After finding lost siblings, An update on my Ancestry DNA and some new family members met!

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  • Опубликовано: 3 июн 2024
  • 7 years ago I signed up for ancestry to learn about my roots… and discovered so much more. Now an update and some new family met!
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Комментарии • 451

  • @lorikendrick5076
    @lorikendrick5076 Месяц назад +99

    I feel just like you. I love having new people in my life. I would have wanted to let everyone know I had a new family member.
    This was a very good video.

    • @lyndaf.6329
      @lyndaf.6329 10 дней назад +3

      But she’s not a new family member, she’s estranged from her mother because of many things that have occurred in the past which his niece and sister are going to address on her channel. I’m happy for Alex that he’s met her but he should have kept this to himself and considered the feelings of others who are involved.

    • @finleysmom6390
      @finleysmom6390 9 дней назад

      My father & sister are infuriated w/me because i found out that my father has another daughter who they don’t want to do anything about. I am so sad & shocked that they are reacting so selfishly. It has mad me so sad. Great video!

  • @PosiCat
    @PosiCat Месяц назад +233

    I was adopted, so I did 23andMe back in 2015, in 2021 I received a message from a half-sister. Turns out that our biological mother had passed away years ago, and she, and 2 other sisters, had been wondering/looking for me since then. They flew up to meet me within a week, including 2 nieces and a nephew ... and it's been positive since then, the who group of them have turned out to be awesome people that I'm so happy to be related to. I almost cried the first time I was called uncle, something I never expected when I thought I was an only child. Now I'm the oldest of four. It's definitely a life changing adventure.

    • @lisavanderlinden777
      @lisavanderlinden777 29 дней назад +4

      Family is prescious ,congrats and enjoy them while you can ❤

  • @justnerdystuff
    @justnerdystuff Месяц назад +127

    7 years ago!!!! It seems like I've been watching your channel for only a couple of years. But the Potters house is where I first joined your channel. My, how time flies.

    • @janielow8719
      @janielow8719 29 дней назад +11

      That's exactly what I thought, 7 years !!! I've been watching for a bit longer ,but it just doesn't seem that long 😅

    • @BB-od4he
      @BB-od4he 28 дней назад +10

      I came to say the same. Haven't those years flown!

    • @traceyhuntstreasure2890
      @traceyhuntstreasure2890 28 дней назад +10

      I was shocked too, the potters house doesn't feel that long ago. Turns out i have been addicted to youtube for longer than I thought.

    • @ameliainva
      @ameliainva 28 дней назад +4

      Lockdown had me find the channel with the piano teacher's house.

    • @sunnygirl87
      @sunnygirl87 28 дней назад +5

      Me too! Seven years? We've appreciated this guy that long? What a ride?

  • @KathYoder5256
    @KathYoder5256 29 дней назад +78

    My husband's Amish Dad had a daughter we never knew about from his youth. Before he passed, he finally told us about her. We found her 3 weeks after he passed away 8 years ago. She looks more like Dad than the other 7 siblings! We live in northern Indiana and she lives in Tennessee. She is here visiting right now and we can't imagine life without her. She is such a blessing! ❤ Family is so important!

  • @virginia7191
    @virginia7191 Месяц назад +130

    Even families that grow up together are “complicated “.

  • @Moolarkey
    @Moolarkey Месяц назад +58

    One of my mom's best friends knew she and her twin sister were adopted as toddlers. In her 60s she decided to see if there were other siblings, she thought there were. Every time I talked to my mom, her friend had found another sibling. 12 kids in all. The parents had kept and raised the older 6 but had put the younger 6, as they were born, up for adoption. 11 lived within 30 miles of each other. 1 lived in another state. The older 6 were old enough to remember their parents taking the younger children to the orphanage and leaving them for adoption. Since then most, including my mom's friend, have passed away but for 10-15 years, they got together regularly at one home or another.

  • @karenroberton3290
    @karenroberton3290 28 дней назад +22

    I think sharing this on U-Tube helps others who find this type of dynamic. They are not alone.

  • @betsywhitehead5817
    @betsywhitehead5817 Месяц назад +36

    Can’t believe it’s been 7 years!! Time has flown since the potter’s house!! Still quality content, Alex!! ❤

  • @joanhale2420
    @joanhale2420 Месяц назад +66

    My husband just found out he has a 53 year old daughter. She is a lovely woman, as well as her family. They have a wonderful relationship, and she has the Dad she never had as a child growing up. The man who raised her thought she was his daughter, and when he found out he wasn't he left. They never told her he wasn't her dad, but she never felt connected to him. I'm happy for my husband and what a great thing Ancestry is as otherwise they would have never found each other.

    • @loismarch8343
      @loismarch8343 29 дней назад +6

      I have 4 half siblings. I had 2 full sisters but both have past. I also have a daughter that is 6 months older than my youngest half brother so yes, I get that funny feeling like you say when you think of how odd it is.

  • @amybarb25
    @amybarb25 28 дней назад +36

    I was adopted and also discovered my bio dad was a very famous jazz guitarist during the swing era. Seems musicians were just as wild back in the day. I had 1 brother and 1 sister (so far). They are both gone now. I was the baby born in 1960. My father was born in Sicily in 1906! So I have a feeling more siblings might pop up. I never in my wildest dreams thought my father would be a musician. I eat and breath music since I was small. And being Italian? Never even considered it. I was adopted by a Jewish family and knew my bio mom was a German war bride. So assumed my father was at least half German but noooo. So proud to be more than 50 per cent Sicilian. I’m so blessed to be able to see videos of my father performing on RUclips . And there’s plenty of newspaper articles about him and interviews. I feel like a real person with a blood family! I’m sure your feelings aren’t like those of an adopted child, but it’s still cool.mCongrats on your new found family member. I remember when you met your sister.

  • @brittbrittingham9871
    @brittbrittingham9871 Месяц назад +43

    7 years ? WOW I been watching for longer than I thought .

    • @beverlyw56
      @beverlyw56 Месяц назад +6

      I started watching in 2020, and thought that was the year he found Heather.

    • @suseyq4559
      @suseyq4559 Месяц назад +5

      I started watching prior to the Potter series. I’m with you….I didn’t realize how long I’d been watching either.

  • @imlistening1949
    @imlistening1949 Месяц назад +47

    My mate did the DNA test - his dad was a US diplomate after WW2. Found siblings in Vienna, Norway, US and Peru, when the DNA was done dad, and moms were deceased. The only two that had issues were the US brothers, although they are good friends now. Two old alpha dogs, perhaps. Everyone keeps in touch through Facebook, have met one of the Norwegian sisters and US brother. I feel it all depends on your age group when you reach out to a newfound sibling. These people are in their 70's and 60"s, perhaps shock factor lessens with age.

  • @acadia1899
    @acadia1899 Месяц назад +29

    Thanks Alex. After listening to you I have to rethink my relationship with my sister and her family. Now in our 70s & 80s time is running out.

    • @CuriosityIncorporated
      @CuriosityIncorporated  Месяц назад +8

      Small steps may be the most rewarding

    • @patriciagordon2
      @patriciagordon2 25 дней назад +1

      I think similarly, but then I think why haven't they reached out to me? I feel too much time has passed. Your thoughts?

  • @traceyhuntstreasure2890
    @traceyhuntstreasure2890 28 дней назад +16

    I have the ancestry dna box in front of me. My daughter got it for me for christmas but I have been too nervous to do it. I know I have an older half brother out there somewhere. I'm going to do this test today. Thanks Alex for giving me the confidence to go ahead. I hope I find him.

    • @rossmacintosh5652
      @rossmacintosh5652 4 дня назад +1

      Good luck! My test let me know 1,053 'DNA Relatives' are out there among the people in their database. One was a first cousin nobody in my family knew about. I also learned I have more Neanderthal dna than 97% of 23andMe customers. My wife said "that explains a lot!"

  • @mandyholverson7700
    @mandyholverson7700 Месяц назад +105

    Hi Alex, I also had a very charming Dad and around the time you found your sibling, I found a sister too! Anything you did is not responsible for your sister's family's feelings. We had a similar situation with my sister. You did not cause the uproar, honestly the Mom did. years ago, with HER choices. Many people are surprised and mad that their indiscretions are coming out because of Ancestry. I agree though that was all a long time ago and had nothing to with you or your sister! Glad you found your siblings. You are such a kind soul and I hope none if this weighs on your heart any more!!

  • @denisesmith9150
    @denisesmith9150 Месяц назад +62

    Thanks to you I was brave enough to contact my siblings I discovered on Ancestry as well. We have met and are now getting acquainted with one another. 2 sisters, 1 brother.

  • @emummy2
    @emummy2 Месяц назад +51

    I am my family's genealogy caretaker. You are spot on- it can be incredibly hard for some folks to accept the "misdeeds" of our ancestors. We have had nothing but happiness and joy in meeting not one but two new family members (and families) I know not everyone has that experience. I always say that the people who generated these situations in my family are gone and that allows us to welcome our new family without some of the hard dynamics that can be a part of those situations. I believe your ability to share this journey on RUclips will allow people you will never meet to handle this situation in their own lives in the best way possible for a happy outcome. It is always my hope that family members don't wait until its too late to at least try to heal wounded relationship-even if that means setting boundaries- when its too late, its too late. Its so hard to live with regrets and what if's. IMHO. I can see this is weighing heavily on you. Praying for resolution.

  • @chrisberry9017
    @chrisberry9017 Месяц назад +43

    I am so pleased that you have been able to meet up with Nicole and her family, and here’s to an inclusive future. My Father caused a huge rift between my half sister and I, and it wasn’t until after his death, and twenty years since we”d last been in touch, that we finally made contact again. It was awkward and stilted at first, but she became the other half of my life, and I’d be very much the poorer for not having her in my life. I’m just so thankful that the bridges were built, and that I now have an extended family with my nieces and their families. We’re not on this earth for that long, we need to make the best of the time, and people are very important. Sending very best wishes to you all from the UK.

  • @loismarch8343
    @loismarch8343 29 дней назад +39

    The strange thing is that the people who are really not directly involved in it are the ones that cause the most problems. Your aunt is treating you as if it was your fault but it wasn’t. You are not responsible for what your father did. How you accept them and they accept you are the only issue and sounds like that hasn’t been a problem.

    • @lyndaf.6329
      @lyndaf.6329 10 дней назад +3

      I don’t think his aunt has a problem with Alex finding unknown siblings, it’s more that he announced it on the internet before telling them or giving them time to process it.

    • @rossmacintosh5652
      @rossmacintosh5652 4 дня назад +1

      @@lyndaf.6329 You might be right. Perhaps not in this case but some people strongly feel having a child out of wedlock is very shameful. So shameful that to cope, they want the reality forgotten or at least hidden. They never want to process it. Some will refuse to accept or acknowledge the truth because it challenges their understanding of family. Thankfully there are others who will embrace such situations and accept their new-to-you relative as a true blessing.

  • @peggybegin8241
    @peggybegin8241 29 дней назад +23

    You are a very insightful, caring person. After my mom passed away, all my brother wanted was his inheritance. I reached out to him after 7 years and told him I loved him and apologized if I had in any way hurt him. Never heard from him again. Two and a half years later he passed away. I'm thankful I spoke to him. I pray you all get that family dinner.

  • @HandbagDiva
    @HandbagDiva 28 дней назад +26

    I got my son the 23&me, he’s 27. He called me at 7:00am & said he has a half sister. I have 2 children, my son & 30 year old daughter. My ex husband has 2 other children from his second marriage. My son came to visit & broke the news to his father who was in shock. He fathered this child when he was 18 & never knew. It’s crazy the family these sites have brought together.

  • @AZ-gz4cf
    @AZ-gz4cf 28 дней назад +22

    Congratulations. I was adopted and found seven new siblings. I was able to trace my ancestry to pre Revolutionary war in the US

  • @celieneohara521
    @celieneohara521 Месяц назад +69

    Been there. I was adopted. Searched and found. Mixed results, comings and goings. Don't take on the burden to sew the quilt together. Call it a crazy quilt and be happy with that. I'm a little older than you, so I can say that the chips will fall where they will. Don't wish for too much. I also have no full siblings. I have 5 half siblings, and one adopted one. My birth mother had 4 kids with 3 people. My birth father had two other children. He was in the Navy, he may have had more. I get it, Alex. I could write a book between all the birth family, adopted family drama! Just stick with those that want to be in your life. Therapy helps.

    • @FormerMPSGT
      @FormerMPSGT 29 дней назад +3

      Great advice: STICK WITH THOSE EHO WANT TO BE WITH YOU!

    • @petemoss1951
      @petemoss1951 29 дней назад +2

      You are blessed to have the people in your life that want to be. ❤️

  • @bethf4808
    @bethf4808 28 дней назад +14

    I’m adopted and I love my family. Five years ago I found my bio family and now close to them too. Funny how they feel they missed out but I don’t feel that. I grew up with three brothers so for the first time in life, I’m 61, I had dinner with my 2 sisters and it was a blast. Wow what a dynamic. It was one of the best dinners ever! I wish you the best and I pray it all works out.

  • @canyondiva493
    @canyondiva493 Месяц назад +16

    Ancestry is fun! As more people are tested, my results continue to be refined. Plus, I keep getting notifications about more cousins all over the US and a few in other countries. Recently I got a notification that I had a very famous relative…turns out I have a somewhat distant cousin who is none other than The King himself, Elvis Presley. How cool is that!

  • @sheylarives9601
    @sheylarives9601 28 дней назад +15

    Congratulations on finding your family - don’t allow anyone or anything stop you from finding family and answers

  • @CherriesJubilee
    @CherriesJubilee 29 дней назад +13

    I wish you and your family all the best Alex. Choices were made long before you came along. Thanks for taking us on this journey with you.

  • @donab1369
    @donab1369 Месяц назад +54

    I've never understood people getting angry about things which happened before they were born or too young to have any influence. What I do know is love can be divided and it then multiplies . Once you find out you have an "extra" sibling just be open and welcoming. Children have NOTHING to do with their parent's decisions. Love is a dish best shared.

  • @Objective-Observer
    @Objective-Observer Месяц назад +24

    Alex, you are so blessed to have stable, emotionally sound, loving, and compassionate people.
    My family is the complete opposite. I rejoiced when some people in my life, left this earth, because that meant they wouldn't be emotionally abusing me anymore. The hurt and damage happened daily. There is no moving on from some singular hurt years ago, the hurt is on going.
    I want you to feel blessed, that everyone you meet is a reflection of you. I feel blessed that there are folks out there who make the world better.

    • @violahamilton782
      @violahamilton782 28 дней назад +1

      That was painful to read, but your last sentence made me feel really good about you! Hugs and happy prayers fro you.

  • @beverlymorton8332
    @beverlymorton8332 Месяц назад +18

    Hugs. I too discovered Ancestry suprises. It unfortunately didn't go over well in my family. But it's always good to know.

  • @lexiepsy
    @lexiepsy Месяц назад +16

    I also found a 1/2 brother through 23 and me , it’s been such a blessing! 🥰

  • @shirleycoles3652
    @shirleycoles3652 Месяц назад +33

    You stopped singing, after your dad in law passed. Would love to hear you sing again,

  • @glendanorman781
    @glendanorman781 28 дней назад +15

    My mom found out about a brother she didn't know she even had (she was raised with 2 brothers). The unknown brother knew about her all his life though! She was thrilled! They met when she was in her 70's! I was raised with half siblings, step siblings all my life, so it was not a weird thing to have!

  • @gerijudy5232
    @gerijudy5232 Месяц назад +17

    I really enjoyed the update on the siblings...can't wait to hear more. I love the respect you show for all involved. Continued blessings to you and the whole family.Thank you for sharing...I'm happy that I stumbled on your channel many years agoo.

  • @margaretchiotti
    @margaretchiotti Месяц назад +26

    It's your Aunt's loss. Hope she comes around. God bless you.

  • @margaretlynch1494
    @margaretlynch1494 Месяц назад +14

    🙋‍♀️❤️. Carrying a grudge is a burden. Forgiveness is a gift . There's a book called, Dont Sweat the Small Stuff..and It's All Small Stuff...The title alone is a huge lesson.
    BTW! I have a Wonder Surprise Brother!

  • @enviouscanadian5387
    @enviouscanadian5387 29 дней назад +8

    This is quite timely. I have a daughter who lives in Bentonville, Arkansas. Or the immediate area. She works for the head quarters of Walmart. I live in Windsor, Ontario and have followed you for many years. Of all the places that you visited in Arkansas, it was interesting to hear where you were. My daughter hasn’t talked to me for about 15 years. I have heard that she is married and has two daughters. Family is sooo complicated. This was an inspiration. Thank you.

  • @maddieadams75
    @maddieadams75 Месяц назад +23

    Wow I can’t believe it’s been this long since your discovery of siblings. I started following you back when you had 20k subscribers approximately 6 months before Don passed away. I found your channel due to my love for cars, you were always in the bush looking for vintage cars. Happy things are going well with your new family.
    My dad was a WWII veteran a medic stationed in England at a army hospital. I used to tease him about did we have possible siblings in England, he would chuckle and laugh it’s possible. So far us three siblings submitted our DNA to different ancestry sites and no additional siblings 😂 😂😂obviously we weren’t looking, our intent was to see if each site was similar with our ancestry. And yes they were extremely correct. No surprises.

  • @wenDesigner
    @wenDesigner Месяц назад +13

    Alex, I can see how pained you are about all of this. We can’t change the past or those who created us, but we can be gracious, kind and loving, which you have done. Times are different, we don’t need to keep “family secrets” or perceived shame. You be you, your grace will rub off. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain by learning about our past and families. How lovely to learn that you are a part of something wonderful. My sister is very involved in ancestry and is finding relatives all over the world. We love how small we are in this life. God bless! ❤

  • @dottiegyles1119
    @dottiegyles1119 Месяц назад +17

    Alex, it might take more time for reconciliation between your family members. Continue praying for them and loving them.

  • @terryelizabeth2841
    @terryelizabeth2841 Месяц назад +20

    It’s a generational shift;to my parents who were born in the 1920s a child out of wedlock was the most horrific thing : it was kept secret. That my mother had been married previously even though she was widowed was kept secret . There were lots of secrets at my high school. When people talk about the good old days they leave out that there was incest , rape and drug dealing going on, but it was all secret. It’s not talked about . Times have changed. I guess to the old style thinkers, the past generation it’s breaking a taboo.

  • @jamese.morris2891
    @jamese.morris2891 Месяц назад +13

    Dear sir.... You are not alone.. I to have had a similar situation. Which stired up all kinds of drama. Dang what a deal that was. BTW I absolutely love the history of the items that you dig up

  • @teresawaterman45
    @teresawaterman45 Месяц назад +16

    This is so awesome! I also met family I didn’t know that live only 30-40 minutes from me for 2 decades now since I re-married and moved here. My 2nd cousin will turn 96y/o in several months; her son, my 3rd cousin(my Mom’s age), his wife & his daughter, my 4th cousin, all drove down & met me for brunch a year ago, this month. What a blessing knowing that I am now not alone here 4 hours from my family.
    Also, ~15 years ago, my Dad & his 6 living siblings discovered they had an older sister in Missouri. She was in her early 80s at the time. They visited over the phone for several years but never met. I’d love to meet her family, though!
    God bless you and your‘growing’ family!🎉

    • @elipotter369
      @elipotter369 28 дней назад

      I think you may find that your second cousin's son is your second cousin once removed. And that your child is the third cousin of your second cousin's son.
      I'm pretty sure that's how it works. Google will confirm.

  • @paulacollins3223
    @paulacollins3223 Месяц назад +13

    At one time you may have thought that this story was unique, but over time, the story is bigger and so much other's stories. I myself didn't know my dad had been married previously to my mother thill his passing in 2007. She told me he had been married previously twice and had a son, and one wife side the daughter was his but he didn't think it was. Then a few years later, my brother's wife reached out to me on Ancestry and within two weeks we met up (I live in Florida and he lived in Kentucky where I'm from and happen to be driving through his area to go pick up my daughter at the grandparents) I've introduced him to his living uncle. I share pictures and findings with him. Still working on the older sister. Now that mother is gone, it's nice knowing to have family to reach out.

  • @richardclark4610
    @richardclark4610 Месяц назад +11

    Same here! I did the Ancestry dna test and turned up a half-brother. I also do the genealogy for my brothers etc etc. Enjoy you videos and think your family is great (wife & kids/relationships etc). Hang in there! It's up to the other people to decide the path forward.

  • @giseleperrin
    @giseleperrin Месяц назад +19

    Here I took a DNA test through ancestry. I really put in my mind I didn't belong in this family. I was switched at birth, adopted , something. I was always the black sheep and was treated badly. I didn't even look like my siblings. I took the test and when I got the results I cried for days.

    • @m.c.master4622
      @m.c.master4622 29 дней назад +18

      Well, please explain. What happened? Sorry it was so difficult.

    • @nicolad8822
      @nicolad8822 15 дней назад +1

      ⁠@@m.c.master4622 I believe they mean they actually did belong to the family so there is no explanation for why they felt they didn’t.

  • @frankm8533
    @frankm8533 Месяц назад +10

    My dad is 70 now always a party guy since the age of 14 he's got some pretty crazy stories he wasn't a nice guy either and is actually a missing persons of two years but im 43 i have a half sister from him we always knew about She did the dna test we found 4 more half siblings all younger then me from our dad we tried to reach out to them they all denied it said it was a scam or the wrong results from dna love the channel Alex been with you since the beginning

  • @adapoole4515
    @adapoole4515 Месяц назад +10

    Heather and Steve in your life is a positive good thing.Other people not comfortable with it, is something they have to deal with. Everyone react to stuff differently, keep the love in your heart.

  • @kenc1800
    @kenc1800 Месяц назад +9

    Alex your reflections and family concerns/point-of-views are spot on and reflects mature enlightenment and truth seeking. You and Melissa are fantastic parents and stable family!

  • @dafire
    @dafire Месяц назад +11

    I hope they put things aside and just be together. I lost my sister this week. Wish she would have just put things aside and just accepted the love. I will miss her. I loved her very much. ❤ hugs from a far.

  • @sandycampbell4190
    @sandycampbell4190 Месяц назад +20

    I get it. Went looking for missing oldest sibling. Found her. It’s good but there is something o cannot put my finger on and figure out. She got a lot of stuff she probably never thought about and I got my sister. Still more growth I think that can happen. I wish you the absolute best and continue to enjoy your new found family.

  • @bailatwerski2951
    @bailatwerski2951 Месяц назад +17

    It's all your aunt's loss!!! Some people are just not reasonable and stubborn and you just have to let them be because you need to do the things that you need to do and be happy!!! I am so happy that you have found other siblings for yourself and for your family and you are a very wonderful person You your wife your children and don't worry about your aunt or anybody else's feelings You're an amazing person a very welcoming person and mostly a very positive person as well so just do and keep doing what you're doing and be happy always be happy and enjoy your family extended family etc.

  • @shari5982
    @shari5982 Месяц назад +12

    I found a half-brother via Ancestry. His daughter, my niece, asked him to test because, like you, she wanted to know her ethnicity. Plus, her father knew he was adopted and knew nothing about his bio family. Unfortunately, he’s still very bitter about being given up for adoption, isn’t interested in knowing about our family, and hasn’t ever spoken to me. I exchanged emails and texts with my niece for a short time, but we’ve lost contact. I’m also estranged from a (younger) sibling. I’ve tried to connect with her several times, to no avail, so I’m leaving it up to her at this point. I’m not too hard to find on social media.

  • @ged2906
    @ged2906 28 дней назад +8

    Thanks for sharing your feelings, your honesty and wisdom. ❤❤❤

  • @barbararoot4764
    @barbararoot4764 Месяц назад +7

    I can see all the emotions on your face.. such a lovely, loving person you are.. always enjoy your videos. We currently live in AR, the area you visited.. so glad you were able connect with family while you were here. So sorry about the tornado 😉. We are all doing what people do in recovery. Hope you return soon.

  • @woodrowmuse8437
    @woodrowmuse8437 Месяц назад +21

    I’m praying that all will work out! Dads promiscuity has created new adventures ❤

    • @nicolad8822
      @nicolad8822 15 дней назад

      From other things about how they were homeless at one point I think his Dad was very self indulgent.

  • @dianaburns6879
    @dianaburns6879 Месяц назад +13

    Have to tell you how much I enjoyed this video. You are always so positive. We need more of your outlook on life. Love that you value older things and enjoy returning them to being useful items. Looking forward to the upcoming videos. I hope that the peace and love and sharing you put out are returned to you tenfold.

  • @sherryatthelake5654
    @sherryatthelake5654 Месяц назад +8

    I am glad you got to meet another family member. It is sad though that her relationship with her mom Heather has been challenged & they haven’t been in each other’s lives for a few years. Praying their relationship can be healed sooner than later. 🙏❤️

  • @catherinerandall1966
    @catherinerandall1966 Месяц назад +7

    So very heart wrenching.
    What a blessing finding and meeting those who were missing in your life.
    Pray your Aunty softens her heart a little, because time is short, too short for regrets. Thank you for sharing, Alex...We here in Vancouver have been water logged with rain, but sunny days are coming for your visit ♥

  • @uwsupergirl
    @uwsupergirl Месяц назад +12

    I have two half-sisters- one was born when I was 15, and I was out of the house at 16- soon after another half-sister was born. I'm very close now to the sister who was born after I left, not close to the other one- she's MEAN to both of us! LOL. It's very interesting to hear of the similarities of interests between Steve and your dad- I really like your relaxed attitude and I'm sorry that other family struggled with that. Maybe your aunt was embarrassed because she thought your dad's behavior badly reflected on his character. I don't think like that, so I think your characterization of it (that hippie musician nomad thing) is right on the mark, and no biggie. We must evolve and just be accepting of people.

    • @mavahuth5044
      @mavahuth5044 Месяц назад +1

      Someone said that Heather's mom may not have liked that she was with someone else. Then her husband, because she wanted a certain image.

  • @susanseifert925
    @susanseifert925 Месяц назад +8

    Yes, I agree with you in that the past is the past. Do not carry that heavy baggage. Drop it off along the highway and move on down the highway if life(!) to get to a better place (town(!). Live/experience all that you can in life. But that is certainly easier said than done for some more so than others (me - Trust issues). Hopefully time will continue to heal. If we have done what we can, it is now out of your control. It is easier for me to preach than to actually do what preach!🙏
    Thank you for sharing. Sharing is healing.

  • @howardwest1347
    @howardwest1347 Месяц назад +10

    Baring your souls and family history like this has to be difficult .I salute you for being so brave to tell it all publicly. You did not create the problem between Heather and Nicole. It was Nicole’s closed mind that created the rift. You did the right thing by reaching out and thank God she has gotten more wisdom and met with and accepted you. I can’t imagine anyone being afraid of or hurt by you. You are such a gentle loving person and you glow when you are with Melissa and your children . They are so lucky to have you. If we are not open in our lives we miss out on so much with other people. I have a first cousin that has been ostracized by several of her siblings. I have always thought she was and is an amazing and cool person and even though we live quite a distance apart I try to support her emotionally in messages. I think she can feel the respect and love and hopefully it is helping her.

    • @ghostnote1678
      @ghostnote1678 29 дней назад +1

      "It was Nicole’s closed mind that created the rift."
      Let's not affix blame. We literally know nothing about the actual circumstances.

  • @bailatwerski2951
    @bailatwerski2951 Месяц назад +30

    Never apologize for telling the truth and the truth would have come out anyway one way or another You are not to blame

  • @mavahuth5044
    @mavahuth5044 Месяц назад +10

    I can't be the only one who likes to listen to you talk. Also for me, I have to remind myself that you can only control myself. And not other people,if they don't want to talk to you. For whatever the reason it is, you just have to go on. And do your best. I don't know if I could get sick of you, you are full of variety.😊

  • @sandygraetz5166
    @sandygraetz5166 29 дней назад +6

    You are so in trouble with the lovely Heather! All the glowing comments about her!😂❤

  • @deborahhatch1856
    @deborahhatch1856 29 дней назад +7

    Their relationships are not yours to heal that is something they have to do on their own. You part is just to let them you care about them and would like to be part of their life in the way that works for them. Be happy to have met your niece and had a wonderful time meeting her a starting to get to know her. Your are a kind and loving soul enjoy what you have.

  • @karenmanning5915
    @karenmanning5915 Месяц назад +5

    Alex, you have such a beautiful soul and spirit. I could see the heartfelt emotion as you spoke. I'm so happy for you that you were able to connect with your niece, and Heather and Steve. I'm sorry for your Aunt, she is missing out. But the door is open, which is saying more than you know. Some would slam it shut but you have not. Reading through the comments, so many have had similar experiences. My first cousin, who was very dear to me passed in 2018. Her son and her brother did DNA testing through Ancestry and discovered that her Dad was not her biological Dad. She loved her Dad so much and would have been devastated to learn that he was not her bio-dad. My aunt was only a couple of months along when they married; and she may not even have known she was pregnant. But seven months later, my cousin was born. They went on to have two sons and made a lovely life together as a family. It was only after my aunt passed away that love letters were found from both her father and the other man who also loved her. My aunt chose the right man for her and kept the secret of the possibility of the other man being the father to her grave. And that was in 1946.

  • @valrummel7215
    @valrummel7215 Месяц назад +9

    Thank you for sharing. Families are hard but the most important thing in the world.

  • @vettnetkramer1233
    @vettnetkramer1233 Месяц назад +9

    I'm glad you got to meet your family member.

  • @barbwinkler2291
    @barbwinkler2291 28 дней назад +6

    Interesting story-only recently did I find your channel which I thought was about collecting other people’s things. Little did I know that you had this personal story developing.

  • @toniasalways
    @toniasalways Месяц назад +20

    I did the Ancestry DNA test hoping to find "real" parents. Turns out I was not adopted, My parents just didn't like me. I bet you and I are related somewhere. I could go junking all day and into the night.

  • @patriciaanzelc5386
    @patriciaanzelc5386 Месяц назад +7

    Alex thanks for sharing all your thoughts, feelings and experiences with your family. You are a kind, sweet, lovely soul. I have been working on letting the past go and rebuilding relationships with some family. Boy is it challenging. As you said, life is short . I have lost so many family members. I have decided I no longer care who was right or wrong. I decided to set boundaries so I don’t get hurt again and move on. It has had its ups and downs but to my surprise it is working. It has not been easy. I too have been on ancestry to learn about my dad’s family. My dad passed when I was 18. He was a dear man but now I know why I didn’t know about his family. Unfortunately, I found some disturbing facts about his immediate family.
    Anyway, I’m old enough to be your aunt but if you ever appeared as a relative on ancestry I would invite you to California in a hot minute. Take Care❤😊

  • @fredadunne5382
    @fredadunne5382 Месяц назад +4

    I loved the emotion throughout this video and was about to close out my comment when you mentioned the Legos. That was the best rationale for spending time as an adult I’ve ever heard!! Yep, I’m in my 70s, but Legos rock!!

  • @shelaghjackson9577
    @shelaghjackson9577 Месяц назад +7

    Do not apologize for who you are.
    The past is the past and families are strange the world over!
    Thanks for sharing.❤

  • @ruthiezophia7118
    @ruthiezophia7118 Месяц назад +8

    Family is complicated. Its sad. Different beliefs. Different childhoods. I wish my siblings and i could be closer. Sometimes its the spouses. So glad you had a great time. Happy for you and your niece.

  • @helaina400
    @helaina400 Месяц назад +12

    You’re such a lovely person

  • @marciajohnson6767
    @marciajohnson6767 29 дней назад +5

    This was lovely to hear. Sending positive energy to you! You are awesome 😊😊😊

  • @ElicBehexan
    @ElicBehexan Месяц назад +17

    I was visiting my sister in Tennessee the last two weeks. I was talking with her and her wife about the town in Oklahoma you told us, your views, about. Of course I couldn't remember the name, but I grabbed my phone, looked up your video and *BAM!* I had the name! I can not say how much I appreciated you, your family and your RUclips. Alexander, you are a wonderful source of information and this old lady wants to tell you that you are doing a good job!

  • @jacquelinemarie583
    @jacquelinemarie583 Месяц назад +10

    Compared to mine, your situation is fine. Since my son's dad passed away, I have found that we are related in several ways. We are related on 2 sides of my family. Every time I open an email from Ancestry I am getting another common relative that we share. At first I just laughed and thought that he would turn over in his grave if he knew. Now it is like "OMG another common relative. If my son was a live, I am sure that he would just laugh and think "WOW, I'm more Finnish then I thought". You can't change the past.....

  • @TheFlyingdeuces
    @TheFlyingdeuces Месяц назад +11

    I saw a young woman on the train today travelling from Leeds UK and I was thinking I'd seen her before, then I realised she was a doppelganger for your daughter it was spooky! If I'd been travelling with one of my sisters I'd have gotten them to ask her for a pic to prove it lol.

  • @kuttfam0191
    @kuttfam0191 Месяц назад +8

    Every day is a new day. Dont focus on the past. Focus on what lies ahead.

  • @darlenefaulkner5041
    @darlenefaulkner5041 Месяц назад +12

    So glad your journey continues with surprises and blessings ❤

  • @JOY566
    @JOY566 Месяц назад +6

    So happy for you Alex and your family.. God bless.😊

  • @happydays59
    @happydays59 Месяц назад +6

    Being open and honest is never a bad thing❤

  • @lindakovacs7904
    @lindakovacs7904 Месяц назад +17

    You are a great character and ambassador to the future of possibilities. You are an open hearted really good person and anyone that is in your life is so fortunate and blessed as they are such lucky people as well as you are. Keep your positive attitude because it really does make a huge difference. You are a remarkably kind and genuine person anyone could know to any degree. You have proven throughout all these years the extreme importance of family is to you. Thank you as it is an enormously beautiful endeavor and you are admired . Love who you are and never disappointed in any way ...Bless your entire family. . I have learned how important it is to keep your door of hope open to the future.

  • @sunshineinarizona1726
    @sunshineinarizona1726 Месяц назад +4

    You're a sweet person, Alex. Been watching you for years now. Thank you for sharing. 🌻☀

  • @deborahthompson7566
    @deborahthompson7566 Месяц назад +16

    I'm glad things are going so well for you and your family. Here in buffalo New York we have a Lego group that meets once a month It's a fast growing hobby

    • @bailatwerski2951
      @bailatwerski2951 Месяц назад +1

      My son Jacob it's very much into LEGO We live in New York but not in Buffalo is this something that he can join remotely or is it something he needs to go to Buffalo for?

  • @Bob_the_bottleman
    @Bob_the_bottleman Месяц назад +4

    Sorry I missed your live Alex but you have been such a good person to everyone! Have a great rest of the week!!

  • @cherrydowns7745
    @cherrydowns7745 Месяц назад +8

    Wouldn't it be great to have a family reunion at your new home!

  • @juliemartin6101
    @juliemartin6101 Месяц назад +4

    I have a very large family - both sides have siblings, half siblings, step siblings, a whole bunch of people who are "relatives" but not really. It's so wonderful to know all these people. Most of us get along, some better than others, but at least "hi!". (up in your neighborhood - good people/half-cousins? - who live in Lethbridge). You know what the best part of all this is? I can go almost anywhere and have family to visit.

  • @allentowngal4769
    @allentowngal4769 Месяц назад +17

    I grew up in 60s & 70s. Johnny Appleseed's got nothin' on the seeds sown by the decade of free love! DNA is undeniable. It's only a problem when people try to keep secrets.

    • @allentowngal4769
      @allentowngal4769 27 дней назад

      @knuckles2951 well... no..there was a price to pay. Aids being the biggest. My generation was uneducated due to hush standards of parents who did the same thing but kept things swept under the rug...hence sending their pregnant cohorts " to visit great Aunt Doris out west" so they dropped kids & put them up for adoption. They just didn't have DNA analysis to get caught. Simply arguing that the blue eyed, Blond hair off spring of Italian Aunt Doris was an anomaly. DNA answers a lot of questions & mostly uncovers the secrets that used to go unanswered for generations of the past. I don't judge. DNA is not a life sentence to endure toxic relationships. Even Alex laments that in his troubled relationship with his brother. You can't choose DNA but you can choose healthy relationships. . blood or otherwise.

  • @howardwest1347
    @howardwest1347 Месяц назад +8

    People are so important. Just people not things. Things are nice but people touch our hearts in a way that things can’t. Our lives are more fulfilled when we connect with other human beings.

  • @zeldaveeblefetzer3475
    @zeldaveeblefetzer3475 Месяц назад +5

    My mother's 1st cousin found a niece she never knew. Her brother was never told. They all connected with great results. I'm really looking forward to meeting my new second cousin. I saw a photo of her and was blown away by her family resemblance! She looks just like my mother and my mother's sister! Like you, I'm an only child with an older half-sister for my mother, two half-brothers from my dad, and a step-brother. I get along with all of them,, though my 2 half-brothers and i aren't close. We didn't grow up together.. I'm actually closer to my step-brother and sister. When my dad passed, I found some old love letters from a woman my dated between his marriages... now I'm wondering if I could have another half-sibling out there! Also, I have a HUGE bin of lego sets from the 90's. My goal is to sort them, match them with their instructions, and assemble them. I don't have the boxes, but at least we saved the instructions. I loved playing with them when I was a kid in the 70's. Then, I just had the bricks, no unique space ships or anything. My son's are the fun ones.

  • @dianahults3059
    @dianahults3059 Месяц назад +3

    Also skip that area during tornado season! Happy that things went well and you are meeting more family!

  • @sharonserendipity
    @sharonserendipity 10 дней назад +1

    Originally from Alberta but 32 years on Vancouver Island: I met my sister 7 years ago also! Maternal sister (in Alberta) and 6 months later I met my paternal brother and then sister, both in the U.S. Having them in my life has done nothing but enrich ❤❤❤ My sister and I had daughters only months apart while we unknowingly lived only a few miles apart. It's a crazy ride.

  • @annpage8192
    @annpage8192 27 дней назад +2

    I can't believe it's been over seven years since you first found out about Heather. I've been watching your channel since before that. I might have commented back then about how my father first found out that he had three older half-siblings when his father passed away. It was surreali for him to discover that. He only got to meet his sister in person once and that was a very emotional meeting ( one brother had already passed and another choose not to meet him in person). My father grew up in the same area they were as an only child.

  • @tundeterez
    @tundeterez Месяц назад +9

    Supposedly, everyone has a secret life, private life, and public life. You are revealing secrets by finding the truth. There is a saying that people are as sick as their secrets. I guess some of your family members are not ready to heal. What YOU are doing is healthy! You are certainly doing something admirable, in my opinion. 💖

  • @evaharriman9279
    @evaharriman9279 Месяц назад +7

    Aww, I could see the emotions on your face, Alex. At one point I thought you were going to burst into tears, and I remember thinking that you should pause and go have a good cry, happy tears, or sad tears, or both. Crying is a good release. So happy that your family seems to be slowly mending fences. Hugs to you and your family!

  • @lisavanderlinden777
    @lisavanderlinden777 29 дней назад +4

    Alex , thank you for all you do !

  • @reneetaylor9288
    @reneetaylor9288 Месяц назад +13

    I found out who my biological father was at age 59. He died before I could meet him. I also found that those I grew up with were all half siblings. I have a new half-sister. I also had another half-brother, but he also died before we met. If my bio mother had told me I could've met both as well as my grandmother, I was an adult when they all died. I understand what Heather felt not being able to meet her biological father. Your aunt is the reallying missing out. I have the same situation with one of my halfsister as you do with your older half-brother. I have been a viewer since you purchased your old grocery store. Thank you for sharing your journey. Hugs