BS: I've got a brother!

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: JennieG
Date: 20 Apr 07 - 10:03 PM

My father walked out on my mother 35 years ago - my brothers and I had all left home by then, 2 of us were married, and although we weren't small children any more it was still a tremendous shock. He moved around other parts of Oz and eventually remarried, but we are pretty sure there are no more of us; the new wife was over 60 when they married. We found out 5 years ago that he died in 1991.

However he obviously didn't tell the new wife that he had been married to my mother for over 25 years, and that he had 3 children by her. The information on his death certificate says no previous marriages and no children. That means that whoever gave the information for the certificate (usually the remaining spouse) knew nothing of his past, or of the cheating and gambling that had gone on before he left - all of which came out afterwards. One would think that in a country town everyone knew everyone else's business but not so in this case!

I have wondered that, if I am not named on my father's death certificate, does this mean I don't really exist? (pinches arm - yep, it hurts so I must be alive)

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: old girl 1
Date: 21 Apr 07 - 07:05 PM

Great news Dave Hope everything works out well keep us posted, See you at Grove Rose & Dave

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: WiggyMagPye
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 08:59 AM

Hey Skipy,

   When will you meet your siblings? Do you have any ideas about what you want to say or know? I wonder if you will see a family resemblance? I am so excited for you!

WMP

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: Rasener
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 09:21 AM

Good luck Skipy. You are doing a great job with MS.

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 22 Apr 07 - 05:18 PM

WMP,nothing planned yet, hope to send a few photos & a couples of pages this week.
Thanx for asking, will keep the cat imforned.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: WiggyMagPye
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 01:51 PM

Hello Skipy,
    I want you to know that because you posted here (which got me thinking about my birth family) and some prodding from Peace, I wrote a few emails and found that I will most likely be able to get a copy of my father's birth certificate (he was adopted but no idea about his birth family). I am excited at the prospect and a bit overwhelmed, teary even. I thought there was absolutely no hope in finding them. I know this is a small step but it might lead to something important and help me along in my search. I'm so glad that you found your brother (and sisters!) and that you shared it here with us!

WMP

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: WiggyMagPye
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 01:52 PM

PS. For anyone else who might be looking, I contacted my local state representatives office for help in finding the birth certificate of my (deceased) father who was adopted (it's his family who I am looking for). I had no idea where to begin so maybe that will be of use to someone else out there.

WMP

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 04:23 PM

So, the phone rang tonight & it was one of my sisters! We had a great little chat, she says she has "so much" to tell me about! We have been invited to Belfast the same weekend that my brother is going over, so there will be 4 of us together!
Slight snag though! it my be the weekend of folkforms! ironic or what!
We'll see how it pans out.
WMP - GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: FolkTDG
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 04:51 PM

Good luck Skipy! Hope it all works out for you and your family!

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: Beer
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 05:26 PM

Very very happy for you Skippy. You'll be living in some what of a dream for a while.
   Not to take away from your story Skippy but I would like to share what happened to my brother in law about 3 years ago. He was a surviver of the famous "Butter Box Babies" legend that came out of Nova Scotia (If you Google B. B. Babies you will get the story. Want to keep this short as possible.). He now has 2 brothers one living in British Columbia and another one who moved to Quebec about 10 years ago from Ottawa.
Here's the strange but true incident which took place.
Danny was living in Ottawa at the time and was doing small time repairs in electricity, carpentry, plumbing and so on. My sister was working in a government position. On visiting one of his favorite clients he learned that his clients father had just passed away so Danny offered him his condolence. Turns out he was offering his sympathies to his brother and biological father.
How about that for a shocker.........

He has since met relatives across Canada.
life can be strange and wonderful.
All the best to you Skippy in your new adventure.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 05:41 PM

Beer, WOW, just read it! one hell of a story!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 06:45 PM

I've dreamed about finding parts of my family like you have, what a wonderful gift!


Well what do you do when they will not respond after sending letters and tapes to 5 half siblings?

Should I assume their current mother made an edict? or that they decided that this guy is after dad's estate? or life is complicated enough, screw this guy?

I don't think I should stalk my own family albeit a family without contact.

ps I would be the eldest.

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 24 Apr 07 - 07:08 PM

Strange that 5 would all fail to respond, so try again!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 12:18 AM

Beer, thank you for telling us your story. I had never heard of the Butterbox Babies before. What an incredible story. I've got tears running down my face just thinking of those babies and their families being separated and also feeling joy at some of the reunions. Incredible.

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: Bee
Date: 25 Apr 07 - 07:31 AM

Skipy, sounds like you will be 'swimming' in family now. ;-)

Beer, how interesting about your Bro-in-law being a Butterbox Baby. Just a few years ago, some poor person from the US was attempting to get DNA results from one of the buried infants who may have been kin to them (I forget the details, but it may have been one of the mothers), but alas, nothing could be found.

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: GUEST,Donna
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 04:24 AM

Hi Mr Guest, just wanted you to know that I think your recent news is just great and to be able to share it with so many warm and genuine people is just fab!! Hope you enjoyed your few jars down the pub last night by the way!!

x

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 06:01 AM

Hi all, just received a packet of photos! know what they look like now!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 06:06 AM

Skipy, do they know what you look like?

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 07:04 AM

NO! It will come as a shock! So will send them something in Monday post!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: Peace
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 12:55 PM

The news is wonderful, Skipy. I am very very happy for you.

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: Rapparee
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 05:27 PM

Skipy, this is indeed wonderful news. Do you think that they'll be shocked when they see your picture? I can't imagine that they would be -- family's family after all.

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 05:51 PM

I was shocked when I saw theirs, only because the human brain puts together pictures, so they looked totally differant to what I (my brain) expected. There is nothing out of the normal about any of them, but those I thought where fat are thin etc. etc.
The brain is a strange piece of kit as we all know!
Back in 1976 I was walking down a street in Valletta Malta (lived there for 3 years) there was a woman walking along in the other direction on the other side, I felt an amazingly strong attraction to her (no, not on that way! trust me on this one) I thought "thats my mother", I walked about 20 paces, stopped and looked back, she had also stopped & was looking my way, we observed each other for a while (felt like age) & them we both walked on. Who knows it may pan out that she was out ther on holiday! Not likely but scary!
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 05:56 PM

"e" the missing e
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: skipy
Date: 28 Apr 07 - 05:57 PM

Thanks Peace, we are moving fwd. slowly. Way to go.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 12:14 AM

Skipy -- what wonderful news.....I don't know you personally but I do soooooo remember putting pennies in the Barnardo's boxes when I was a child....I am so happy for you and your family.....

Subject: RE: BS: I've got a brother!
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Jul 07 - 12:28 AM

Enjoy the moment, skipy. I can't imagine growing up without brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles. grandparents etc. I had a huge extended family as did most of my friends. You have been given a wonderful gift. Treasure it.
Mary