your offer seems my only way forward or more accurately “backwards”!
    Warm regards from yet another John Sidebottom
    07788-520-400

  • Graham collins

    January 11, 2018

    Hi My mum died when I was about 5. I remember being looked after by neighbours whilst the funeral took place. I don’t remember much more than that. My dad never talked about it and I would love to find out where she is buried. My dad died in 1989 and I have no relatives that I can ask

  • Liz Bang

    January 11, 2018

    I have searching for Alexander M Graham my grandfather’s family in Scotland and at a brick wall! We have his DOB as possibly 1872 Canbusnethan but no records – his wedding to my grandmother in Devon gives him as being born about then but the father as a Robert and on his entry into the RFA in1895 his father as Alexander. All the details we have seem to be vague, like a relative died on the Titanic – a Graham from Canada went down and a mother and daughter were saved but can’t link us to them. Also a relative died on the Tay bridge disaster – A David Graham went down who was a school teacher from a village called Dalmary which is about 3 miles from Buchanan Castle the seat of the Montrose Grahams – the family story is my grandfather was illegitimate but had governess so came from a family with money. I have checked all sources and in my DNA matches I do get a few to families in Scotland but cannot find anything. Just before he died in 1932, a relative apparently went to him with a cutting from a newspaper and told him it was time to “come clean about his family” apparently it was a relation trying to get in touch – but her told her to go away. He had a birthday card sent in March, when he always celebrated his birthday on St Andrews day – November 30th, it seems easy for him to remember if he wanted to be anon! The card was from Brig.Lord Douglas Malise Graham – Montrose family – again when he was stationed at Farnborough Brig Lord Douglas Graham visited his house and he was out so left a card – when my grandmother presented it he tore it up. Was the middle initial “Malise” of his name?? On his sons birth certificates it has a variety of names such as Maguire, etc

  • Vicki Burkart

    January 11, 2018

    This DNA test proved my “Step-Father” is my biological father. I found my Great Grandfather was born in Austria. My Great Grandmother was born in Ireland. It’s a mystery as to how they got to the U.S. Or anything before that.
    My Mother’s side is vague at best.
    I’ve gotten very little information from her, and that was like pulling teeth.
    Her reaction to my results was to try and make me doubt DNA.
    I didn’t do this to judge anyone in a bad light.
    I knew, I just needed it confirmed.
    This test helped me to not feel so alone in this world. It helped me to feel connected for the first time in my life. It helped explain A LOT of the things I saw and heard growing up.
    But, there are so many unanswered questions, on both sides. Everyone has passed on, except my Mother, and she’s not talking.
    Help!

  • Susan

    January 11, 2018

    Trying to chase roots back to our European ancestors. I have only been able to find my paternal grandfather’s parents in Virginia and can not tell what race or country of origin. Been told French Irish German. But the biggest mystery is my paternal grandmother who died at the age of 46 in 1930 with 20 children – no one seems to know anything about her family…parents? sister/brothers? cousins? Please let me be one to find closure – it seems that the females in the family get lost in the legends.

  • Jim Coles

    January 11, 2018

    I have been up against a brick wall looking for my GGGGrandfather. James Cole born 1813 in Hereford I believe,died in Cardiff in 1856 His wife was Elizabeth &this children were Jacob 1847 born in Hereford in Cardiff 1861 censs , John born 1853& Mary born 1850

  • Susan Waxler

    January 11, 2018

    I know my mother’s father came from Denmark and had a sister and Brother Walter

  • Kim Buckley

    January 11, 2018

    I can’t seem to find any more records of my great-great-great grandparents, his name was George Corry Irvine (1792-1866). Irvinestown, Ireland, My great great grandparents were William Irvine and his wife, maybe Elizabeth (Manks). All from Ireland…. I grew up believing that my family was from Dumfrieshire, Scotland, then learned they had started coming to Canada in 1840… My great great uncle William Irvine was a prominent heart surgeon and even wrote a book… but I am stumped as to when they left Scotland, were they ever even in Scotland as my uncle the surgeon was the head of the Scottish family something or other.I have a document that he was high up in it but no more info…I wold love to learn about the Scottish part of our family and when they went to Ireland..What ship they came to Canada on, etc. Thank you.

  • Wanda Jenkins

    January 11, 2018

    My story is like most my 2nd Great Grandfather was James Anderson Burke (Burkes, Burks, Bourke) I’ve tried many spellings. He was born in Ireland in 1825 to 1830 and came to America in 1840 according to the 1900 Census in Hot Springs Arkansas. He married in Whitfield Georgia Mary Matilda Hyde on 10/4/1853 they had a son on 4/15/1854 named John Willis Burkes my Great Grandfather I can’t locate his parents names, if he was in the Civil War, did he remarry, where and when did he died or where he is buried Nothing I have searched for years and come up with nothing. My dad James Willis Burks 2/18/1928was born in Arkansas and his dad David Bradford Burkes 5/2/1880 in Fulton Georgia.

  • LaRue S. VanZile

    January 11, 2018

    Am I a Descendent of Captain Abraham F. VanZyll? The Dutch colony in the new world can be dated to about 1624. A very readable book about this settlement was recently published under the title The Island at the Center of the World (authored by Russell Shorto, published by Vintage Books). In it he describes the early Dutch settlers as more like refugees who “were ignorant or desperate or poor enough to leave the deeply civilized bosom of Amsterdam.” In 1626 Peter Minuit “bought” the land that would become Manhattan Island for sixty guilders worth of goods. The colony survived as did one of its outlying areas called Fort Orange (now Albany). In 1647 Peter Stuyvesant, who had been the military governor of Curaçao for some years, arrived in New Amsterdam to be the Director-General of the Dutch interests there. His retinue consisted of four ships of soldiers (many of whom departed shortly for the homeland), a bevy of advisors and a wife. Unfortunately, with internal conflict, lack of Dutch support and a growing British navy, the colony was surrendered to England in 1664. Stuyvesant died in 1672. There are records of the colony and there are promises of many more to come but as of now I have found no proximate names to VanZile found for this period. In 1673 war once again broke out between the Dutch and the English. New York was captured by the Dutch fleet and the area renamed New Holland. Eighteen months later the island was returned to the English and the name “New York” was restored. Dutch influence remained only culturally (religious tolerance, cole slaw and calling little sweet cakes “cookies” rather than “biscuits”). What is relevant to our genealogy quest is the one of the commanders of the Dutch fleet that captured New York in 1673 was Captain Abraham F. VanZyll*. Captain VanZyll later was a leader in New Holland and appears in records of the period. “Abraham” is a name found in association with the VanZile name in the 18th century adding some support to the hypothesis that Captain Abraham VanZyll is my earliest ancestor in the New World. Clearly a 17th century naval officer is a more attractive candidate for that title than an ignorant and desperate Old World pauper!

  • FAYE E WEBER

    January 11, 2018

    My Grandfather Emil C Gradert was born and raised in Hamburg Germany. He came over on a ship when he was 14 years old all my himself. He left his Mom, Dad, Step-sister and 3 younger brothers in Hamburg. My Grandfather never heard from anyone except his Step-sister ever again. His Step-sister wrote and told him when his Dad died.

    I went to Hamburg Sept. 2017 but could not find any of the Gradert family. I would appreciate and help finding relatives from Germany.

  • Jane Bell

    January 11, 2018

    Would like to find parents,etc of my gggrandfather Pickett McIntosh. No program I have joined has ever given me the first clue on him ,or one of the grandmother.

  • Jacqueline Hoffman

    January 11, 2018

    I found my grandfather on a passenger list dated 1921 at Ellis Island. He was only 8 yrs old when he arrived from France with his mother and brother. The family is a complete mystery .. I cannot find a thing regarding my pap or his mother beyond that….a brick wall! A few months back I found death certificates for pap’s mother and her husband (step father). According to step father’s certificate he was poisoned! How do I find out who poisoned him!!

  • Phillip Trujillo

    January 11, 2018

    I am having a very hard time finding my ggrandfather on my father’s side of the family any help would be appreciated

  • Janette Ballam

    January 11, 2018

    My grandad was illigitimate and my sister and I have tried for years to trace the story of his birth. He appears in the 1881census as born in Bristol, in the1891 census as born in Ireland, in the 1901 census being born in Penarth but he also changed his surname for about twelve months. In the 1911 census he is stated as born in Penarth again.
    His name was Robert Parsons and he was adopted by Mathew Adams and Mary Ann who lived in Hereford.
    He always retained his name as Parsons but in the 1901 census calls himself Robert Adams.
    It’s a mystery, can you help?

  • Irene D’Amato

    January 11, 2018

    I’m trying to find Martin Mathias White who married Ellen Deale in Anne Arundel County Maryland. Everyone’s tree stops with him. He just sort of appears with no clue to his parents, I’m wondering if he was born out of wedlock to one of the prosperous Whites in that area. (Gideon White, mayor of Annapolis or his son, a physician,) Mathias was literate, a trained cabinet maker and had the funds to launch a coffin business in downtown Washington, D.C. Not an easy venture for a young guy. Phoebe Deale, Ellen’s sister, married Richard Wells in Prince George’s County which is just over the line from North Anne Arundel County where Mathias, Phoebe and Richard lived according to the 1840 census. (Town of Bristol.) Any help appreciated, Thanks

  • Lani Hightower

    January 11, 2018

    My family is searching for the father of our great grandfather named Robert Ross Hodge. He was born 26 Jan 1879 in Clay Co. AL. His mother is Julia Ann or Juliar or Julier. We believe her maiden name was Ross. We have found her and Robert Ross and another child on the 1880 census for Clay Co. AL. Beyond that we have pretty much hit a dead end. None of Robert’s children seemed to know anything about his mother or father. We believe it is possible that Julia was married to a William D. Hodge and had several children with him. The William that we have been looking at may have died in the Civil War, so it would be impossible for him to be the father of Robert Ross Hodge. Any help would be appreciated.

  • Pamela Langone

    January 11, 2018

    Id love my family searched. I know on my grandmas side we are Sturarts and Lars

  • Paul Borkovec

    January 11, 2018

    I just can’t seem to find anything on my great grandfather and my great great grandfather. They both were born in Czech Republic from what I know. I have searched for my great grandfathers immigration records and found nothing. Endless hours of running into one brick wall after another. I’ve even tried spelling the last name different, and still nothing.

  • Thomas Mirick

    January 11, 2018

    I was an adopted child and now wish to try to find lost relatives.

  • Lorraine Webster

    January 11, 2018

    One of my most frustrating brick walls which I have been trying to climb over many years ( 40) is that of my paternal GG grandmother Maria – but was her surname Boddington or Rollason or Wormingham and that’s the mystery as she lived as Mrs Henry Stride and they had several children. The curious thing is that on her children’s birth certs there are two maiden names used for Maria but neither are the one on the only wedding cert to be found! which is Boddington – in 1878 on Rachels,1881 Josephs in 1887 James, 1889 on Mauds and on Charlottes in 1892 she is down as Wormingham but in between on Lucys 1884 and Joseph (2) in 1895 she is Rollason.

    Also the births were registered by both Henry and Maria – Henry registered Rachel, Joseph(1) Lucy and Joseph (2) but Maria registered James Maude and Charlotties – both made their mark.

    The same addresses were used throughout so I don’t think we are talking about more than one family – no birth/baptism entries can be found for Maria – I have looked for marriages from Wormingham to Rollason to Boddington to Stride in all variations but cannot find matches Any help advice or guidance would be so greatfully received!.

  • Shirley Robertson

    January 11, 2018

    I have been told a few times while at Family history shows that I might be related to Sir Bruce Forsyth as a great grandma of his was called Elizabeth Trousdale. My grandma was Catharine Trousdale and the Trousdale’s go back hundreds of years in Yorkshire which is where I think Bruce’s came from as well. I have been reading after his death last year about his life but it mentions Johnson’s and Forsyth’s but not further back. Please help.

  • Randi Rivenbark

    January 11, 2018

    I’ve been working on my family tree for about 8 years. I already knew a lot about my mother’s lineage. What spurred me to start this project was the lack of information about my father’s lineage. His surname, Rivenbark, appears in records in eastern North Carolina in the mid 1700’s, but we have not been able to trace his roots back to Europe. Most people who share this surname believe it is German, but there are no records to prove that. My grandmother once said the name is Dutch. My brother’s Y-DNA test has not solved this mystery. My working theory is that the name was changed from Reifenberg or a variation of it. That name does appear in areas of New York where I have Dutch ancestors, but I don’t have a clue that would show the name changing or the location changing to North Carolina. My father and one brother have already gone to their graves without this mystery being solved and the remaining brother doesn’t have long to live.

  • Melinda Karsnok

    January 11, 2018

    My grandfather, Harold Oswald was an orphan who was adopted in San Francisco, CA. All of his records burned up in the San Francisco earthquake in the early 1900’s. He has since passed away, and I have no way to research him or his family. Also, I can’t find out anything about my grandmother, Louisa (Hansen) Oswald. I believe that her family came from England. I would appreciate any help to track my father’s relatives. Thanks.

  • Jane Brender

    January 11, 2018

    My husband (Melvin George Brender) his father was George M. Brender. George was supposedly born December 1 1899 in Pennsylvania. I have searched for many years and cannot find any trace of him until he came to California in the 1920s. I received his SS application that said his father was George as well and his mother was Barbara nee Fisher. His mother was supposed to have died when he was young. He had and older sister and and a younger brother. WWII. George Sr. did not want to have anything to do with his family so never told my husband much. There is a possibility of them being Jewish. Would very much like to solve this mystery.

  • Lorena Wood

    January 11, 2018

    According to my mother my grandfather, Arthur Henry Horn, was sent to Canada as a remittance man. He eventually settled in Abbotsford BC where there is now a street named after him. There was a falling out of some kind with his siblings and there was never contact again. I would really like to find this part of my family.
    Also, according to my grandfather, we are related to the the famous reformation leader Horne from Belgium and our ancestral home is Braine Le Chateau. There are a number of stories about this and I would love to find out if indeed I have a drop or two of blue blood in me as we are also supposed to be related to Marie Antoinette and Louis the 16th.

  • Roland

    January 11, 2018

    My mom’s father is unknown. I’m not sure if his name on her birth certificate is really him and not another family member.

  • Sonya Ward

    January 11, 2018

    Our great-grandfather’s birth and parents are a mystery to us. Grant Colfax McGee’s earliest memory was growing up in an orphanage in Florida. The earliest record I could find of him is a military census of 1900, where his birth year is 1878. We assume he lied about his age to get into the military. He is said to be born in Warrington, FL (which was a Naval base then), he enlisted in St. Louis (though St. Louis said there is no such address) and said his father was born in Denver, CO, his mother in St. Louis. While his father’s birth place changes in Census between CO, MO and Ireland, his mothers is mainly Missouri. I was told that there was no official organized orphanage in Warrington at the time and the church denies taking in kids. 1890 Census are non-existent, so we have no record of his early life. After being stationed in Boac, Philippine Islands in 1900, he married Frances Thomas in 1908 in Oswego, NY and remained there until his death. His various birth years range from 1882-1884 in following census. In the Oswego 1908 marriage record he is said to be born around 1880 in St. Louis, MO, his father is listed as Charles B. McGee from Ireland and his mother is Rose Forsythe in USA. I may never crack this tough nut and it would be fantastic to get this case solved before my ill mother leaves us. She would be elated to solve this mystery of her grandfather. Thank you for your consideration.

  • John Mackrory

    January 11, 2018

    I am John Mackrory, born February 1947. I have been researching the Mackrory family tree since 1978, as so many people asked me if my surname was of Scottish or Irish dscent because of the unusual spelling! Also my first child was on the way, turned out to be a lovely daughter who we named Hannah, just loved the name, and it turns out it’s a well used Mackrory family first name. It is relatively easy searching for my ancestors, with such an unusual second name, even though before Web searches were possible, it was all about looking through real Parish registers, Bishops Transcripts, Census returns, and using the IGI. I had the joy of looking at vellum registers with Mackrory names in going back to the 1750s. However, my Great Great Grandfather, John Mackrory, born 1800 in either Abbots Bromley, or Barlaston in the county of Staffordshire, just refuses to reveal his parents, and so I cannot absolutely link our branch of the Mackrory family into the main tree. His birth date is fairly accurate as I have found his gravestone in Trentham dated 5th January 1877, aged 77. He had married Esther Holmes on 27th June 1826, in the Parish of Barlaston. They then eventually spent most of their life in Trentham, as John was a Clerk of Works on the Duke of Sutherlands Estate in Trentham. The house is now gone, but the extensive gardens are now open to the public. By a strange quirk of life, my daughter Hannah now lives in Newcastle Under Lyme, with her husband Matthew, and 2 year old son William Elijah. Hannah is very artistic, and has done volunteer gardening work on the former estate gardens, walking the places her three times removed Grandfather worked! I recently joined the MyHeritage family, in the hope I can find the missing link before my time is up! I am on the magic three score years and ten, and already have had a couple of health scares. I have just sent my DNA sample, just in case that may throw light on my conundrum! It would be such a treat to have this mystery solved.

  • Shirley Burdette

    January 11, 2018

    I know very little of my family because I was put in foster home at age 4.. know of my mother and nothing of my father and know little of my brothers and sisters and I think I have 12 family members..Thank you if I win..

  • Marilyn Kay Herman

    January 11, 2018

    I have hit a brick wall in researching my Dolan ancestors from Ireland and would love to win some help.

  • Penny Vanderhyden

    January 11, 2018

    My mystery has been to find out if I have a half brother in New Zealand. My dad was stationed in New Zealand during WWII. He kept a diary for a while while he was there. It was mostly things about the war but he did mention a woman he spent time with. After returning home this woman sent him a photo album, which he kept his whole life, that had pictures of my dad and this woman. The last page in the photo album had 3 separate pictures. One of the woman, Joyce, one of a baby, Terence and the last is of my dad. My mom used to always say that we may have a half brother in New Zealand if the photo album ever was talked about or brought out. My Aunts did tell a story of my dad writing to my grandmother asking for money to buy a women he met a ring. My aunts said my grandmother wrote back to my dad and told him he should not buy a ring. He should just come home and see if he could live without Joyce.

  • sauchsee larkins

    January 11, 2018

    looking for my mother

  • Shawna K. Heath

    January 11, 2018

    For about twenty years I have been searching for the birth place and death place my fourth great grand father Benjamin Heath & fourth great grand mother Hannah Silk. They were married in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England in 1804, and said to be “of” OverNorton. I have not been able to determine for certain where they are from, or where they were buried. I would love to extend this part of my family tree further..

  • Frances Batson

    January 11, 2018

    Family history states my GGGrandfather Andrew Phillips b. Aberdeen, Scotland ca. 1826 m. Mary Frances Storms ca. 1860 in Monroe Co. N.Y. 1860 census shows him married within past year but living with Wm. Newman not his wife. She is living with her parents, listed by maiden name and no notation of marriage. He enlisted in CW Spring of 1861 in N.Y. Was shot off his horse at 1st battle of Bull Run three weeks before birth of only child Lena Agnes on 26 Jul 1861. The 1865 census lists Mary Frances as a widow living with her parents and 3 yr. 10 mo. old Lena. No military records can be found at National Archives or any Military or NY state records except for an Andrew Phillips listed as a deserter 14 Jul 1861 and another enlisting 5 Jul 1861. Neither man fits our info of our Andrew Phillips. Even with extensive searching we cannot resolve this mystery.

  • Rhonda Cook

    January 11, 2018

    I wanna know who I am . And where did my family come from . I want to know and learn about my heritage. It would make me feel whole in life

  • Barry Lockerby

    January 11, 2018

    My grandfather Frank Price was born out of wedlock July 09, 1884 to a Mabel Florence Player and Thomas Price. I cannot find any historical records about these two individuals. Is it possible to trace their background? My grandparents (Frank Price and Harriet Lily Warbey) were married July 01, 1917 at St. Peter’s church in the parish of Hornsey in the county of Middlesex. A witness to their wedding was Mabel Florence Player who signed their marriage certificate.
    Thanks for your assistance.
    Barry

  • Jon Christensen

    January 11, 2018

    MyHeritage has helped to fill in a lot of spaces in my family record.

  • Nancy

    January 11, 2018

    I have a mystery regarding my grandfather William H McKinney. The only information I have found is in the census after he and my grandmother Martha Katherine Estes got married. He gave his birthday as 9-9-1878. My mom said he would never tell where he came from or anything about his family except his father name was supposed to be Robert McKinney and mother was supposed to be Mary Duvah. He gave information on his social security application that he was born in Meade Co. Ky. but I have never been able to verify this. My mother thought he might have got into trouble by hurting his father or step-father. I don’t know if he told this to her or not. All I know is I would love to know about his family.

  • Lois A. Keenan

    January 11, 2018

    My aunt and uncle, Antoni and Antonina (Surdel) Kawalec lived in Sadkowa Gora, Poland, District of Gmina Borowa within Mielec County. He was born 7/16/1905 and she 10/14/1905. After living in France 1928 – 1936, they returned to Poland and Antoni joined the Polish Guerilla Forces of the Polish Peasant Army. He was shot and killed on the last day of the war in Europe. Antonina was taken prisoner by the Nazis and was pregnant with her 4th child. Their oldest son Henryk was also taken to a Labor Camp in Dabrowa Tarnoska. There is a record that states she is a POW – journey through Krakow with her last name listed as “Skawinska” which is her grandparents last name. A record for Henryk shows him Linz.
    I have been trying to find out more about Antoni’s underground partisan service and which camps his wife and son were in. I understand the soldiers in the underground army were identified by code names. A genealogist interviewed a neighbor who knew Antonina in December 2017 and she said Germans moved into the town in the Baorowa area and were afraid of Antoni and that the German troops were looking for him. She also said he was originally from Wadowice Gorne, a village south of Wola Otaleska. I would love to know more of their story as living relatives do not have any information as it was never discussed probably for fear of repercussions.

  • Karen Price

    January 11, 2018

    I am trying to find my great grandfather’s parents. My great grandfather was Anthony Hinkle, born August 15, 1868 in Knox County, Kentucky and died November 2, 1912 in Williamsburg, Whitley County, Kentucky. I cannot find a birth or death certificate. He is in the 1870 Knox County, Kentucky census in the household of Nancy Hinkle as a son but I believe she just raised him. I was told by my family that his mother was Elizabeth “Lizzie” Hinkle and his father was a man with the last name of Hammons and they were not married. His daughters (my grandmother) told this story to their children about their own father and I believe it to be true. I was also told that Anthony’s father died in Barbourville, Kentucky and Anthony went there to try to get some inheritance so I know his father died before 1912 (when Anthony died). I don’t know anything about Elizabeth Hinkle. She may have been related to Nancy Hinkle but I can’t find any proof. Nancy Hinkle had a daughter named Elizabeth Hinkle that was 6 years old in the 1870 census but they have her as 24 years old in the 1880 census. The 1880 census has her still at home and attended school so I believe that is an error on her age. I have also found marriage and death certificate on this Elizabeth Hinkle and she is not old enough to be Anthony’s mother. I would really like help finding my great great grandparents and to finally break through this brick wall!

  • Don V Evangelinlos

    January 11, 2018

    My DNA says I am predominately Scottish, Irish and Welsh. My second DNA says I am English as well. I changed my Name from Thornton to Evangelinos when I was 15 years old, as I did not know where my Birth Father was, and my step-father adopted me. I know my birth Father’s full name is Donald Franklin Thornton and he died in Canby, Oregon a few years ago. I do not, however, know his father’s first name. I believe he was born in Utah. My mother’s name is Aloha Harriet Hovey, and her Farther was Verne Hovey, and her mother was Grace Hovey. I believe Verne died in Montan, and Grace died in Eureka, CA. and Aloha did as well. My Half sister is Sharley Huston, who lives in Oregon.

  • Denise

    January 11, 2018

    I would like to be able to go further back on my paternal side. My gggg grandfather John James Dunnahoo/Donnahue. There is no official death date, or burial place, nor is it certain where he was born. The last name is commonly misspelled which often occurs the farther back you go. I love a good mystery, but his history continues to elude me and my searches. It would be great to get one of the details confirmed, to solve at least one question.

  • Don Forbes George

    January 11, 2018

    searching for my heritage connection to Nathan Hale and Baron Manfred von Richthofen

  • Julie Gennard

    January 11, 2018

    My Great Grandfather’s name was John Gennard, Not a common name especially at the time he was born. His marriage certificate in 1894 says he was born in West Bromwich area around 1861. His Fathers name was James. But despite extensive searching on My heritage site I cannot find a record of his birth in that area or any other, nor is either he or his father James to be found on the 1871 census. Why is this? Without this I cannot find out his mothers name or take my search any further back. Can you help.

  • Lisa edmond

    January 11, 2018

    My great grandad and brother were left at a nz orphanage and we were lead to believe my mum family name was douglas but since dna testing we now know this isn’t a family name so would love to find real family name and family .

  • Barbara J. Straynar

    January 11, 2018

    My father is 93 and to this day has no idea who his father was. I would like to settle my curiosity and surprise him before he passes. What do I need to do to encourage your help? I do know about his maternal side, however, the paternal side is a mystery.

  • Judy (Yager) Killian

    January 11, 2018

    My grandfather Johannas Antone Yaeger (Jaeger) came from Switzerland in 1892. I was told his
    father Johannas Yaeger and wife Katharina Grob were hotel owners but I have never been able to confirm that. They lived in the Canton of Schwyz, maybe in Pfaeffikon. I would love to know more about them.
    Thanks

  • Marie Blitch Conley

    January 11, 2018

    We have extensive family history from word of mouth and some documentation starting in the U.S. from 1773 or 4 forward. But someone traced the name and not necessarily our exact family branch as coming from England. All my life I was told my father’s family was of German descent. I had a DNA analysis done and it showed as 46% West Europe, 25% Ireland, 21% Great Britain, 1% Africa, 1 % Mail, 5% Scandinavia, 2% Iberian Peninsula. My Mother always told me her family was English. On one visit to my birth home, Savannah, GA at the Public Library I found the three brothers names that my history told me were the ones that came over here starting my father’s family in the U.S. and they were on a ship’s record. I cannot find where I wrote that information down. I have searched the web and records where I now live but cannot find that same ship records that I found years ago. Everything that I find where most people put country of origin for my Dad’s family is always Georgia. Georgia is where they settled but there is never a foreign country name. I thought maybe they were referring to the country of Georgia in Europe. My DNA analysis could prove that fact as Georgia in Europe. No one has given a location as their relatives coming from any town in Europe.

    Several cousins of mine and I have worked on this for a number of years, but none of us have been able to find a birth place for those three men’s ancestors. Please consider helping us find the start of our mysterious relatives.

  • Annabelle Dean

    January 11, 2018

    I am so hoping to meet my birth father and find any more half siblings I may have. I was adopted right after my birth in 1950. Only know description of my father. Praying that DNA will find family ties. He was 17 at the time of my birth and in the service. Don’t know what branch.

  • Moneca Hill

    January 11, 2018

    My mom was adopted and I have been trying (with no avail) to locate her birth family.
    Now, she was adopted in 1950 or 1951 in Mobile, AL. There is a lot of mystery behind this adoption and unfortunately no one in the family has been willingly to give her any valuable information.
    My mother is now 67, has lost both of her parents and is finally ready to open this box.
    Here is what I know. My mother was given some information regarding her mother’s name and what she was named at birth; which led to her being able to find her birth certificate.
    According to this birth certificate, my mother was named Linette Houston on April 11, 1950 to Mary Whittner (26 y/o) from Mobile, AL. Mary was married to Sam Easter Houston (49 y/o) who was originally from Covington County, AL.
    My mother was born at Allen Memorial Home in Mobile AL and according to the birth certificate there were two other children before her birth.
    Now, here’s the kicker both Mary and Sam are listed as white but my mother is clearly not. I think Mary had an affair with a black man.
    My mother was adopted and her name was changed. She was given another birth certificate with her new name and her adoptive parents, both of whom are black, were acknowledged as her parents via signature.
    I really need help in trying to do research and gathering information. My mother is getting older and I want to be able to give her the gift of knowing her/our full story. Thank you for reading.

  • Stanley Nicodemus

    January 11, 2018

    My maternal 2nd Great-Grandfather was adopted. His name was Clarke Robert Bamber, but his birth name was Clarke Randolph Chamberlain. I found his parents, Nathan Chamberlain and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Potter. I found a newspaper article about a break-up of the marriage because Lizzie was unhappy living on a farm. According to the newspaper article, they had three children, but they do not name them in the article. I know that when the marriage broke up, the two younger children were adopted out. Clarke’s brother, Horace stayed with his father.

    I can not find any records on who adopted the 3rd child or his/her name. I’m also trying to find out when Nathan & Lizzie were born & died. I do know that Lizzie remarried, but can’t find a record of her death, neither.

    I know that Nathan went back to Iowa, and Lizzie stayed in Nebraska.

  • EUNICE JOHNSTON

    January 11, 2018

    ITS A MYSTERY MY HUSBANDS GRANDFATHER YNGVE EKLUND HE MIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA FROM FINDLAND IN 1912, TO TUMMY BAY , ON THE SHIP ALFRA, MARRIED IN 1917,TO PHOEBE BRADLEY THEY HAD TWO DAUGHTERS ,WHO WHERE FOSTERED OUT AT THE AGE OF 4 & 2 THEIR MOTHER SPENT THE REST OF HER LIFE IN A MENTAL HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE DIED IN 1950. HER CHRILDREN DID NOT KNOW SHE WAS STILL ALIVE. YNGVE WORKED AS A FISHERMAN AND A LABOUR .HE APPLIED FOR AUSTRALIAN NATURALIZATION IN 1914. UNABLE TO FIND WHERE HE DIED OR IF HE WENT BACK TO FINLAND.

  • Barbara Ervin (Campbell)

    January 11, 2018

    My mother, Jeanne Pauline Gillette had a child out of wedlock when she was a teenager in the either 1939 or 1940, in the only Catholic hospital in New York City. After giving birth she was not allowed to hold the baby boy. He was wisked away and she was never allowed to see him again. I have a half brother out there he is in his late 70’s early 80’s and I been searching fo such a long time. I had my DNA done analized ai My Heritage, hoping one day he would also search for his birth mother. It was the one thing that heart her heart before she died. If you can give me any help at all I would so appreciate it. I long to find him and complete my immediate family.
    Thank you for giving people like me a chance to find our family!

  • Susan Fitzmaurice

    January 11, 2018

    My great great grandpaThornley L.Mattson is more than a bit of a mystery. He is said to have been born in 1816 in Ross County, Ohio. He married my great great grandma Mary Jane Howe 19 December 1838 in Ross County Ohio. They were listed in the 1850 census in Ripley with my great grandfather and his sister. My great Grandma had him declared dead on account of his disappearing supposed to fight Indians.

    I suspect, but cannot definitely confirm he is the son of David Mattson and Lucinda White of Ohio. They had a son James who named his son Thornley and he in turn had a son Thornley.

    I cannot confirm the Mattson ancestry. I can find no one else named Thornley not related and think that might be a clue. I have no idea what ethnic heritage we are, as DNA doesn’t seem to include Swede or Finnish markers which Mattson might be.

  • Sherry

    January 11, 2018

    We have an ancestor Elliott Daniels born 1920 in Ohio he married Nancy Jane Stewart in March of 1942. He died in 1863 at Fayette Illinois. but we have not been able to find out who his parents were or if he even had any siblings, we have hit a solid wall & can’t get beyond it. Everyone of us that have searched has hit the same wall.

  • Jeffrey F Campese

    January 11, 2018

    I’ve recently found my birth mother by having my adoption records un-sealed. She never recorded my birth father’s name and I would like to know who he was. I also have a sister that is 5 years older than me. She never connected with, other than a phone call. with my birth mother. Years ago she was alerted to our mothers death and did not attend. I’m hoping that you guys can help me with my search. Thanks in advance.
    Jeffrey F Campese.

  • margaret dwyer

    January 12, 2018

    My 3rd great-grandparents who came from Ireland to Minnesota Have been working for over 4 years on both of them but can get nowhere at all.Its like they disappeared upon their arrival and the trip to Minnesota, I went thru all the births in Ireland and have 4 children who could be my relatives.. but which ones ???????

  • Dinah Smith

    January 12, 2018

    I have found info on my father’s side after a long search. But I hit a wall with my mother’s side. I have family stories about how my great grandmother, America ran a boarding house in late 1800’s. I know that they were Scot Irish. And our dna proves that. They said grandma’s father was a gun for hire and passed through. Great grandma hid grandma under a basket so her father wouldn’t know about her. There are thoughts that great grandma ran a house of ill repute. I have photos of her with different men that were supposed to be her husbands. I also found out thanks to dna research help that my grandma’s grandma, also named America died at 105 in a small home for the elderly not far from where my mom lived as a girl. And grandma never mentioned that she was alive to mom and never took her to see her. It is all very strange and I wonder if it is true that grandma grew up in a brothel. I do have a little info on my mom’s dad. I met him once. I found proof that he is definitely related. I only met him once and I did some research. He was from Galveston area and left home when he was around twelve and came to Oklahoma. But that is all the info I have on any of Mom’s relatives. Grandma was a very independent and strong woman who was born in Trinidad, Colorado in 1897 and came across the prairie to Oklahoma in a covered wagon. She was married multiple times and worked all her life. She was a riveter during WW II. But, I would like to know more about her heritage and background.

  • Debi

    January 12, 2018

    My late uncle did a lot of genealogy and traced our family from Maine to Nova Scotia and to Scotland. He had located the area in Scotland that our family came from and there is a park named after our ancestors. So my husband and I started planning a trip to Scotland and Ireland, along with some friends. We decided that we would each do our DNA to find out how much we had in us. I always figured that I would have at least 1/2 and have what ever my mother was such as Irish and English. My paternal cousin also had her DNA done and she showed mostly Scottish along with her father’s side which was Swedish. My DNA came back with mostly Italian. No Scottish blood in me! Therefore my cousin is not really my cousin. My mother has dementia and she is taking this secret to the grave. I am trying to figure out what to do with the thistle tattoo I have as I don’t think I will ever know who my real father was.

  • Roger Quarton

    January 12, 2018

    My “Brick Wall” in my genealogical search concerns my mom’s side of the family. According to stories passed down by my family, my great-grandpa Rees was born April 9, 1865. His mother died giving birth to him, so they searched, and found a woman who could nurse him, to keep him alive. They found an African-American woman who had had a baby about the same time, and he lived. The day he was born is also the day that Robert E. Lee, Commander of the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered to the Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and the Union Army/Army of the Potomac, at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia. My great-grandfather, Walter David Rees’s father was said to have been a Confederate soldier, who served under Lee, and fought in the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse. First of all, the name Rees (probably Welsh in origin) is something like “Smith”, being a very common surname. I have hit the proverbial “Wall” for that reason, but also, because many records were burned in fires, especially the Confederate military records, including any mention of my great-great grandfather. Walter Rees, left his home in the Raleigh, Virginia, area, on the south side of the city, when he was grown, moving to Macoupin county, Illinois, where he and his wife raised my grandpa, Edmond Hendley. I have found a possible name of Water Rees’s father and mother, but I am not certain if those are correct, or not: Joseph Rees, and his wife, Martha (born Ross) Rees. There was a half-sister, who supposedly married and moved to Ohio, but I have no knowledge of what her married name was, or where they lived in Ohio. I would appreciate getting some help to push past the barrier I’ve found being the American Civil War!

  • Milica Friscic

    January 12, 2018

    I have started my family tree and am very excited about researching my heritage.
    Having said that, my brick wall doesn’t involve me or my family……..don’t get me wrong, I have hit many brick walls and could desperately use your help…….BUT, It involves a friend of mine. He was born in Sarajevo Bosnia, in 1966 Immediately after birth he was given to the orphanage in Sarajevo. After many attempts at finding his birth parents he was told by the orphanage that the records are sealed. I would love to be able to see him find his birth parents. HOW GREAT WOULD IT BE IF HE HAD BLOOD RELATIVES SOMEWHERE,!! I would love to find his HERITAGE on MY HERITAGE! Please help me surprise my friend. Sincerely thankful

  • Lynda Brincefield McKinney

    January 12, 2018

    I am 72 years old and the youngest of 6 children. My parents are deceased. All my life I have wanted to know about my dad’s people. My dad’s dad left him when he was born. He was in prison for fraud. My dad never knew his dad. I have tried to find out what became of my dad’s dad but can’t find what became of him. Have not been able to find death record or any info about him. We know nothing about his family. I would like to know if my dad’s dad had another family somewhere.

  • Reggie D. Millette

    January 12, 2018

    I am looking to find information on Jacob Greff and Isabelle Greff,

    In a marriage act, it is written this: ‘Marriage of Jean Greffe and Amable Martin
    On the twenty-sixth of April, 1790, after the publication of three marriage banners made in prone parish Masses by the three consecutive Sundays between Jean Greff son of Jacob Greff and Isabelle Greff father and mother of the City of Philadelphia (capital of Pennsylvania). on the one hand, and Amable Martin daughter of the late Martin de St-Jean and Isabelle…

    I find nothing on Jacob Greff and Isabelle Greff father and mother of the City of Philadelphia (capital of Pennsylvania).

    I know he was burried in Canada.

    If you can help, it will be very useful to continue.

    Reggie D. Millette

  • Anna Hasker

    January 12, 2018

    I’ve just shared my dna profile with MyHeritage and should have the results very soon. Now that I am in my 40’s I recognize the importance of knowing one’s family history. When I was younger it didn’t occur to me as important to know. Sadly, most of the matriarch’s and patriarch’s on both sides of my family have since passed and so has their knowledge. I wish I knew more and I want to keep any memories that come to me now alive for my Grandaughters to know when they are old enough to ask. I would appreciate any help MyHeritage could give me with making those memories a reality.

  • Mary Ingram-Chittick

    January 12, 2018

    My father was adopted from an orphanage in Sioux City Iowa. We have no records that are available. I have tried to do research to find the name of the orphanage, but have found nothing. My father was born September 8th 1915. He was adopted by John T Knosby and Ellen Knosby. He was named Robert Eugene Knosby. They lived in Perry Iowa. Through my Heritage I have been able to find information on my grandfather, but not my father’s blood parents. I would like to know more about them for multiple reasons. Among them are medical reasons.

    From my deceased grandmother, we heard rumors that my father’s parents married each other after they gave my father up for adoption. If this is true he would have had siblings. Any information you can find would be greatly appreciated.

  • Merle Withington

    January 12, 2018

    To have your help to solve my family mystery would be a great help. I think this is a great idea I have been trying to trace my Husbands Father’s family tree with no confirming results for a long time. I think he was an illegitimate child born 1901. Your idea to help people like me who have hit a brick wall will be a life changing event.

    Thanking you so much for all the good work the My Heritage team is doing .

    Kind regards

    Merle

  • ROGER

    January 12, 2018

    I would love to know about my background I know that on my mother’s side I am related to John Adams but no one in the family can find anything about the Prock side of the family and would surely like to know.

  • Dianne Brown

    January 12, 2018

    I have tried to track down my mothers family history for decades now…what I do know is that my mother was born in Frankfort, Germany about 1929 to my grandmother and father. Grandmother was born in what was thought to be Poland at the time while my grandfather was apparently born in France and were in Germany at the time that the war broke out. My mom to her was young girl who married my father who was born in New York to an English family who returned back to England whilst my father must have returned to the US and enlisted into the military. He traveled aromy younger brotherund the world writing historical books for the government with the name of David Olsen. But my mom became a US citizen and never returned to Germany until we moved to Norway in 1965, but only to visit her one remaining
    sister who had never left. They had lost their oldest sister in a bombing raid and many homes to the both the German and US military. I have no idea what my mothers maiden name was but my grandfather’s last name was Frentz. No idea to where my grandmother is truly from or what are in France my grandfather came from or if their heritage is Polish and French. Where did I come from? I was also born in England as well as my younger brother…in Cambridgeshire. It would be fantastic to know the real history of our family to pass on to our children and grandchildren so they will not lose our roots completely. Thank you.

  • Carolyn (CJ) Cornelius

    January 12, 2018

    Like many Boomers my parents met while in the service. Daddy had spent most of the war in the Pacific, he was rated as a metal smith assigned as part of Acorn Red (2).
    He rarely talked about the war, until he died he occasionally had nightmares. Finally, some papers are being declassified. I would like to know about
    daddy’s experiences. I know they were provisioned by the Australians as Lamb or Mutton was not allowed in our home. And, he had Purple Hearts but the DoD says not when I wrote for a duplicate of his medals after his death. Again, I think he was treated by the Australians.
    But if you accept this challenge you will find the truth.

  • Jane A Thompson

    January 12, 2018

    I just found out I was related to Benjamin Thompson and Sarah Thompson from Massachusetts. I have always wondered about my dads side of the family and would love to find out more. My dad is 82 and he found it so interesting to learn this. I’m planning a trip this summer to go to Massachusetts to find out more and start doing some research from the library.

  • Linda Suzanne Moyle

    January 12, 2018

    There is a great deal of mystery and family conjecture surrounding my Maternal Grandpa John “Jack” Boswell. There are many and varied stories and theories about his origins, even where and when he was born. The family story is that he was born in 1888 in the Bendigo (Victoria, Australia) Goldfields although no one has any documented evidence of that. There was a Military Service Record that had his birth down as April 30, 1988. He died in 1969. His Family Timeline just doesn’t add up and I was told that there is a Birth Certificate, an Adoption, along with other information, but it is “Red Sealed” and cannot be accessed, even now. He had one sibling Peter Boswell that was referred to as a half brother, which just adds to the intrigue. There was a vague story of a man called Herman Ruhg (?) being his father. I have located a My Heritage Family Tree managed by Mr Reinhard Weule that has My Grandpa listed. I have sent a request to Mr Weule asking to join his site and I have emailed him with a request for information. Unfortunately I have heard nothing as yet. The timeline for my Grandpa’s father John Boswell Snr. and his mother Margaret Boswell (born Douglas) is a little sketchy, not quite adding up. I was very fond of my quiet, gentle Grandpa Jack and have always been intrigued by him. I would love to obtain some truth about him and understand him better.

  • Sue

    January 12, 2018

    I have been trying to discover the father of my late father. He was fostered out at a very early age, and lost contact with his mother. I managed to find his mother, unfortunately, 6 months after she had passed away. After contacting her family, for some possible information on her life, I discovered, that they did not know she ever had a child,nor who the father would be. I have done my DNA test, and had my brother ‘yDNA’ tested, to try and work through the maze of information, however, am struggling with understanding of all the information, and different sites, etc. A ‘helper’ would be awesome!

  • Teresa Bryant

    January 12, 2018

    The Mystery of the Houdini, Great Grandfather the appearance and disappearance of my maternal great grandfather.
    James Iven Carter born about April 1851 supposedly in Indiana, no idea who his parents are or where he really came from. Census records have not helped as birthplace of parents is listed as don’t know. He married Mary Elizabeth Ellis on 25 July 1876 in Grand River, Daviess, Missouri, Mary was born 17 Mar 1858 in Saint Joseph, Missouri and died 25 Mar 1933 in Salina, Kansas. During the marriage they had 5 or 6 children. The family moved about in Missouri last census 1880 and then to Kansas, last known residence of James Iven Carter was in 1900 Census Salina, Saline, Kansas, listed as J. I. Carter. James Iven Carter was referred to by the family as Iven Carter but some records have him listed as Evan, James Iven, James Ivan, John Iven, John C. and John J. Carter. His son James Larkin Carter born 10 Sep 1890, Lyons, Kansas died 4 Sep 1958, is my maternal grandfather, and I still miss him, he died when I was 4 1/2 and I can still see him sitting in the chair me on his lap, my little hand in his very large hand, looking up and saying speak more German to me Grandpa, there was something about his voice that just mesmerized me and I always felt so loved. Grandpa learned the German language during WWI and fought in the battle of the Argonne Forest in Germany. The family story is that James Iven Carter left his family when James Larkin Carter was about 10 or 11 which would be about 1903-1904 and was never heard from again. I have been asking questions about the family since I was 5 and researching the family since I was a teenager, no one else in the family was even remotely interested but after many many years I finally got some cousins interested and they have researched as well and it always comes to a dead end after 1900 James Iven Carter just disappears. There was even a rumor that he might have been hanged as a horse thief some where in Kansas but no proof of that has been found. I am now in my 60’s and disabled and very much want to know more about the Carter family and it’s origins. There are no surviving pictures of James Ivan Carter, no family stories or family bibles, although I did track down one of his daughters grandchildren and great grandchildren but they have no information about him either. Any help you might give to solve this very old mystery would be so greatly appreciated.

  • Larry Brach

    January 12, 2018

    My family tree is really complete except for information about my paternal great grandfather Fred or Fritz Brach (birth Oct 1849). He and his wife their son Otto (born April 4, 1881 and daughter Alma (born August 1888) emigrated from Germany August 14, 1891 abroad the ship Polynesia from Stettin Germany., landing in New York, NY. Additional information is that he listed his birth place as from Bohemia. He abandoned his wife (Wilhemina “Minnie” Brach (born September 2, 1860 a maiden name was Urkwitz? Uerchvitz?), after 1900. He was married to her in 1883. She listed that she was from German and also Pomeranian. Some elder said he went back to Germany, others said he went to Chicago. Our family history indicated that he may have been Jewish but my DNA indicted otherwise. I cannot find him anywhere after the 1900 census or information before he arrived in the USA. I really would appreciate some help with his information..

  • Donald Faulkner

    January 12, 2018

    Hi ,I have been searching for a very long time for a birth cert.for my GGrandfather (Henry Faulkner b;abt 1839 )and an immigration to New Zealand.I have a lot of info on his life in NZ.There is info on his death cert.that he was born in Poplar,London ,England,one of his son’s second name was Poplar.
    I understand there was a maternity hospital in Poplar at the time of his birth,but apparently it was destroyed during the blitz and records were lost.
    So that could be reason or he could have been born elsewere in the UK and went to NZ from the E.India docks as a child and Poplar was the only place he remembered.
    On his death cert.his parents were named as George and Elizabeth but that could be a guess because I cannot find anything on them either,In NZ or the UK.
    Unable to find any siblings either.
    Hope you can help
    Regards and Thank you

  • Alison Underwood

    January 12, 2018

    Researching a great great uncle a Walter David Nicholl apparently born Scotland circa 1853 , learnt flour milling at Perthshire then in London circa 1870 then to Melbourne and NZ 1800’s+ married my great great aunt Emma Auguste Bertha Hettner at Warrnambool Victoria Australia 1895 -she died 1918 in Perth West Australia but can’t find what he did next aged 65 years. Thanks for your help.

  • Angela Kennedy

    January 12, 2018

    There is a story in our family that my Great Grandmother Gladys Morris came from a wealthy coal mining family. She was supposed to have been born in Gateshead and ran away to London to become a dancer. She married my Great Grandfather Ernest Goodfellow, who was a lowly cellar man at the time, in 1909 at the register office St. George’s Hanover Square. The marriage certificate says she is 27 and that her father is Henry Morris, a secretary. She died in 1955 and her death certificate gives her age as 72. Her entry on the 1911 census in London gives her birthplace as Durham and her age as 29. On the 1939 register she gives her date of birth as 7 September 1885. My Grandmother believed that Glady’s family supported her financially for many years. I have been unable to find out anything about her before her marriage which is very mysterious.

  • Joni Thompson

    January 12, 2018

    I know that my great grandmother came on a ship to Castle Gardens, New York. The ship left from Hamburg, Germany. Due to spelling changes, I cannot locate where in Germany or possibly other European countries she came from. She came over on a ship, Hostelier, with her grandmother and mother with other siblings in 1865. I have a copy of the ship’s passenger list. Her name was Elizabeth Bevan ( Bevandusky, Bewanduski) Herrrington. She married Bragg Herrington. Would love to find out where she was born in Europe.

  • Jane McCracken

    January 12, 2018

    My Father’s family has many stories involving the bank robber, John Dillinger. Are there any written documents that establishes the friendship between John Henry Ballard and John Dillinger? Family members have said that Dillinger frequently stopped in Dugger, Indiana to get his hair cut by John Henry Ballard, buy illegal whiskey from Benjamin Timothy Ballard, and get his car repaired by James Austin Ballard.

  • Robert Hutchinson

    January 12, 2018

    My Gr Gr Gr Gr Gr Grandfather came from Ireland in 1752 but I have no idea from where or who his father was. Also wondered if Anne Hutchinson who helped found the Pensylvania Colonies was a relative. Some hope that they are related to a President not my hope at all. One other mystery is my Gr Gr Grandfather Michael Frazier family history says was some how connected with the Iroquois Indians and I’d like to know if I have any Indian heritage in me.

  • Martha F. H. Mayo

    January 12, 2018

    Where did Thomas Sewall Farrington come from? He was born in 1768. Another Thomas Farrington was born the same year, but he went to NH and VT, and I have irate letters (from before I was born) from his descendants to my grandmother and father saying we people in Maine should not claim him. He arrived from somewhere and purchased land in Maine March 19, 1793. He purchased a lot of land in Maine! The F in my name is for Farrington.

  • chris hunter

    January 12, 2018

    all very interesting,and many thanks for all the help and information.i am thoroughly hooked on my family history.

  • Hana Keluc-Korbar

    January 12, 2018

    Cecilias love story:
    Cecilia Frodls grandfather was a German Catholic, living in a German village Thomigsdorf in CZ.
    His Catholic ancestors escaped from Evangelical Germans and were given Asylum from the King in CZ and later they were also given a land from monastery Santa Klara in Pteni near Olomouc.
    So Cecilias grandfather moved to New Pteni and became a tenant on this land.
    Cecilia father Franz Frodl (1807- 1861) became an orphan with 17 years.
    In 1844, he married his neighbor Josefa Huska (her family was German, too).
    Their first baby was Cecilia Frodl and than seven other children came.
    Cecilia was 17 years old, as her father died…
    She worked as a cook at the Pteni Castle.
    There she met an Hungarian soldier Sapany, he was an officer in Austrian-Hungarian army.
    Hussaren had wonderful uniforms and the best horses… 🙂 And she was a very beautiful girl… 🙂
    They fell in love and so she ran away with him on the other side of monarchy, to Transylvania in Romania, where many Germans and Hungarians lived.
    She was in 5th month pregnant, as she got married, age 23, in the year 1868 in Medias in Romania.
    But not with her love, because he was an aristocrat, his uncle was an Hungarian Count
    and also an Archbishop in Olomouc.
    So he didn’t got permission to marry her, and his family forced her to marry a Romanian military
    cook Nicolae Calutiu, so that the child Josef was not born as an illegitimate child.
    Cecilia was very unhappy and she escaped with the baby Josef from Medias.
    On her way she hid in an big stack of hay, as she saw, that the real father of her baby
    was desperately looking for her on his horse.
    Later she heard, that he got very ill in the rain on that day and died soon after.
    Cecilia got back to CZ with her baby Josef, after more months, with the help of the farmers – 1000 km!
    Her son Josef Keluc Calutin (1868-1951), born in Medias, is my grand-grandfather and he was
    a policeman in Prostejov near Olomouc and he had 9 children.
    Is this family story true, is my ancestor Hungarian
    (and Cecilias husband, the Romanian Nicolae Calutiu, only the stepfather)?

  • James T. Vaughn Sr.

    January 12, 2018

    My Great Grandfather Thomas L Vaughn Born Dec. 9, 1876, or 1877 in Brookland NY. He married Lula M Reed in Akron, Summit County, Ohio Nov. 29, 1911. He was a barber and I can trace him in Akron, Ohio until 1920, from then on his life and death is a mystery. On their marriage license, his parents listed as James Vaughn and Mary Rolland and I can’t find any info on them at all? I don’t have the results back from my DNA yet, it should be any day now. Please help me find the pieces to the Vaughn Family puzzle. Thank you in advance,

  • Beverly Rainforth

    January 12, 2018

    We can trace my matrilineal line to Norway, but then nothing! Help us find the family of Thone Kjetilsdtr Vrolstad (from Telemark) who married Nils Herreid (from Eidfjord), and died in 1908 in Galesville WI. We also cannot find the ship(s) on which either emigrated or when they married.

  • Linda Neumiller

    January 12, 2018

    I am having a hard time tracking family members with my Dad’s Mother. All I have is that her name was Yvonne Leduc born November 2, 1907 in Southbridge Worcester County Massachusetts. She married Isidore Mandoza Gauthier in 1928 in Southbridge Worcester County Massachusetts. They had 3 children.
    If you can get me more information I would deeply appreciate it.

    Thank you
    Linda Gauthier Neumiller

  • Cendy Martin

    January 12, 2018

    I’m trying to find out our Heritage. Dad told us were Irish and Indian descent?
    I found out the Ragan names is Irish. My grandmother was a White and Her parent was John Daniel Issac. White and
    Matilda Katherine ( Bean) White ?
    His Dad Was Stepthen White and Sarah (Roberts).
    Matilda parents were? Walt or Walter Bean. We think she was from TN?
    AFTER John and Matilda moved to Ark. Where they was buried.?
    We’ve heard that Sarah and Matilda had Indian blood.? Is there any one can help?

  • Pam Hill

    January 12, 2018

    My husband has never met his father. He was born in Santa Monica Ca and he and his mother moved to Logan Ut when he was only a few months old. We have never been able to find out anything on him and would like to know something about his family.
    His mother never gave him any information and he was left with the babysitter when he was five. They raised him but knew nothing about his father.
    We found out that his mother has passed away and he has a half sister but from a different father.
    If you could help him find out his heritage it would be awesome.
    His name is Robert P Hill. Birthdate 11/13/46

  • Linda Swan

    January 12, 2018

    My fathers family records from Barrie, MA where stored in a church which burned down and all records lost for the Swan family. Interested if there is another way to find history of Swan family history.

  • William L. Francis

    January 12, 2018

    We are trying to find who was my wife’s father’s dad was. My fife’s father’s name is Agel Ross Beamis (Beamies, Beemis), born 23 July 1904 at Hartshorne, Indian Territory. His mother was Lue Ward. We cannot find any record of his father. Agel was supposed to be part Indian but we cannot prove it. The is no records because the Court House burned down.

  • Roger

    January 12, 2018

    My mother says we are related to the king of Sweden.her great grandmother worked at the Royal palace. And her story is .the king and her grandmother we’re in love but he couldn’t marry her because she was a commoner’s daughter. Any way would be interesting.

  • Mary Ellen Parchem

    January 12, 2018

    I am looking for parents/siblings of my 2nd ggrandfather, Matthew, Washington Grubb. He was born June 16, 1813, in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. He also went by Mathew with one T. I have a working theory. He names a daughter, Tamer Wood. I found a James Tamer Wood in the Quaker women’s minutes that went by the name Tamer. I also found in Quaker Tamer married to a Grubb. Another record shows it was Sam Grubb. Dates could have worked. I can not find any connection or definitive facts to the above. Matthew married Lydia Ann Jones Dec 1, 1840. Lydia’s family appears to be Quakers but it does not appear they were married according to the Friends. I have discovered many facts after his marriage but nothing bfore.

  • Dorothy Snodgrass

    January 12, 2018

    My Great-great-greatgrandfather is a mystery to me. I don’t what date etc. when he arrived to US. and his true last name.

  • Patricia Beullens

    January 12, 2018

    My welsh great grandfather enlisted in confederate army on 8th May 1861@Lynchburg Virginia supposedly. His name is William Jones STITT, birth circa 1849 , Llanerchymedd, Wales. I find this hard to believe given his young age. He subsequently arrived in Australia around 1871 and married my Australian great grandmother Lydia Pitman on 8/9/1885. I am interested to know what William did whilst in the USA.

  • Karen Wilson

    January 12, 2018

    I have my fathers birth certificate and his parents information, same with my mother, BUT I have not been able to find out when and where they were married or divorced. I found where my father did not have any children, I know of at least 2 – Me and My brother . Even looking up my mother, I can not find out that information. I did find a listing in the 1940’s phone book in Longview of them both. Where would I find the correct information??

  • Marvel Eileen Kummer (Miller)

    January 12, 2018

    My Mom was born in an Out House in 1922 because my Grandmother was pregnant staying with her sister Mae because My Grandmother was not married and back then that was like the story of The Scarlet Letter. My Grandmother went to the Out House on Mae`s Farm and because Grandmother had been out there too long she went to check and their was my Mom with my Grandmother. Mom never got a Birth certificate only a Baptismal Certificate from the Lutheran Church to prove her Birth. Mom lived to 93 and she tried to find her Dad before she died but did not succeed. I have tried and tried to find my Grandfather Lawrence A. Hill from Minnesota too, just want to see a picture of him and maybe find out a little about him.

  • Charlaine Prince

    January 12, 2018

    My Grandfather George Taylor Prince Sr. was born in Parwich, England and left his parent’s, Martha and Thomas Prince, 4 full sister’s, Sarah Jane, Annie, Martha, Louisa Marsh, and two half siblings, Fanny and William Hadfield behind to move to Canada. He passed and is buried in the same area I still reside. I have been searching for information on all my Grandfather’s siblings, which would be my Great Aunts’s and Uncle. Most of all, I would like to connect with their surviving children and grandchildren, but, so far have not found the avenues to obtain information of their location in England.

  • Edith

    January 12, 2018

    My great great grandparents came to New york city at separate times. He came to North America first to bring his wife over. By the time he saved enough money her employer had seduced her and he brought over her and the child. Problem is there is no record of the marriage and later censuses has the marriage after the birth of the second child. The name changes the nationality changes. They moved often. I often wonder if they were running from the father of the first child?? My great grandmother gave everyone the impression that they were poor but my great Aunt remembers them crossing the Canadian border in May 1913 in a car. Their daughter my great grandmother Elizabeth Warner born Sept 11 1892 used a false name to live in Canada and wondering if she got the idea from her parents. She reinvents herself as a widow with the last name of Williams. Still not sure that John Morgan and her were ever married. My dna has confirmed that all her tales were lies so now I wonder about her parents. She told everyone her husband John William was shot on the way to the Canadian border as a horse thief. Address for my great great grandfather when he crossed the border from Canada to New York for medical reasons later in life. I do have a DNA connection to Doerr but their family came to North America 100+ years before mine. Tracing the ancestors left behind did not work.

    I think they were german even if they claimed they were Belgium several times. Where did they come from and who were their parents?

    My great great grandparents

    Frank A Warner birth 19 Jan 1858 Ruiselede, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium death 1944 • Carmen Manitoba
    Pauline Camille Doerr birth 10 JAN 1862 • Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany death 04 APR 1943 • Rm Carman, Manitoba, Canada

    First child out of wedlock from employer’s son Emily (Emma) Marie Warner
    According to census born NOV 1885 • belgium

  • Patricia Mary Adolph (nee Prictor)

    January 13, 2018

    I would like the help of your team to help find my older sibling who was adopted approx. 1953-1954.

    My mother Dorothy Joyce Prictor (nee Perniskie) gave birth to a baby in Whangarei, New Zealand. not sure on gender. She left Tuatapere and headed to the north island where she met my father.

    For years I have felt something missing in my life, and since having my DNA test done, has left lots of questions.My birth records from the hospital has shown their was a live birth before myself.

    Have being talking with my aunt, uncle(mums family) and friends of hers from the past, they are all vague on details to what happened. They all have small pieces of the puzzle but not the whole picture.
    Times were very different in those days, and things were kept pretty hush hush, and they are not truly comfortable with me asking. I love my mother dearly (who is deceased); but I would desparately like to find my older sibling for myself, my brothers, and my family.

    If you could help me find her or him, I would be truly grateful. My life would be full.

    Kind regards
    Patsy

  • Lea Bucanek

    January 13, 2018

    I would like to know if our family is related to General William Tecumseh Sherman? I was told he was our great Uncle. Thank you, Lea C. (Sherman) Bucanek.

  • Carol (nee Campbell)

    January 13, 2018

    I’d like to find out more about Grandfather Manus Donnachie, (married to Sarah Fitzpatrick) killed in France WW1. He served with King’s Own Scottish Borderers. I’m new at all this, through a cousin who has searched her parent’s side. I’d like tto do the DNA test. I’m also desparately looking for cousin in Queensland Australia.THANK YOU

  • Katrina Zigan Lucier

    January 13, 2018

    Hello,
    I have always grown up hearing that my dad was somehow related to the 17th century Welsh privateer, Cptn. Henry Morgan. I am indeed related to the Morgan surname on both my paternal grandfather’s and grandmother’s side (direct lineage on grandfather’s, through marriage on grandmother’s). I would really LOVE to find out if this family myth is true and if I am in fact related to the pirate, Captain Morgan.
    Thank you,
    Katrina Zigan Lucier

  • Brenda Ackerman

    January 13, 2018

    After marrying at a young age and having three children our biological parents had a very long and bitter divorce. Us girls were adopted my our step father. Our assumed bio father (only know name and one picture )had remarried and had four children with several being the same age as us. Everything was a secret. The family history and all the children . Us and them. I did find a family tree on another site and the site manager had never heard of any of us. All the parents, grandparents and any one with any information are deceased. This year as a Christmas gift I ordered DNA swabs on myself and my 2 sisters. We do not want to be public about out history, however, it would be very nice to at least have the knowledge of what happen and some pictures. They have to be some out there< Right?

  • Roberta Wobler

    January 13, 2018

    I have a couple of mysteries. The one on my mothers side goes like this: Her maiden name is Hissong. I know it can be spelled several different ways. I have tracked the family to a town south of Mansfield Oh. Then the trail stops. The legend in the family is they were Hessian mercenaries’ during the Revolutionary War. That puts them at Trenton Nj. How do you prove any of this? Where did the Hessian come from in Germany? Are there any family left there? If I am chosen, maybe you can help me with the other mysteries.

  • John

    January 13, 2018

    I have been looking for my great grandfathers parents. I can not find any information on them. I have found a marriage document that state his parents names but that is where I get stumped. Can not find any information on his parents. The earliest Census 1881 state my great grand father James Burns was born around 1855 in Ontario, Canada. He was married to Ellen fox in 1880 I also know that he was a orphan. Please help so i have a clearer picture of my past.

  • Lisa Harris

    January 13, 2018

    My mother Caroline Toon was pregnant to a man who was killed while on duty in the dam busters. Mum had a baby girl who she also named Caroline. My mother gave away her little daughter to a Baroness. I would love to find her before its too late.
    My mothers mother who was also named Caroline died a terrible death. My mother found her burned to death in Sutton in Ashfield England. I have no photos of my mother as a child or her parents or family members. We came out from England in 1960 on the Fair Sea, the Sitmar Line .Mum died when I was about 25 or 26 years old. I am now 65 years old

  • Joyce Rogers

    January 13, 2018

    My husband’s great grandfather was Albert George Thomas Beverly Rogers, went by Beverly. Beverly was born 1821 in Spartanburg SC and he was in the Canton Volunteers during the Mexican War.

    When my husband did a DNA test we found that his YDNA goes with the Stephens/ Steven Surname. He has a Y DNA 67 marker match to a Stephens that is from the Cumberland area, North Carolina, but we can not get farther back. I think Beverly was illegiment and his parents may have lived next door to each other in 1820, but is a guess.

    Hubby is 79 and would love to find the answer, any help would be wonderful.

  • Elizabeth Gebler

    January 13, 2018

    All I want to know about my heritage is where and when and cause of death of my father, James
    Stewart, who was born in Belfast, Ireland in 1899 and arrived at Ellis Island at age 12. He had many
    brothers and sisters. He married my Mother in Jersey City, N J and I was born in 1931. He left us
    and returned a few times and left for good around 1943 and was in Hawaii and then ????. My
    beloved Mom divorced James in 1946.
    My eldest son developed schizophrenia in his late 20’s and married and he and his wife had two
    children who are now 31 and 27. At age 56 my son developed ALS and died at age 62. I really want
    to learn if my absentee “father” had either of these devastating illnesses.
    Thanks for any help you can give. Sincerely, Elizabeth Stewart Gebler@bettygebler@gmail.com

  • BRENDA DAY

    January 13, 2018

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

  • Susan

    January 13, 2018

    My great- grandfather, Robert Ellis b 1857 and died Feb.,1894 m Charlotte Arthurs, in Rowan or Iredell county, NC is buried unknown grave. We do not know how he died or where buried. He had a son that was born in July 1894 with the name Robert P. Ellis, buried in Willow Valley Cemetary, Mooresville, NC. The first Robert lived in Chambersburg Township. Can you help us find his grave?

  • Sharon Zimmerman

    January 13, 2018

    I cannot find evidence of John Coleraine’s birth in 1858-1860. His daughter’s marriage license says that he was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He died in 1898 in St. Louis, Missouri. I know that he was in Madison, Indiana by 1863. His parents are both buried there. He is there in the 1880 census.

  • Dianne Fiori

    January 13, 2018

    I am very curious about why I have found no mention of my great, great grandfather Erasmus Michael Correll’s son William Erasmus Correll in his obituary or historical records. Erasmus married, had a son, (my great grandfather), and a year later moved to Nebraska and married again and had three more children. He founded the Hebron Journal, was elected to Neb. state legislature and introduced a women’s suffrage bill in 1881. There is even to this day an Erasmus Correll award given to people who support women’s issues. Yet he left his first wife and apparently never mentioned his first son to anyone. Who wrote his obituary and why is Erasmus’ son not mentioned? Where is the record of his divorce from his first wife and the marriage record to his second wife? I want to validate my great grandfather’s ancestry once and for all.

  • Karen Smith

    January 13, 2018

    My grandfather is a mystery. His name was Lesley Robert Parker. We have no records or paperwork on him. He married my grandmother Alicia Bernice Cosse shortly before my father’s birth in Oct 1937. My grandfather was a merchant marine. He disappeared and have no idea if he was killed during the war of just deserted his family.Can you please help

  • Chalmous Reemes

    January 13, 2018

    I have hit a brick wall. been working on it for 6 years, no results. Would like to win a chance to get help from MyHeritage

  • Rebecca Bowles

    January 14, 2018

    Researching ZERUIAH TURTLELOT HUNTER born ca. 1827-1828, Indiana
    I am seeking any information regarding my great-great-grandmother, Cherokee ancestor, Zeruiah Turtlelot. If you can provide any help at all, or refer me to someone else who can help, I would be most grateful.
    Pertinent information:
    *Born between 1820 and 1830. Probably 1827-1828.
    *Believed to have been born in Indiana. Possibly in Knox County.
    *Married Robert McDoal (McDowell?) Hunter before 1859.
    *1860 United States Census transcribes her name as “Zemra” Hunter, age 32, married to Robert Hunter, age 37 (estimated birth year 1823); living in Harrison Township, Knox, Indiana. One daughter, Mary E Hunter, age 1 year, born in Indiana. (Mary Ellen is my great-grandmother; she married Louis Gremore in Vincennes, Indiana and lived at that location and later in New Madrid County, Missouri; Their daughter, Sophia Iona Gremore (my grandmother) married Harold Tope.)
    *1870 United States Census transcribes her name as “Zerniah” Hunter, age 43, married to “Robem” Hunter, age 45; living in Moundville, Vernon, Missouri. Two daughters: Mary E Hunter, age 11, and Margret Hunter, age 9. One Son: Robert Hunter, age 2.
    • An alternate transcription of the 1870 United States Census lists her as “Zerwah” Hunter, age 43, married to “Ruben” Hunter, age 45; Living in Missouri. Two daughters: Mary E Hunter, age 11, and Margret Hunter, age 7. One Son: Robert Hunter, age 2. All born in Indiana.
    Based on family oral history, Zeruiah Turtlelot is believed to have been of Cherokee ancestry.
    While no information about Zeruiah’s parents seems currently to be available, this posting on Ancestry.com may help to explain why some Cherokee were living in Indiana in the early 1800’s:

    “During the Indian removals a small band of Cherokee fled North to Indiana and took white surnames to hide from the government which was desperately trying to find them.
    Eventually they were overlooked and forgotten about but today the descendants of this band have their own organized tribal band of the Cherokee. They are known as the Lone Wolf Band centered in Indiana. They have no official recognized status because none of their ancestors met Dawes Rolls requirements i.e. they had to live in Oklahoma.”
    I haven’t been able to verify the above posting with any citations and would welcome any input as to the veracity of the statement.

    In writings excerpted from “The Lone Wolf Band of Cherokee Indians”, Indiana’s Cherokee people, and expanded upon by Chief Nvya Yona, UCN, this statement appears:
    “It should also be recognized that these undocumented Cherokee, might also be the descendants of the Cherokee people who fought against the white man, the Cherokee people who refused to be placed in reservations. The Cherokee people who hid out in the hills from the white man and kept themselves “free.” These Cherokee felt that they had held to their belief of freedom and did not give in or sell out to the white mans government. These were the Cherokee who felt that they were the true Cherokee, the true warriors for our freedom. These people went through a lot to keep hidden from the white man and to be safe from removal. They had to change their names and / or take on the names of non-Indians. They kept no records so that they could not be traced. All family history was by word of mouth. Soon, not even verbal history was spoken under fear of imprisonment. So our ancestors had to hide their pride. It became so bad that soon no one spoke of their heritage and unfortunately, some younger family members were not told of their heritage just so they would be kept safe. Our ancestors gave up a lot, just to be free… Today, because of that, some of their descendants cannot find a history of their family. Cannot prove, by the white man’s government standards, that they are Cherokee. Our ancestors never thought that we’d have to prove to anyone who we were.”

    My grandmother, Sophia Gremore Tope, thought that her grandparents hid their background history because they were embarrassed about something, but perhaps they were silent about their history out of fear of discovery? If so, they did an excellent job of covering their tracks! A big challenge for our family today to try and uncover any information about their parentage.

    Thank you for your consideration. I simply wish to honor the memory of my ancestors and welcome your help.

  • Ms Terry L Goff

    January 14, 2018

    I’ve been trying for years to find my paternal great-grandparents, Robert & Josephine (maybe). My grandfather Charles (aka Slim) was born in 1881 in Waco, TX. I was told that the Waco courthouse burned down many years ago. The first U.S. Census Charles would have appeared was 1890, many of those records & those from 1900 & 1910 were lost in a fire. Grandfather Charles was civilian worker (horse wrangler) for Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War & receive a land grant in Florida for his service, but I could find a record the remotely matched him. Charles supposedly traveled with Ringling Brothers/Barnum & Bailey Circus as a vet, but could find anything.
    I was told that my grandparents were married 1/13/1909, but not sure where. I was told that my great-grandfather was an Indian agent in Oklahoma, but not which tribe. And that my great-grandmother was half native American, but my Dad & Uncles argued for years which tribe. I had my DNA tested but I didn’t get nary gene.

  • Deanna

    January 14, 2018

    My Grandfather, Arthur Joseph Reilley divorced my grandmother Ethel M. Bunker Reilley sometime in the 30’s. They were living in Chicago at the time. They had 2 boys together, Arthur Jr. and Jerome Eugene Reilley (my father). Jerome passed away in 2016 but his older brother Arthur Jr. is still alive and does not have much time left. He really really wants to know if his father ever remarried and if he has any half siblings out there somewhere. I have been trying to find information on my grandfather for my uncle but he seemed to have disappeared off the planet. Even his information from birth around 1887 to the marriage in 1927 is a bit sketchy. My grandmother even let it slip that he was married before her and kept it a secret from her. I would really appreciate any help I could get.

  • Denise

    January 14, 2018

    Looking for my cousins….Eric Paul Chapman and Tammy Chapman.There father was Jodie Chapman(military)..my aunt was Mary Ann Chapman.they divorced. My grandmother Evelyn Flood took Tammy and Eric and.. had them adopted by a couple who lived on my grandmother street…Middlefield street in San Antonio Texas This was in the middle 60s…Eric and Tammy were maybe4 and 3 years old. The couple could be military. My grandmother also gave a third child away as soon as my aunt gave birth …all I know is it was girl and she was born at Robert B. Green hospital in San Antonion Texas. My grandmother gave the child to a different couple here in town. This was around the same time Tammy and Eric were adopted.
    My daughter recently took a heritage DNA test that I got her for Christmas and she told me she had a list of almost 200 people she was related to…I asked if there were any Chapman’s and she said yes! It said they were cousins..twice removed! The name was Joshua Chapman and he lives in the u.s. Can you help me ? I have been searching for awhile and have hit my wall. Any information will be greatly appreciated.

  • Michael Moss

    January 14, 2018

    An unresolved mystery in my family tree is that of GEORGE HERBERT POWIS (b April 1883 Ipswich)
    a master butcher who married Helena May Mecham ( b 30/06/1887 Gt Yarmouth ) in Great Yarmouth
    in April 1909. Helena was apparently pregnant by another man on their wedding day and George left
    England to seek a new solo life in America sailing from Liverpool on the Mauretania on 2/04/1910. He
    regularly sent letters to his parents but they ceased in 1916 followed by a telegram from the New York
    authorities reporting that he had been found dying from stab wounds in a shop doorway. I have tried
    the Foreign and Commonwealth Office but to no avail – the New York police report that without an
    address for the shop doorway they too could not help. I, as well as Helena’s family would like to solve
    the mystery of when and where George actually died and to trace his grave.

  • Michelle McDonald

    January 14, 2018

    I am trying to find out more information on my Paternal Grandfathers line. We have Huntington’s in our family tree and I am trying to trace that for future family records.
    Thank you

  • Howard Shergold?

    January 14, 2018

    I find your win a chance to have your family mysteries solved interesting. Recently I was handed a family tree which included my greats names, who were Jewish. The my great Jewish ancestor married a Gentile. When I ask my oldest family members; linked to this Jewish line for help to prove? I am Jewish or not! They are not willing to discuss it. I sense I am like that medal buried in a foreign land? A Jew a Gentile! For years I have sensed whilst attending Christian Churches, that I am really Jew dressed in another’s religion. My Jewish name is Howard Shergold. My parental given birth name is Howard Weston. Kindest regards Howard Shergold?

  • Shirley Garwig Kribbs

    January 14, 2018

    My search goes back only 1 generation. My father’s sister Shirley Garwig Berchtold died in 1935 in New Castle, Pennsylvania. Her gravestone has no dates but for the year of her death. I was told she had a radio show in Cleveland OH with her husband Jack Berchtold – the Jack and Jill Show. She was an opera singer & they had 2 daughters. My grandparents died in 1959, my father in 1975 & my mother in 1986. My father had no other siblings. I was able to find a Jack B in Massachusetts with a radio show that ended in the 60s but no clues after that. I would truly love to find my cousins!

  • Marjorie Hyman

    January 14, 2018

    I cannot find any records of my Grandfather’s father Frank Fuller( possibly died in 1930’s) in Stueben Co , NY. Brick wall. For years. He may be a bigamist? He’s holding up the entire tree!

  • Klaudie Rice

    January 14, 2018

    Hi this is what i would like to solve there is no record of my mothers birth may have been destroyed in a fire, therefor that i can’t trace her side of the family only the adoptive side in addition on my fathers side he had a sister bur i cannot find her or his brother david who went missing as i am told note i met my moms mom when i was about twenty so i know she was alive thus my true identity will never be known with out my, moms heritage as well as my dads.i hope this will give you enough interest to aid. in the investigation.

  • R. Angela (Zecca) Vause

    January 14, 2018

    I have spent 55 years trying to find my grandmother’s parentage. Claire May Knox. I lived with her, Folkestone, Kent, England until she died. I was 12 years old then. I cannot find her brother’s birth either George Victor Knox. There is no proof that she descended from gypsies (as she told me) but there is no evidence that she wasn’t either.
    The Salt Lake City Family History Library tell me I have indeed searched everywhere.I have not found her pension record, or a passport application, or her brother’s blind pensioner record. She married Enzo Carlo Mariano Martilli in 1919 and they moved to Italy within a few short years, then she returned back to England after Enzo died. in 1937.
    I am 72 years old and I’m not sure how many years I have left to find more information on her and her husband Enzo. I have several generations of Enzo’s family but no sources of their birth or death in Florence, Italy yet.
    Sincerely, Angela
    R. Angela Zecca-Vause

  • Juliet Reid

    January 14, 2018

    My Father, M.A. Hawker (1931-2002) was born in Devon, England and it seems most of my family comes from Devon. There was an eccentric vicar, R.S. Hawker (1803 -1875) who lived just across the county border in Cornwall, in a remote coastal place called Morwenstow. He wrote poetry and mystical stories in a hut made from driftwood looking out to sea and he saved a number of ship-wreaked sailors.
    I have some photographs of Robert Stephen Hawker, the Vicar of Morwenstow, including one of a portrait of him, he and my Father looked so alike they could be the same person! I really am not exaggerating, I can’t imagine they are not related and yet we can’t find the connection.

  • Jo Ann Hatstat

    January 14, 2018

    How do I send you “my story” for the contest?? I cannot get on that site just by entering that e-mail address. Please let me know because I need help with my brick wall Murphy. Thank you

    • Jess

      January 15, 2018

      Thanks for your questions! You can email your family mystery to

  • Jo Ann Hatstat

    January 14, 2018

    I first find my John Murphy in Beekmantown NY working for Matthew Desmond. John married Elizabeth Edgerton there in 1834 and then moved to Stockholm NY to work a contract farm and raise his large family. It is said he was born in Cork Ireland in 1809 but I cannot find his parents or where for sure in Ireland he came from. Some indication of his father and mothers names may be reflected in the names of his children. William, James, Thomas, Henry for male names and Marietta, Margaret for female names. There was one “naturalization form that listed several Murphy’s and John is listed there but only with the reference he worked for Matthew Desmond. Can anyone find who his parents are and where for sure he is from? I would appreciate this a lot. A long tome brick wall for sure.

  • Beverly Gossman

    January 14, 2018

    My great great grandpa William Higgins born April 22, 1805 near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania i am trying to fine his .parents. Have not been able to find any information in the pennsylvania. census. some one said maybe the last name was Huggins and they changed in down the line. any help will be appreciated. i can’t afford to pay someone to search.
    We are killing our selves trying to break the wall.
    So if some one can break our wall we would really appreciate that.

  • Pauline Aksenfeld

    January 14, 2018

    I’d love for you to research my grandmother so I could know more about her immediate family, and especially her tie to a particular man born in the 1800’s. She with her family (husband & children), and separately, her parents came to the USA from Europe, via England. I know a bit about her parents & grandparents, but that’s it. I did not hear 1 word about if she had any siblings. My grandmother’s parents were married over 50 years and were quite religious, so my guess is it’s quite likely my grandmother had some siblings, that also had descendants. My grandmother spoke many languages. (I’ve found some promising records regarding at least 1 possible sibling, but not enough to positively know she ties to her.) As to “that man born in the 1800’s”, about 300 of us (mystery relatives to each other who did DNA tests and are on Gedmatch), and are part of a private Facebook group created about a year ago, are all trying to figure out how so many of us are all related to one another in that group. After a year of various discoveries and sharing our stories, we are pretty sure of the 1 man in the 1800’s that we most likely all tie to. However, he had many wives at the same time, and over 125 children. And most of those records are probably not in English, until they arrived into other countries. It seems we all likely descend from him, somehow (via one wife or another, or one of his brothers who did the same as him). But many surnames were changed as the families went from Europe to England & USA or Israel; and most name changes were due to the fact that he had to hide knowledge of him having so many wives and so much property. Our whole group would like to figure out how we tie to that man, etc. We did figure out the pattern of surnames he chose; wives maiden names, or surnames that meant the same word but in different languages, mainly. And we have a pattern of common surnames that keep coming up in our DNA matches’ trees. We’ve got lots of clues, but not enough to know for sure (at least with our rudimentary level of DNA knowledge) how we all tie, to each one another and our trees. Many of us researched our other 3 grandparents, and all are now on our hardest grandparent who strangely had very little shared about them to us (from our own families – compared to all our families shared about our other grandparents). But through that Facebook group, we have figured out that there were many people in our family that played very important roles in history. (During WWL, WWII, creation of &1st prime minister of Israel, spies for USA & Israel, some of the family has had movies made about them, very famous musicians & entertainers, people involved in the creation of the witness protection program, witnesses in the family that needed protection, and perhaps quite a few that came via the “Orphan Train”, etc.) So, now it’s making more sense why secrets were kept, to protect the family from one thing or another, or lack of knowledge after a while. Hopefully the need for those secrets are now past. Our group keeps saying that one day when we get this family tied together, all we’ve learned will make a great book or movie! It’d be nice for us to figure it out in our lifetime, to know this part of our most amazing family history. Again, we have, as a group, many records & stories that seem to tie together, and certain more and more glaring patterns that it’s become a joke now. Such as, when we ask someone to join our group and tell us about themselves, there is always an important scientist, famous entertainer, or judge in their family; and of course many tie to Romania or to Brooklyn, NY. (A somewhat odd pattern, is of how much many old family photos look sooo much like our younger family, 3 generations later. I mean almost identical except for the clothes and hair styles.) That 1800’s man, was quite wealthy, and owned much land/businesses/many homes (more like mini castles) from Latvia down to Romania. His businesses were mainly lumber, horse raising (for armies), cattle, leather goods/tanning, things related to those industries, etc. Of course all that was taken from him, or left behind when getting much of the family out of Europe. How we are all related has been just beyond our grasp thus far, and any expert super sleuthing would be so appreciated. Thank you from me and our group.

  • Cleophas Boyd jr

    January 14, 2018

    My mother died young…I’m unable to find her family line..because she was a ward of the state or adopted…in the saint louis.MO area…her family name. .Wright…is not hers…we need to find who she was at birth…

  • Kathy bott

    January 14, 2018

    Is this only for Americans, my ? Is in Australia

    • Jess

      January 15, 2018

      Hi Kathy, this contest is open to everyone around the world. Please email your family mystery to

  • Carol Cieszinski

    January 14, 2018

    Looking for Margarita de la Garza, wife of Jose Antonio Navarro. Too much conflicting information on her birth. Six years difference in who most believe is her. Her tombstone confirms a 6 year difference from their dated Margarita. Have searched for more than 45 years. Have everything else, but the birth confirmation. In those days it was a baptism, she was a Catholic child born to Xaviera Flores and Pedro Flores. The other child is a Flores which matches the mother’s maiden name, but the baptism for this
    Flores child says father unknown. I tend to believe the tombstone. It matches up to her death year, of
    which I have proof of that. Her will, her obituary her marriage but no proof of her birth. Possibly born
    in Mexico or in San Antonio, Texas. Margarita was the wife of Texas patriot Jose Antonio Navarro.
    Please help me solve this mystery.

  • Gwen Seba

    January 14, 2018

    I have nowhere to go. My paternal grandfather is the last link with info I can find. Can’t find his father, mother actual birthplace etc. I have an article where he states their names. My brother had DNA and paternal is Irish. I’m at a loss.

  • Richard Mason

    January 14, 2018

    I have tried to find my 3rd great grandfather’s father and have hit a brick wall. My third great Samuel Mason
    was born in 1805 in Granville Co, NC. I have gone forward from here but can’t find anything conclusive as to who his father was. I think it could be David but can’t verify. Any suggestions?

  • Cherre Green

    January 14, 2018

    I found out about 10 years ago. That i have a different dad from my sisters and brothers my mother wouldn’t tell me who he was not much of anything about him except Columbian picture of him but I can’t find out anything because I don’t have a Social Security number and my mother passed away about 3 years ago and she took the mystery with her of not letting me know she seem to have always not wanted me to know anything I would love to find out who my daddy is he may not even be alive today but I would still like to find out.

  • Pamela Wigington

    January 14, 2018

    I was raised in the foster home “system”. I am now 65 years old and still know nothing about my family, or where I came from. Who were they, what where they. I know nothing about what I inherited as far as medical. I do believe that I am the soul survivor of my family. Please, make this 65 year old part of a family…

  • Charlene McMillin

    January 14, 2018

    My maternal grandfather left my mother Betty Virginia (Covington maiden name) McMillin born 06/08/1927 Wichita, Kansas, died 01/18/1995 Enumclaw, Wa. And my grandma Viola L. (Finner maiden name) Covington, Coop, Schmidt. When my mother was about 2 yrs old. And, I have been trying to find that part of the family for YEARS!!!

  • John H moore

    January 14, 2018

    I am try to find my indian heritage

  • Robert Eugene Brock

    January 14, 2018

    Our Great, Great, Great Grandparents came from Ireland. Martin Brock was born in Westmeath, and Bridget Dunn (Possibly baptized in Parish Killyon and Longwood, Diocese Meath, County Meath, 8/9/1845) was born in Monk Town (Monkland?), just south of Dublin. My best guess is that three brothers, Patrick, Samuel, and James were orphaned and adopted by Martin and Bridget Brock. Martin and Bridget had one son named after his father, Martin, and two daughters, Elizabeth and Cathaline. The three adopted brothers came to America and the rest of them stayed in Ireland. I would like to know their original last name (Before adoption).

  • Earl Egdall

    January 14, 2018

    My grandfather, Shmuel Yigdal, came to America from the Ukraine. We know his birthdate in Zhytomir, but his surname was assumed. My brother Roy, now deceased, and I tried unsuccessfully to find our what his real name was. The story goes that he was reciting Sabbath prayers at home when the police came and asked him for his name. He refused to interrupt his prayers, so they kept hearing the word ‘Yigdal” over and over. So that’s what they recorded. He came through Halifax, NS, settled in Lawrence, MA and raised a family. He Anglicized his name to Egdall. No one in the family every spoke of the past, except for one or two myths. We have no papers from Europe. Shmuel (Samuel) married Ethel Fleminger from Austria-Hungary region. Not much luck researching her either.

  • Bruce C.Gow

    January 14, 2018

    My Gr Gr grandfather, Frederick Brien born c1827 in hackney, Middlesex London. Married Mary Poyser migrated to Australia for gold in 1850s after six or seven children and occupation of miner at Creswick near Ballarat Victoria, Australia left there late 1860’s for Otago, New Zealand as the gold had just been found there. No trace since…..where are you Frederick?

  • Kim Thomaes

    January 14, 2018

    Obviously our family isn’t alone in hitting that proverbial brick wall. My mother started many years ago to line up our ancestry and did very well before the advent of personal computers. With that age came much more history and by then I was on board as well. Our main stumbling block is with my grgrgrgrandparents on my mother’s side. Their names were Hincks L Gross (b.1806) and Margaret D Graham (b1816). They were married in 1832 in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. She was from that area and Hincks we are told was from the state of New York. Back a number of generations there was a Thomas Gross married Elizabeth Hincks in 1705. We feel there has to be a connection but have never been able to establish it. My mother who will be 92 in a few months is still very much involved in the search and I would so much love for her know that the mystery has been solved.

  • Margaret Anne Comer (nee Sharpe)

    January 14, 2018

    I have been trying to locate information on my uncle Aubrey Reginald Sharpe born in 1899 in Camberwell, Victoria, Australia. The last my father Keith Archibald McDonald Sharpe heard of him was during the WW2 in the early 1940s (I think). I do have this info below:
    1. Name Aubrey Regd Sharpe
    2. Father Thos Cowan Sharpe
    3. Mother Rachel Mcdonald
    4. Birth 1899 – Camberwell, Victoria
    5. Collection Australia Birth Index, 1788-1922
    Aubrey was the son of Thomas Cowan and Rachel Mary Mabel Sharpe.
    I have been trying to find information on Aubrey for approx 15 years but to no avail. This is certainly holding me up from progressing with my Fam Tree. I am now 73 and would like to finish it off for my family.
    There is also a son of Valentine Horatio Cowan Sharpe and Minnie Elizabeth Sharpe, I think by the name of Raymond John Sharpe (sorry I have no further information on him either). A Raymond J Sharpe died in Pakenham but I have been unable to source or find information on him. He died at the beginning of 2017 (Feb I think).
    Kind regards,
    Margaret Comer (Sharpe) forn 21/2/1945. If there is a fee I would gladly pay for this information.

  • Debra Mitchell

    January 14, 2018

    My mother and step-sister are theirs sisters or step-mother and daughter. I don’t understand the relationship between the two. My aunt had 3 kids. Was those kids my grandfather they all live together or did my aunt didn’t married and had kids out of wedlock. Please help me solve this mystery family members saiding all kinds of foolish. Thanks. Was my father in WW11 he said he capture 8

  • Kim Bellamy

    January 14, 2018

    My grandparents, Russell and Arminda Bellamy. Can’t find much on them. Russell was born 1837 and Arminda 1845 she lived to be 108 . That’s all I have on them

  • Alma

    January 14, 2018

    I would like 2 find where myhusbands familey came from.

  • Nancy Hollis

    January 14, 2018

    My maternal grandfather was incarcerated in the Madison County (Indiana) Home for the Criminally Insane in 1935. He died there 20 years later. All I want to know is what crime(s) he committed but the Home won’t tell me. Crime(s) were probably committed in Jeffersonville IN since he lived there. I am 82 and cannot travel to southern Indiana to go through archives in the Jeffersonville IN or Madison In newspapers. His name William Harold Humphreys, Jr. Born in Cincinnati in 1890.

  • irene d. williams

    January 15, 2018

    I have desperately been trying to find my dads family. I do know that he had Mexican and Costa Rican ancestry. I have been told that there is a lot of mexican in the background but can’t find out the name.
    I know that he lived in Oakland, California somewhere around 1935…but unfortunately I don’t have his birthday and there are so many Walter John Williams. I can only guess he was born around 1900. I
    have so little info on him…I was told he was part Cherokee Native…however, on further checking..I
    think my mom was mistaken as being of Costa Rican ancestry…there was a large group of natives called
    Chiriquoi….THEY came down from across the land bridge and then down south. Cherokees, however, migrated down the East coast… Anyway, I just wish I could find out some info about him.

  • Blake Noon

    January 15, 2018

    James Noon, DOB about 1800, Kilcooley, Roscommon, Ireland, was married to Anna Morris, DOB ??, Stokestown, Lissonuffy, Roscommon, Ireland. They had seven children, Patrik 1816, John 1817, Michael 1822, Anna 1826, Maria 1830, Sera 1832 and Winnifred 1838. According to information via a Tartan, Anna Noone (Morris) and John Noone farmed on two plots in Kimacumsy, Roscommon. I have hit a dead end in trying to find out more about James’s family when and where he was married and when and where he died. This contest opportunity would certainly help me complete my family tree.

  • Kenneth L. Clark

    January 15, 2018

    I have been looking for my 4th great grandfather for years but cannot find anything about him. My 3rd
    ggfather was named Johnson J. Clark and was born in New Jersey in 1775. I feel he may have been killed during the Revolution but I don’t really know. Johnson C. was married twice, the second time to Elizabeth Harris who came from a prominent Mormon family. It was from this marriage that my 2nd
    great grandfather Johnson J. Clark was born. Johnson J. in turn had a son named James Abraham. He had a son named Emery Oswald and he had a son named John Clark from whom I am descended.

  • John Bennett

    January 15, 2018

    G’ Day,
    Here is my biggest brick wall.
    Ageless William Glanville.
    From my personal inspection National Archives Kew:-
    Pay Books 47th Regt. WO 12 5902 to WO 12 5920. William Glanville enlisted 3 Feb 1831 in 85th Regt. Occupation brush maker, St Andrews Devon. Transferred to 47th Regt. 2 May 1831. Regimental No is 876 85/800. There is a transfer Reference to Document 4.79 which I was unable to locate. Ran out of time and did not see 85th Regt Pay Books. On Amphitude going to Edinburgh 12 May 1831, 1832 transferred to Ireland, 1835 Gibraltar, 1836 Malta, 1842 Barbados, 1842 St Kitts, 1844 back in England married Sophia Duck (widowed twice, her third marriage to a soldier in 47th) at Daventry on 26 Nov 1844. On certificate William’s father John a waterman, Sophia’s father James Gomez a mason in Madrid. Witnesses, church people recruited for occasion. Ages for both recorded as “of full age”. 1846 Charleville Ireland, 1848 travelled as Regt recruitment Sgt in both Ireland and southern UK. Promoted Cpl 21 Jan 1836, Sgt 24 Mar 1846. Discharged at his own request 15 Mar 1849 at Limerick Ireland with a gratuity of one year’s pay. End of records found in UK.

    From Western Australian Prison Service Records:-
    Former Sgt 47th Regt, 17 Aug 1849 Guard (Enrolled Pensioner Guard?) on hulk Warrior at Woolwich was engaged as a Guard (enrolled Pensioner Guard?) on Convict Transport ship Pyrenees – advanced 3 months salary with a gratuity of 13 pounds. Embarked on Pyrenees with wife Sophia and their 2 kids plus 2 of Sophia’s kids from a previous marriage (with Pte James Kellam, none of 3 kids with Sgt William Duck with them). Left Woolwich 6 Mar 1851, left Torbay 30 Mar 1851, arrived Fremantle Western Australia 26 June 1851 with a son born on ship. Posted to various prisons till appointment on 24 Dec 1851 as Assistant Superintendent at Toodyay Depot where Ticket of Leave convicts were assigned to farms etc. Sophia died in childbirth at Toodyay 6 Oct 1852. William lost plot, took to drink, various misdemeanours till dismissed 7 Jan 1853. Employed as police constable till again dismissed for drink problems. Convict overseer in a country area but again suspended 6 Feb 1854. Deserted kids and went to Cape Town. Letter from Cape Town asking for job back, refused was last official record found anywhere in Australia. Have a brief letter, no date or address, (probably from Cape Town) to kids saying ‘sorry contact again soon’. An even briefer letter/note to kids, thought to be from London saying given a job as an overseer in Barbados and will contact again from there. Nothing more.

    So… No age in 47th Paybooks anywhere, of mature age on marriage cert, (in)conveniently out of country for 1841 and 1851 UK census, no age anywhere in Western Australian Prisons records. Listed all William G’s I could find in 1861 UK census old enough to enlist in 1831, found them all in either 1841 and/or 1851 census and or with a different to John father’s name, so probably was not in England in 1861. Looked at all UK deaths between 1852 and 1862 old enough to enlist in 1831 that I could find – they were all also in 1851/41 census and or had a different to John father, wife not Sophia and kids born when our William was married to Sophia.

    Any help at all would be appreciated, thankyou for considering this matter,
    Cheers, John

  • Shirley Petry-Simmermon

    January 15, 2018

    My grandmother Mary Elizabeth James – Petry, b. 1864 died 1945 in IL. Said her father was John James who was in the Civil War. and that she was a cousin to Jesse & Frank James. Her father went west to the Gold Fields in California and never returned. Her mother died when she was very small. She said her mom had a baby & it cried so she put it to her mothers breast, not knowing that her mother had died, evidently in child birth. She went to work on a Mississippi River Boat at around the age of 12 or 13, telling fortunes with cards. She told fortunes for a living throughout her life. I believe she was the illigitiment child of Jesse James dad “Robert SaleebJames.” I found a death notice in a St. Louis, Mo. Newspaper for a Mrs. Sabray James, found dead in her husbands bed on the Clayton Rd. The time was right for that to have been my grans mother. Right aftervthat Robt. James went to Calif. to visit his brothervDrury. And he died shortly after arriving there. Coincidence? I dont believe so. Frank James picture and my dad could have been mistook for the same man. My brother Tony resembled Jesse.

  • William E. Hammitt

    January 15, 2018

    When my Mother died, we found a black leather case (2 x 4 inches) with a photo of a Union Civil War soldier. Not knowing who it might be, I prided the photo out of the mounting to see if there might be a name on the back of the photo. There was no name but there was a “lock of braided hair”, appearing to be that of a child. I have had my DNA tested, and wonder if the hair could be tested to determine IF the soldier is the photo is a relative.

  • Patty

    January 15, 2018

    I have been try to find out if my Grandmother on my fathers side had something to do with her best friends death when they were age 15. Also a name turned up in my search of a child that she had that no one has heard of. Wondering if she put her up for adoption. Can’t find records of her or of a death that happened in my home town in 1930.

  • Susan

    January 15, 2018

    I would really love to know the source of my great grandfather’s (x 3) wealth, or at least his occupation, that enabled him to emigrate from Scotland to Prussia before finally settling in Denmark. His name was Andrew Darling (born 1776 Prestonpans, East Lothian, Scotland). He married Isobel Jamieson (born 1780). I am descended from his danish-born grand-daughter who emigrated to Australia in the late 1800s. Distant danish relatives also descended from Andrew and Isobel Darling tell me that the Darlings were very well to do, with large homes, land and that all their children were privately educated with tutors in their home. They believe that the Darlings may have owned a saltworks in Prestonpans. I wonder if this is just speculation though as I have read that the saltworks were ‘government’ owned. I have been in contact with a number of descendant- researchers but we all grind to a halt at this point, perhaps as we are all amateurs in family research! I also find it very curious that Scots emigrated to Europe and not the New World. Hoping you can help me!

  • frank De Souza Esquivel

    January 15, 2018

    I been trying to trace some thing about my father { Joaquin Antonio De Souza Esquivel } note some Portugal records show him as {Joaquim }

  • Debra Chavez

    January 15, 2018

    Hello, I never knew my mother she died when I was 5, and my father never really talked about her, only that she was sick and died. This was an interracial marriage, my father Mexican American and my mother white. At 68 years old I want to find out her background and culture. Thank you

  • Debra Chavez

    January 15, 2018

    Hello, I never knew my mother she died when I was 5, and my father never really talked about her, only that she was sick and died. This was an interracial marriage, my father Mexican American and my mother white. At 68 years old I want to find out her background, culture and where her family orientated from. This has always been a mystery to me. Thank you

  • Charmagne Goncalves

    January 15, 2018

    My mystery is that I have doubts my dad died in a Shackleton crash in 1963. I have evidence he never boarded the plane. Any investigation to his life would help. The autopsy report I was given I had presented to a top investigator and it proved false. His name was Captain Jacques Guillaume Labuschagne.

  • Gail Ferrari

    January 15, 2018

    My families “brickwall” concerns my great grandfather, John Daymon. Stories from previous family members state that his family were Huegenots, who were persecuted in France and migrated to Stellenbosch,South Africa. As a young boy he sailed from Stellenbosch with a Captain De Villiers, to Hobart,Tasmania. He worked at Clarenden near Evandale, and eventually settled in Evandale and became a baker.
    Frustratingly, we aren’t able to find his birth, or his parents…………OUR BRICKWALL!

  • liz

    January 15, 2018

    I am looking for Annie Adelaide Coulson born ?? think she was born in Kent about 1853.

    Married a Thomas Caister Major in 1882 in Kent England- they had 4 children Stephen Major, William Coulson Major, Richard Major, and Annie Major

    Annie Adelaide- died in 1896 in Cardiff aged 43yrs

    And that’s it, can’t find her birth reg, unable to find her in a census before or after she married,
    Annie is a friends gggrandmother any help with her would be great
    cheers liz

  • Deb Messier

    January 15, 2018

    Hi, have always felt there was some secret/mystery in our family; My grandmother destroyed most of the pictures of herself (born 1921) and in the remaining ones, she scratched off her face. My great grandparents came from Lithuania Poland and Finland so it is very hard to find information with the language differences and all; have already found 5 variations of my grandmother’s name. Have heard of a suicide in the family some say true and some say not true. There is also a granddaughter listed on one of the census living with my great grandmother but cannot find where she came from. My sister and I had gone to a charity event and it happened there was a psychic medium there who told us where to look and start in the year 1924. My research seems to be at a standstill and something inside of me tells me I need an answer; maybe because my dad, my sister and I are all that remains from our once large family and there is something I need to know. Thank you.

  • Cindy

    January 15, 2018

    I have several that I am stumped on. One is on my mother’s side is supposed to be a bodyguard (Wallace is the name) for Pres. Washington but no proof. And the other is my grandfather on mom’s side whom I can’t prove or find out any info. Supposedly he died of a disease that there was no cure for back then, can’t prove that also. And cannot find his grave plus on top of that there is no father listed on mom’s birth certificate. Really too many questions.

  • Barbara [Daniels] Phillips

    January 15, 2018

    Interesting Blog.
    My mother’s mother (Margaret Caroline Leford) was born in 1889. Her father, John ‘the Baptist’ de Jaohma Leford was born in France or in Canada. His family lived in Beaucheir, France.He was born in 1857. He had a sister, who never married, according to my grandmother. He was a Catholic priest when he was young. After a dispute with his bishop, he left the priesthood. Sometime later, he married a Welsh girl in Missouri. Both my great-grandfather and one of his sons went to France to see the family’s former home in France. I know there must be more to my family’s roots in France.
    Currently, my two daughters and my husband and I plan on going to France in April. Could you help me find my roots in France?

  • Terrie Miller

    January 15, 2018

    My grandfather Red Miller is a black American. His parents died when he was about five years old. I was wondering how they died and it seems like they died at the same time. Family members took care of him and his siblings. His father’s name was Jimmie Miller and his mother’s name Mariah Rozier (maiden last name). His father was born in 1870 and died in 1919. His mother was born in 1883 and died I think in 1919. Both died in Hawkinsville, GA (Pulaski County).

  • Charlie Thompson

    January 15, 2018

    Searching for my GGGrandfather Samuel H. Wring. He was born in Sumner,Tenn. in 1837.I have a copy of his marriage lic.He was married to Mary C. Spicer in 1857 in Trigg county,Ky.He died in Critenden,Ky.in1904

  • Karla Benedetto howard

    January 15, 2018

    I’m looking for information about my father Donald Lamar Benedetto and his parents and siblings

  • Susan J Alexander

    January 15, 2018

    I’ve been at this about 8 years and I just can’t get ANYWHERE past my great grandfather on my mom’s grampa’s side. And my great great grandpa’s wife in my mom’s grandma’s line. With a first name like Parthanaia, you would think it would be easy to track. But, nope! I would LOVE some help!!

  • Gisèle Vanasse

    January 15, 2018

    My great grand-mother Emilie Laporte married Louis Vanasse April 12, 1858 in South Gloucester, Our Lady of the Visitation, Carleton Ontario Canada. Her father Michel Laporte and her mother Elizabeth Toole is where I’m stucked. Michel Laporte is estimated date of birth is 1794 and he died August 3, 1869 in Farrelton Quebec Canada, his wife Elizabeth Toole, her estimated date of birth is 1818 possibly in England and she died August 2 1898 in Farrelton Quebec Canada. The estimated date of their wedding is around 1838. If someone has any idea where they were married so I can continue my research will be great. Thank you

  • Gordon Roulette

    January 15, 2018

    My father passed without knowing how old he was. He was not able to get his old age pension as He and the Government were not able to find what his age was and whom his parents were. He was raised by a Family living on Sandy Bay Indian reserve, however he had blue grey eyes and a sister with blond hair. therefore we don’t believe that they were related. Our dad married our Mother in 1939 at Camperville , Mb. Can. Any help finding who his mother & father are and where he was born would be very appreciated. Thanks.

  • Mellanie Pierce

    January 15, 2018

    I’m writing on behalf of my first cousin. His mother absolutely refused to discuss anything about his father, and he now knows that suranme he has used all his life is not that of his birth father. Upon the death of his mother, he found a photo which he believes is, indeed, his birth father, but DNA testing have not led to any close matches. However, he is well over 30% Native American/Asian and we feel confident that this is from his paternal lines. So, the challenge is, armed with only a photo and another DNA test via MyHeritage, can his paternal family be identified? My cousin is a sweet, personable and intelligent guy and I’d love to help him finally locate his birth father’s family.

    Sincerely – Mellanie

  • Donna Macken

    January 15, 2018

    Trying to find out about my Great Grandfather Thomas Walker Spencer and whether he was related to Princess Diana. He and his mother came here to the us in the 1800s

  • Kimberly Fulton

    January 15, 2018

    Much mystery on my moms side of the family. Her mother was born in Homestead pa. Her name was Marie McKee All we know for sure is that her parents took her to an orphanage. A family friend ended up getting her from the orphanage we are fairly certain that she was not adopted by this family. They just needed farm help. Grandma would not discuss this with her own children. This is all that they knew. My moms dad changed his last name from Roman to Williams. This was before he and my grandma married. Again the family was not to ask and none of the children ever knew why. I know he was born in Colorado and his name was Frank Williams

  • Paula Storace

    January 15, 2018

    I submitted my email to for the chance to win an opportunity to find my biological daughter given up for adoption when I was only 18 years old. There are so many interesting comments here that I am sure my story will seem insignificant by comparison. But a mother never forgets and I have never been able to have any other children. I truly want to find the “one that got away”.

  • Linda McDowell

    January 16, 2018

    My grand mother is Mary Olaine LaBrecque, born 23 December 1905 in Connecticut. Her father is Louis LaBrecque born in January 1873 and mother Mary Archambeau born in Connecticut, in 1874. I have not been able to find any information on my Great grandmother. I know that her maiden name is Archambeau because it is on my Grandmothers death certificate. I have not been able to find my grand mother’s birth certificate. It may have her mother’s name on it.

  • Claudette Morgan Hall

    January 16, 2018

    My grandfather left the family in Kimberly (near Ely) NV. He went for work in mining in Goldfield, NV. He went $50 for his family to join him and was never hear from again. A man who knew the family went to see if he could find anything about him. This was in 1913. He found where he lived and found where he was boarding his horse. The horse was there and buggy was there but he was not found. There was a major flood that year and it is possible he was caught in that or possibly killed for what money he may have had. It was a rough mining town and not many records where kept of those who worked at the mines.

  • Dianne Canty

    January 16, 2018

    My great grandmother she died mysterious circumstances@philadelphia

  • Mary Ruppert

    January 16, 2018

    Looking for place where my grandparents eloped to. John Christopher Rasp b. Nov. 15, 1889 Buffalo, New York Rose Barbara Schied b. May 19, 1890 Buffalo, New York. Found wedding date of Feb. 19, 1907 engraved in his wedding ring.

  • Jacques Purcell

    January 16, 2018

    Hi. Would love to get some kind of I D number of my grandfather George Edward Purcell born 1860 in seven oaks limerick Ireland and went to South Africa. He died 1935 in Bloemfontein South Africa. This would be quite a challenge.

  • Richard William Harris

    January 16, 2018

    Cannot trace William Amos Harris who, according to family history passed down by word of mouth, was born in or close to Colchester, Essex in 1826. He left England in 1860 for reasons unknown and married a Frenchwoman from Savoie. They had 3 children ( William, Richard and Charles ) all born abroad ( Sicily ? Constantinople ? Odessa ? ). I am descended from William who married in Tunis in 1893 ( I have a copy of the Marriage Cert. which includes the ONLY record of William Amos Harris as the father of the groom. Apart from this Marriage Cert. I have no actual record of any of the above. There are vague connections to William Amos having worked on the construction of the Orient Express and Italian National Railways but my researches have come to nothing.

  • Jane Gawthorpe

    January 16, 2018

    I’m looking for Francis Donohue (c1801) from Ireland. He married Mary Ryley & lived for a while in Hull. Sorry, that’s all I have apart from he was father to James & 6 other children, one of which was Selina. Francis’s name was on her marriage certificate so we presume he was still alive 1868. HELP

  • Geertruida van Os

    January 16, 2018

    My mother, born in Japan in 1927, was the offspring of a Japanese mother and a Norwegian father. We do not have information about him as he has a common name. My mother thinks she has a half-sister and would like to know if she is alive and if she has children.

  • Arnold E. Willsey

    January 16, 2018

    looking to find out if Edward Willsey of Wellsboro,Pa. was adopted
    or not?

  • Linda Hughes

    January 16, 2018

    Mystery, We can find no record of my Great Grandmother Wilhelmina Behne Weber. According to my Grandmother, Emma Mary Magdaline Weber Hardt, her mother and father shared a dark family secret that could not be told. All we know of her is that she was born 26 January 1856 in the county of Kuhfed, Prussia. This is all the information she would divulge to her daughter Emma. We do know that she was aided in her immigration to the US by a family with last name of Ritter. My father, Vernon Oliver Hardt received a letter signed by an Aunt Linda Ritter from Hollywood, California. Was the mystery due to the war in Prussia at that time or due to the fact that our family has Huntingtons-Chorea with no proof of where it originated. My brother who is positive and my sister who does not have the disease and myself who has not been tested have all had DNA done through Ancestry, as well as other family members, hoping to get a break that will lead us to our Great Grandmother’s secret. Would love to win and have this mystery solved as we have another mystery on my mother’s side which leaves us puzzled, but that is for another day.

  • Esther Waggoner

    January 16, 2018

    My paternal grandmother ‘s parents from Germany .

  • Marie Gwendoline Forsyth

    January 16, 2018

    From New Zealand. I was born in 1950 and given the name Stubbing. I found out when I was 17, that was not my real fathers name. Mother would not give me his name, said he was was not worth knowing, said he didnt want to know when she got pregnant. She saw him in the street one day and he looked in the pram and said not a bad effort. She was bitter. Other family members said he was Deli, lived in Whangarei and had 7 children. I was given a name something like George or Geo, Sunich, somich or similar. I searched the phone directory & came up with nothing. i tried other area’s to search. I was told that many years later he approach mums sister and was looking for us but mum said tell him we have gone to Australia, but we hadnt. (Still bitter) I’ve had a DNA Test done Dec 2017, I thought I would see Yugoslavia, but there are none. Shocked to see 42.1% Polynesian. (I am white) I think my results are wrong??? I have still been searching and asking questions and just hit a brick wall every time.

  • Mick estorffe

    January 17, 2018

    I have an uncle born in 1937 or 1938 he was adopted out by a church in Birmingham and the church records burnt.

  • Teresa Reynolds (née Turnbull)

    January 17, 2018

    My uncle who has passed told me he had traced our relatives back to the lowlands of Scotland. The Turnbulls. Where we had come from lowland cattle thieves on the border and our ancestor was called Turn the Bull for saving the King from a bull. There is a Turnbull Clan and I would lover to be able to find out how we got from there to my grand father John Henry Turnbull in Birmingham. Where they were settled with my father and his two brothers. My uncle Ivor was in the Army in WW2. His brother Ron was in the RAF and was killed and buried in Munster Germany in 1947. Ron was engaged to a lady called Stella but I do not know anymore about her either. There is only me and my cousin left now and we would love to have this solved.
    Thanks very much

  • Anthony B Roberts

    January 17, 2018

    My Gt Gt Grandfather, George Edward Roberts was born in Stepney Middx, in 1823 according to his Army Records (99th Regt of Foot). He married in 1859 in the Bristol area, still in the Army, and his Father is named as David Roberts (Merchant). I cannot find George Ed Roberts’s Birth anywhere, which stops me finding his Mother’s name.

  • victoria plaister

    January 17, 2018

    My great great grandfather Moss Levin was purportedly born in 1768 in Kingston, Surrey. My family always have said that the family was Jewish. He has been listed on various occasions as a “Silversmith” and a “Gentleman”. Now he married three times and had quite a number of children. He died in 1842 in Richmond Workhouse, Princess Street, Richmond, Surrey. I have had a DNA test carried out and there is only 5% Jewish Ashkenazi. I have been trying, along with other distant relatives to place Moss’ real place of birth and his parentage but have had no luck. There is no exciting story attached to Moss but any ideas of where he originated from would be lovely to have. I have managed to get back to the 1560’s with another branch of my tree and would therefore like to do the same with the Levin family tree. Any ideas?

  • Linda Diane Eleazer Hobbs

    January 17, 2018

    Although I feel wonderful to have found my birth father and to have had time with him, it opened up more questions as I searched his family tree, especially for Cherokee roots unsuccessfully identified and the answer to the family legend that”there is a crown for an Eleazer”. Would love to find the source for that one.

  • Louise Odom

    January 17, 2018

    Looking for my maternal grandmother, Hannah Ezra, nee Solomon, first wife of N.E.B.Ezra. They lived in Shanghai, China, where N.E.B.Ezra published a newspaper. They had 2 children, a girl Mozelle and a boy Benjamin. some time between 1909 – 1912, give or take a few years, Hannah Ezra disappeared, leaving her two children behind. We don’t know what became of her as she was never heard from again. The family believes that N.E.B. Ezra either murdered her himself or had her murdered so that he could marry his cousin Katie Ezra, which he did.

  • Barbara R. Wardsworth

    January 18, 2018

    How many of you out there have a paternal grandfather with the last name of MULDOON. Well I do. I have confirmed that his father was Denis Muldoon and siblings were Henry, Dennis and Mary. They all came over on the “Lady Franklin” into New York May 24, 1851 except their father who I think stayed behind in Northern Ireland.

    Henry, lived and died in Shenandoah, Schuylkill, Pennsylvania with his wife, Mary (Melton); William lived in Humboldt, Brown Co., Wisconsin before moving to Lennox, Turner, South Dakota with his wife, Martha Margaret (Little); Dennis lived and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with his wife Margaret . Mary (McAlier) lived in Brown Co., Wisconsin before moving to Parker, Turner Co., South Dakota with her husband Patrick McAlier.

  • Glynis Gillott

    January 18, 2018

    Hi. Where do I write my family mysteries. Is it here?

    • Jess

      January 24, 2018

      Hi Glynis, you can email your mystery to Thank you!

  • Glynis Gillott

    January 18, 2018

    There are many mysteries in my family. My great grandparents on my Dads side are meant to have come from Lithuania or Estonia (they have Russian Subject on their papers) and I can go no further back than when they arrived in England in the late 1800’s. There are lots of family stories that go around that my great grandfathers parents owned a mill and he had to leave in some political unrest.I can get no further with this one and have been pondering the mystery for about 25 years since I became interested in genealogy.
    Again on my fathers side there is an ancestor Hannah Lancaster and it was believed she came from an aristocratic family. One of the family members has done some research but he reckons not. I don’t know what to believe on this one as my great aunt (now deceased) remembers getting dressed up and going to a stately home called “The Grange” when she was a child to visit family.
    Also my Grandma on my mothers side has no father on her birth certificate and the name she gave me for her father (Michael Juvena ) doesn’t seem to exist.
    So many unsolved mysteries in one family!

  • Susan Nicholson

    January 18, 2018

    Hi, I am a profoundly deaf mother with two deaf adult children. I am very curious why that I am deaf and the same for my kids. I believe that my great grandfather (my mum’s mother’s father) was born in Sri Lanka and before that, my great grandfather’s mother was Portugese. I believe that many of them in Sri Lanka moved to USA to live. I would love to search more on my great grandfather’s side and also my grandfather’s side all from Scotland and apparently there has been some royalty members.

    My father’s family are from Scotland and Ireland. I would love to find out more about family members and are there any deaf members in the past?

    Thanks
    Susan Nicholson

  • Erika cook

    January 18, 2018

    Would like to look for family that I have never met

  • Dodie Bradley

    January 18, 2018

    My great uncle Drew Watkins shot J. Caprion on Dec 23/24 1910 at Matagorda TX. Then Drew was shot and killed by A.F. Carlson on Dec 26 There was a trial but I can’t locate any mention of it nor can I find the obitiuary for Drew Watkins or J. Caprion. Any help would be appreciated. I have found this incident mentioned in The El Paso Herald, Ed 1 Dec 24, 1910 and The Daily Express, San Antonio TX Vol 45, No 361, Ed1, December 27,1910

  • Marcel Dillon

    January 19, 2018

    Our grandfather George William Dillon, was adopted at birth by the McQuillam and McKinnon who were good friends of William his dad.. At the time he wanted to get married his adoptive parents had to tell him because George needed his real dad approval to get married. He did learn some information about his 4 half brothers who never had any kids. He was born in Toronto. When growing up he was told his mom had passed away. I learned later that Maud Elizabeth Haldenby only passed away in 1969 in Lucknow Ontario. Since George did not have much information about the Dillon lineage I had to do lots of searching, I found his grandfather William and John his great-grandfather, John and his brother David Dillon. I spent many years to try and connect with our Dillon lineage in Ireland, but I am to a point where I need help. I am searching Ireland since I was told that we were Irish. If anyone could assist our Dillon family from Ontario, Canada we would really appreciate it.

  • Patricia Anderson Pruitt

    January 19, 2018

    Rasmus Martin Aamundsen, Amundsen, Amunson, Ammunson, Amunson or whatever? He is my paternal grgrandfather from Norway b.1832 Bergen, emigrated to America about age 21. Research shows him in Illinois. Married 1856 to my grgrandmother Hannah Andrea Johannasdtr. Two children, Dorothea Aletta (my grmother) & Albert M. born in Rock Island, Illinois. This is the point where family history indicates Rasmus Martin dies 1861…no details given anywhere and no descendants today claim to know anything. Because Martin (he used his second name) was so young, I wanted to know why. I traveled to Salt Lake City to check their history records. There was indisputable proof that Martin had, in fact, enlisted with Scandinavian Volunteers to join the Union Army in 1861. Continuing military records would follow him throughout the war showing him mustering out in 1865 as an invalid. Probate records from Iowa County, Iowa show that he died in Illinois abt 1966. His wife Hannah remarried in 1866 to Henry Halvorson. Halvorson would adopt the two infant children. He was also the one filing the probate records and he and Hannah would have other children by this marriage…Clara, Gena & Julius.
    Whatever became of Martin…it is as if he never existed? No death notice, no cause given for his invalid status, no burial, funeral location. No one else seems to be researching him or cares?

  • Wayne Vickress

    January 19, 2018

    After years of searching i still can’t find the birth record of my 5 times great grandfather James Vickress in London, England about 1785-1795. I have his death, marriage, 1841 and 1851 census records. So my family research is stalled. The name Vickress disappears, so perhaps it was Vickers. I traced several of Vickers but no match.

  • Lucretia Caprara

    January 20, 2018

    would like to know more about both sides of my family

  • Robert Read

    January 21, 2018

    Family mystery/brick wall. Great Grandfather Charles Read died in Orange NSW, Australia 28/03/1918. No birth certificate/baptism record can be found (yet) in Australian records. No known parents. He married Ann Daly/Daily (nee Doran) at Coonamble NSW 1868. They had 6 children – Jane born at Cassilis NSW, 1869; Charles born at Coonamble 1871; Mary born at Orange 1873; John born at Orange NSW 1878; Michael born at Orange NSW 1882 and Anne born at Orange NSW 1886. On the children’s birth registrations Charles has variously put his place of birth as redfern (Sydney) or Windsor NSW and his age varies. He was illiterate so that could account for the age variations.It was commonplace for convicts to change their names to obliterate their past, when they became free settlers. He could have been born in Australia, could have come as a free settler from England or Ireland or could have come as a convict from either of those two countries. If anyone has any information on this particular Charles Read or any suggestions as to how I might continue our research, I will be most grateful

  • Laurie Maney

    January 21, 2018

    My Grandmother, Anne Ulrich was born in Austria in 1889 and grew up in Vienna. She immigrated to America and married Robert Sinn who was from outside of Stutgard, Gramany. They had 2 children, my father John and Mary. Both were born and raised in Cudahy, Wisconsin. Grandpa died in 1959 and Grandma in 1976.
    I have been unable to find very much information about them from Europe. I do know that Grandma was a private cook for a wealthy family. We also know she traveled around Europe because we have her passport.
    Any information would be greatly appreciated.

  • Pamela Bird

    January 21, 2018

    I would love to find out who my great-grandfather was. My grandfather Charles Arthur has the surname Kirby-Ward on his birth certificate however on doing a family search I found that my grandmother Elizabeth Tyler never married Mr Ward until 18 years after the birth of my grandfather. My brother managed to track down a distance relative who told him that Elizabeth had been banished from the village Dinerdor because she was pregnant a on the census I found her in Nottingham where she met Mr Ward. I feel we were given the wrong surname but have no proof as all are deceased including my father who suspected there was a mystery in the family. He was told his grandfather was of Spanish decent hence the dark features and back hair of his father who’s nickname was ‘darky’. My father was told his grandfather was illegitimate. I do hope you could help solve this family mystery after so many years of searching so we can all get peace on this.

  • Rebecca Adcock

    January 22, 2018

    I can not find any information about my dad’s, dad’s grandfather. I can find in the 1880 census, Mary Shuttlesworth, widow, and John W. Shuttlesworth, my dad’s grandfather. I can’t find Mary’s husband or her maiden name. I know the civil war was a few years earlier, I just would like to know how it affected that side of my family.

  • Suzanne Owen

    January 22, 2018

    My step grandfather (1885-1969) and his family have been searching for records linking his mother, Abigail Hart Eby to John Hart of New Jersey, signer of the Declaration of Independence. Abigail’s father, Daniel Hart, died in the Civil War. Her obituary states that she is linked to John Hart, but no one can find a connection. If there is one, perhaps it is through a sibling or uncle of John Hart. We have pension records for Daniel but seem to be missing a generation or two before him. At any rate, after searching for more than 50 years, it would be great to settle the matter.

  • Gail Ross

    January 22, 2018

    We (as a family) have a problem finding out any information regarding my paternal Great Grandfather Richard Carlos Carl Thornton. He was supposedly born 1862 in Calcutta. He died on 18 July 1957 in Christchurch New Zealand. His burial plot # is 132. Block 37A Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch, New Zealand.

    There was talk that he was the bastard child of King Carlos of Spain but that has never been confirmed. Someone else said they wondered if he was adopted. It’s frustrating not being able to find any information regarding his mother and father etc.

    If someone was interested in finding out more information the family would really appreciate it.

    kind regards
    Gail Ross
    Wanganui, New Zealand

  • Aaron Scott

    January 23, 2018

    I would greatly appreciate some help trying to locate or find out who my father is. In fact, I did the original DNA test with My Heritage for the very same reason thinking that it could possibly open some doors into how to find him. He is from Spain I know this much, and he worked on a commercial ship called el Romeral during the 1980’s. Unfortunately, during the financial crises, the company went into bankruptcy and the boat was kept in Shoreham-By-Sea harbour in the UK until the company could resolve something for the crew members to return. My father Jose Silva Blanco met my mother during this time and when it was time for him to go back gave all his details to my mother to keep, but due to unforeseen circumstances they were lost, and I was born in 1981. I know my father has a brother called Anthony Silva Blanco who also worked on the ship, but this is about all the information I have. I hope to hear from My Heritage regarding any help.

  • Michelle Gail Sandler

    January 23, 2018

    Looking for the date and places of death for Lazarus or Lazer Marks and his wife Leah Marks Kreinzohn. Lived in New York City from 1866 or 1867 or 1868 through 1890. No trace of them after that. Their son Harris Marks my mothers paternal grandfather stayed in Brooklyn all his adult life. Harris was born in Manhattan in 1868. I do not know where in Europe Lazer and Leah came from. I have been working on this for 34 years.

  • Mike LEDITSCHKE

    January 25, 2018

    Hi My Heritage team,

    I have two challenges/unsolved mysteries related to my site – leditschke,morriss,johnson,nicolai2. Although I have been wiling away at my information for a few years now, I am no closer to finding the answers – maybe I have hit the “Brick Wall”?

    a) I believe the Leditschke (Germanic/Prussian derivation) family moved from the Ukraine/Slavic regions to Lower Silesia (Posen district) in the early 1700s and exchanged titles for land. I discovered that there was a Leditskie (Leditsky) Russian noble family crest from the early 1600’s – (Stepan Andreevson Leditsky 1618/19). However, records from that time appear to be scarce (or yet to be discovered), so my discovery journey is currently halted.

    b) My wife and I arranged a MyHeritage DNA test which resulted in a “curve ball” for me, in that around 43% of my DNA was Iberian – in my almost 2500 people so far there is no evidence of this link. Admittedly, I have only gone back to the early 1700s for my ancestors, and have stalled here.

    So a couple of challengers that would allow me to progress if I had some answers?

    Cheers, Mike Leditschke

  • Marion Schiellack Myers

    January 25, 2018

    My mother Florence Elizabeth Jolley and her sister Winifred Sheila Jolley were dropped off at Children’s Refuge, Bellevue, Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland, 22nd June 1931. Florence and Sheila were 7 and 3 years old. their parents John Jolley and Mary Quinn/Byrne/Turner. apparently were not married, at least we have never found any marriage. Lived at 22 Abercorn Street, Glasgow and were members of St. Joseph’s church. Florence was born 21 Jan 1923 at 32 Dundrennan Rd, Glasgow, Scotland. Sheila was born 24 February 1928, at 13 Neville Road, Waterloo, Waterloo with Scaforth, registration district of West Derby, Sub district of Crosby, County of Lancaster, England. they never say their parents again. My mom and aunt are both deceased, I am 75 and have been searching since I was about 15 . I have found hundreds of ancesters and descendents, but I keep praying that I will find these grandparents before I die. My mom always said Mary Quinn/Byrne was Irish and John Jolley was English. Please help me. Thank you.

  • Anette Dale Randazzo

    January 26, 2018

    My Norwegian Great Aunt on my fathers side had researched the family tree and given out copies of her findings to family members in 1980. In her research she stated that we are related to George Washington, but there is no lineage to prove that. That has been the ‘joke’ around family gatherings and I would love to solve the mystery of how we are related to the 1st President of the United States!
    Thanx,
    Anette

  • JUDITH HEAGNEY

    January 27, 2018

    My grandfather, Maximillian Charles Henne -born in Mous

  • Jeanne Marie Gravely Waggoner

    January 29, 2018

    I became serious on doing roots in the early 1980’s. I now have several thousands of names with place and date of birthday and death and where they lived. The Gravelys go all way back to the Doom’s day book in England ( and the estate of Gravely north of London. They were from Normandy. The Brannons came from Brannon in France. The McKelveys were part of the Campbells of Scotland. I found this out when in Scotland but could not trace them beyond arrival in Charleston. I would like to know the route traveled from Virginia to North Carolina by the Graveleys in the 1700. My husband, my son , Wife and 2 daughters did our DNA over the new year and some of the results were puzzling. I shared these DNA results on Facebook.

  • Kaye Brown

    February 4, 2018

    My Grandfather – Charles Ernest Dalton – moved to New Zealand in 1925 from Australia. In 1929 he married Thelma Low. The only information that I have regarding his origins is that which he has stated on his wedding certificate. Charles was born in January 1900, in Sydney Australia and his parents were Charles William Dalton (occupation Butcher) and Mary Ethel (nee Strong). Unfortunately, I can find no record of either his birth or evidence that his parents lived in Sydney or NSW. I remember a story about why he moved to NZ but I can’t remember from whom – that he inherited about 2000 pound back in 1920 and he blew it on gambling, wine and women and was therefore disowned by his family. It is also believed that his father owned a butcher shop or maybe even a chain of butcher shops. He always said that he was an only child but upon his death Thelma’s sister said that he had a sister. When my great aunt was asked by my father’s sister what grandad did to make him come to NZ, my great aunt said “you don’t want to know” and wouldn’t tell her. Unfortunately, both my grandmother and her sister have since passed. I have even got my father to do a DNA test through MyHeriage to see if we can trace someone that way but so far the matches have been so distant that there is no way research them. I am convinced that my grandfather changed his name when he moved to New Zealand. I am at a loss now how to proceed further.

  • Diane Driban

    February 7, 2018

    It has been my husband’s family lore that they are related to Sam Dreben, a soldier of fortune fighting with and also against Emiliano Zapata and who was immortalized in Damon Runyon’s poem, “The Fighting Jew.” There are many different spellings of our last name and it is believed that most of us are somehow related. I cannot find the uncle, cousin or great-grandparent to connect my husband Michael Driban to Sam Dreben. If you can help us break down this wall, we would be very grateful.

  • Sarah Battelle

    February 8, 2018

    George Lawrence was born in Othery, Somerset, England and married Martha Mead in 1870 in Bridgewater, England. They had 6 children (John, Thomas, Charles, George, Martha and Albert) and lived in Othery before emigrating to the US in 1880 through New York and settling in Sangamon County, Illinois in 1880. Sadly George and Martha both died within 2 days of each other from Trichinosis poisoning in 1881 leaving their children orphans with little knowledge of their parents histories. I have been unable to find George’s parents in England through parish records. I am looking for someone that can crack this mystery and add to the Lawrence tree.

  • Terri Donald

    February 13, 2018

    Our family mystery. . . my husband’s grandfather changed his surname when he came to the US. My husband’s dad tried to research but had only a last name of Tomlevick, not even sure of the spelling. Don’t even know how to proceed.

  • John M. Roberts

    May 7, 2018

    Interesting story from your family it is very mysterious, thank you for sharing this great blog. I learned and inspired. Great job!

  • Angelic Lolite Wadkins

    September 14, 2018

    I am at a complete lose of what to do. My whole life I’ve always wondered where I came from and part of it still remains a mystery for me. I can’t find out much of my dads side because all i have are his parents names and the spelling changes from Wadkins to Watkins so much that i don’t know whats right and whats wrong then on my grandmothers moms side I cant find who my my fourth great grandfather is so I’m stuck. I fell lost with know idea who I am or where I come from any help would be greatly appriciated

  • Anne Linn

    September 29, 2018

    There have been questions around the parentage of my paternal grandmother who was raised by “Aunt Blanche Dunlap”.
    Her mother supposedly died when she was young and her father, Alonzo Aloyisus Reed, was rumored to be an alcoholic who had lived in Pittsburgh, PA.
    My grandmother’s name was Ethyl Reed and lived in Parker’s Landing, PA. Her birthday was 1887. She married Karl Alexander Robinson (1884) and they had one son, Robert Edwin Robinson (1911).

  • Julavene case

    January 27, 2019

    This my great grandpa he was born in Kentucky his name is Andrew Andy Hughes he married Louise Harvey in pike county kentucky then married patience Yates they had Harlan Hughes Berlin vestie orvil lived in magoffin county kentucky a lot some move to Michigan but can’t find when Andrew died where he was berried nothing but it was in Kentucky

  • Greg Manns

    February 15, 2019

    My great, great grandfather was rumored to have taken on a new name back in the 1800s after murdering a man. The law advised to him to change his name and move to another state and they wouldn’t come after him, apparently understanding that whatever caused it to be warranted.
    He may have gone by Billy Stanley before moving from Kentucky to West Virginia as John Manns, now son of William Manns. He was born 25 AUG 1853, but not sure if that is true. I’ve searched for William Stanley, but figure it’s probably more fruitful to search for the event/murder. I found his name as John Manns in the 1870 census in WV as a workson in William Manns household.

  • Rebecca

    April 2, 2019

    I am trying to find my mother’s biological father. Her mother, Gladys Hutchins, had his name scratched out of all birth and baptism documents. No one ever talked about him. I’m sure he is dead now. My mother Barbara Rudolph LaBranche was born Edna Vivian Ward! In order to get a passport, she had to have a living relative who was alive at her birth vouch for her. This is crazy! My family is so mixed up – I just want to know the truth. There were 3 children from Gladys and William: William, Juanita, and Barbara (Edna). They lived in Niagara Falls, New York, but my mother was born in Biloxi Mississippi.Can you help or steer me to someone who can?

  • Dona Lorine Kimmons

    June 16, 2019

    I am trying to solve a mystery on MyHeritage involving a DNA match to me on MyHeritage of Dona Lorine Floyd Kimmons and Karen White Rogers. I can’t find her anywhere. The man who contacted me is from Germany. We both are related to Sir William Browne (Brown), b. 1559, Bruton, Somerset, England, d. August 10, 1610, Vissingen, Flushing, Zeeland, Netherlands, who is also in my Williams tree, my Brown and Floyd trees, related to the FitzAlans and Audleys, James Williams, Morgan Williams and my Floyd/Brown/Cannon trees are all related to Royalty. He also claims to be related to King Henry VIII, which I am too. He tried to find a Lord Samuel Fisher and a Duke Alois Fuchs, and Karen White Rogers is DNA matched to me on MyHeitage, but I can’t find her anywhere. Can you help solve this mystery?
    Dona Floyd Kimmons

  • sandra quarton charney

    September 20, 2019

    i think a relative engurrand quarton painted a mural and it hangs in a church, donated by the harkers, st. clitheroe

  • William Timothy walker j.r

    November 2, 2020

    My family for the past decades have been working on proving the ran the Empire State Building in New York is considered hours we had a genealogist it was my great-aunt she was so close to proving the land the Empire State Building on was ours and deed before she passed away everyone else is so busy doing your normal life Sim work and they have no chance or time to look into this I know 100% this is an accurate in true story please help me in any way you can. Now I would have to check but I do believe this was on my mother’s side of the family