DNA Quest Beneficiary Discovers She Descends from World-Renowned Meteorologist

For many participants in DNA Quest — our initiative to provide adoptees with free DNA kits to help them search for their biological families — taking a DNA test has given them a priceless, once-in-a-lifetime gift.

For some, it’s a gift that just keeps giving.

Cindy Murray received a MyHeritage DNA kit through DNA Quest, and not only did it lead her to her biological family, but it also led to the discovery that she is a direct descendant of world-renowned meteorologist Clement Lindley Wragge — one of the pioneers of modern weather forecasting.

Clement Wragge, John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland, 1901

“I was adopted as a baby, and as such, I knew nothing of my biological heritage,” Cindy told us. “I cannot thank DNA Quest enough for the opportunity this test gave me.”

Cindy’s great-great-grandfather, Clement Lindley Wragge, was born in Worcestershire, England in 1852. He was initially trained in law, but later turned to meteorology, where he is best known for winning the Scottish Meteorological Society’s Gold Medal and initiating the modern cyclone naming system. He became an expert in predicting weather patterns, particularly in Australia, India, and the Pacific Islands.

Clement Lindley Wragge on a bridge over a rivulet in Tahiti

“This is a huge surprise to me as I had no idea who he was, but after researching him, I’ve found out that he was a true pioneer of modern-day weather forecasting,” Cindy told us.

Cindy also learned that she has a connection to a well-known firm of solicitors, a Lord Mayor of Kings Lynn in Norfolk, England, and a family of philanthropists whose ancestral home still stands in Ilford, Essex, England. She also found that some of her ancestors served in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War II — including Clement Lindley Wragge’s son (Cindy’s great-uncle), Clement Lionel Wragge, a decorated war hero who unfortunately fell in battle at Gallipoli. “It has made me extremely proud,” she says.

Clement Lindley Wragge at the Governor’s Retreat in the Upper Fautaua Gorge

Thanks to DNA Quest, Cindy went from being an adoptee with unknown origins to a member of a large family with an illustrious historical background.

“Finding out about so many amazing ancestors as well as such a huge existing family has meant so much to me,” says Cindy.

Cindy Murray

Cindy hasn’t met her biological family members yet, because they live on opposite sides of the world. “But I have spoken to them, and found out many things about our ancestors,” she says. “I would love to meet them one day.”