24 June 2015

My Distraction from Art

I have not done very many creative things lately outside of the Elizabeth Barton Master Class because my mind and time has been centered around having found my birth family.

I was adopted in Chicago and taken to the District of Columbia at 3 days old. To make a VERY long story a bit shorter, I sued the District to have my adoption records opened about 25 years ago. The District is one of the few places that are still refusing to give people the basic dignity of knowing who they are. Don't get me started. I won my case and a social worker specializing in adoption research was appointed. She said my father was dead and his family wanted nothing to do with me and my mother said it wasn't her but someone using her health insurance. This was in 1948. I didn't even know they had health insurance back then. Now we have surmised the fictitious mother either made up a "father's name" or it was the husband of the woman whose insurance card was used. A double dead end.

Now at 66, I have had my DNA done three times. The first just did mitrochondrial DNA and through that met a lovely woman who shares the same "Eve" with me. We have been emailing for a while now. I wanted to know my ethnicity so I had a total panel of all 23 genes done by two companies and low and behold, I got an email from a woman telling me I was a 2nd cousin to her and her dad and a first cousin to her aunt. She sent a photo of her aunt and we could be twins - no kidding. I'd show you but I think that is overstepping others rights. You''ll have to take my word.

So now I have found much more than my ethnicity (English, Scottish, Irish and 6% Norwegian). I have found a whole family. Of course most are dead - even the aunt I look like just died in February. So I am a bit distracted, making plans to visit them and just generally happy and excited.

I think there is no way anyone can relate without being there!! But you can join in my joy of being found!!

9 comments:

  1. What wonderful news Beth. Very happy for you. I have a cousin who was able to locate his birth parents, and this has given him joy.
    Debbie

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  2. I too found my birth family a couple of years ago. One group of half sisters were happy to meet me and include me in their lives. The other side was not. As I had expected, I was a big surprise to both sets of half sisters.

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  3. Thank you Debbie and Lorri. I am still a bit in shock.

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  4. What a wonderful experience for you. You certainly deserve to be joyful.

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  5. Wonderful news. Your experience may come out in your art work later. I once participated in a fabric self portrait show. One of the submitters had a similar story to yours and it was reflected in her wall hanging. Very moving piece.

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  6. Beth, I know this is a spiritual journey for you and wish you peace, healing and joy in the process!

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  7. Hi, I was also adopted but to make the story short. I was in my 60's when I finally met my brothers in person. No one in the family knew about what had happened and most had passed. I did not do any DNA. Because with the paper work I found in a safety deposit box, and how delighted they were to welcome me . It was not important. My niece looks like me. She always wondered as she did not look like her siblings. Enjoy the moments. They are special.

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  8. You are so right. I don't think anyone could understand the journey you've been on, other than someone who has been through it themselves. You've been on a long journey with a lot of detours and I hope that meeting some of your family members will bring you peace and a true sense of belonging.

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  9. I am very happy for you that you fpund them. Everyone has the right to know who their family is and feel connected. Xx

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