MyHeritage Gave Me a Piece of My Brother Back: The Son He’d Never Known

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been the family historian — the one piecing together our roots, tracing our lineage, and keeping the stories of those who came before us alive. My maternal grandmother’s past always intrigued me. She was born in England and brought to America by her father when she was a young girl. We don’t know who her mother was, and I’m still trying to solve that mystery. I also longed to learn more about my father’s paternal side, particularly my great-grandfather, Sam Goodman. Despite years of searching through various family history platforms, I found little information.

Cathy Goodman

Everything changed in the summer of 2023 when I decided to try MyHeritage. I bought DNA kits for both my mother and myself, hoping for new leads but never expecting a life-changing discovery.

A DNA match that changed everything

My late brother, James, had passed away in 2021 after battling cancer. He lived a hard life as a chef in New York and Texas. He never married, never had children — we thought he left nothing behind.

Cathy with her brother James

MyHeritage proved otherwise.

When my DNA results from MyHeritage came in, I discovered to my complete shock that I had a nephew I never knew existed. His name is Michael and he’s now 37. He had grown up in Texas with his mother and two half-siblings from different fathers. He had no idea about his roots. His mother never shared much, and his father was a complete mystery.

Michael’s life had been one of resilience and independence. He left home at a young age, moved in with his high school sweetheart’s family, and later joined the military, serving two tours in Afghanistan. After retiring, he built a successful career as a military consultant for the Department of Defense. He’s incredibly smart, just like my brother and my dad. It’s amazing how these traits carry through.

In 2017, Michael took a MyHeritage DNA test. His ethnicity results revealed that he was half-Jewish — an interesting surprise for someone raised in a predominantly Catholic environment. At first, he received only distant DNA matches. When my results came through and I appeared as a close match, he was hesitant at first, uncertain about what it all meant. But as I shared family photos with him, he grew more open to the connection. When I saw his pictures, I could see my brother in him. DNA doesn’t lie.

Michael (left) with Cathy’s son

Over time, our bond deepened, and the most emotional moment came when Michael had the chance to meet his grandmother — my mother — shortly before she passed away. She got to meet her grandson, a piece of her son, before she died. It was the most meaningful thing for me.

More than just research: family restored

Reflecting on this journey, I’m in awe of what MyHeritage made possible. I started this search hoping to uncover my grandmother’s story and more about my dad’s family. I never dreamed I’d find a nephew. MyHeritage gave me a piece of my brother back and gave Michael the history he never knew. It’s not just about research — it’s about connection and preserving our family’s legacy.

Many thanks to Cathy Goodman for sharing her incredible story with us. If you have also made an incredible discovery with MyHeritage, we’d love to hear about it! Please send it to us via this form or email it to us at stories@myheritage.com.