Adoptee Marie-Anne Finally Reconnects With Her Birth Family | Every Family Has a Secret | Ancestry®

After 4 years, this adoptee’s story finally has a miracle ending. In a heartwarming reunion, journalist Marie-Anne meets her birth father and half-sister for the very first time. See the beginning of Marie-Anne’s story on Every Family Has a Secret: visitancestry.com/44sE9p7
Subscribe: bit.ly/AncestrySubscribe
About Ancestry: Start your family history journey today with Ancestry®. With our massive collection of historical records, access to family trees, and DNA technology, we’re here to help you discover your personal history.
Visit Ancestry’s Official Site: www.ancestry.com
Follow Ancestry on TikTok: bit.ly/AncestryTikTok
Follow Ancestry on Instagram: bit.ly/AncestryIG
Like Ancestry on Facebook: bit.ly/AncestryFB
Follow Ancestry on Twitter: bit.ly/AncestryTwitter

[@sarapatrick2143]

My grandmother after being adopted at 3 days old in 1924 finally found out who her biological family was at 93 years old. Seeing my grandma meet her nieces and nephews and hearing that her mother gave her the same name so they would always be connected.

[@larse9999]

Nothing could be better than the surrogate father who raised me. He will always and forever be my Dad. I am so absolutely greatful he chose me to love and protect. I cherish each and every memory I have with him. To me, it mattered not that we didn't share the same blood because we shared the same heart. I have seen photos of my bio father and it is like looking at a complete stranger and I can't even fathom coming from him. He didn't want me and I am so glad I didn't have to live with that terrible feeling in my childhood. I am not angry with him or even hurt... I am indifferent. I am glad that he stepped out of the picture so that I could be blessed with a Dad that made me feel like a princess. I think what it really boils down to is familiarity and connection. If you don't have that bond and connection, I suppose you are left feeling empty. Im so glad that my Dad and I had that heart connection. He was the best!

[@michaelroby6538]

As a family of adoption and fostering, I’m in tears. Unspeakable joy, and loss and sadness. I’m so happy for you and your family.

[@pdsux2022]

Through Ancestry, I found a cousin that was adopted after her birth. We have met and welcomed into the family.😊

[@AncestryUS]

That is wonderful to hear, Christine! We are happy that you have welcomed your new cousin to your family with open arms.

[@yvonneprimeau5475]

I’m crying with happiness for her.

[@kimweidner7351]

At half a century old, I too found my birth father for the first time in my life. It gets sweeter the more you open your heart to receive - and what you find out, you must forgive. ❤️🙏😊

[@user-cc2sv8fp5q]

What a beautiful beautiful lady! Inside out! I cried my eyes out. What a charisma! She is a magnet! The same face with her father, even the same facial expressions. I'm so glad that she has found what she was looking for.

[@Mistydazzle]

How beautiful! I have always known exactly who my people are, grew up with them, the DNA blood family that was my world when I was a child. My only sibling and their subsequent family chose to reject me and mine, leaving me that hole that Marie-Anne had. I envy those who have embracing families. That acceptance and bond is not always a guarantee, even if you live with your blood relatives from day one.

[@sk13ppy]

Sadly, I have to agree with you. Much the same has happened to our family. I used to think I was adopted because our family wasn't close. When I found out that I wasn't adopted, I wish I had been adopted! I still have that hole in my core and it can never be filled, but at least I was told by my eldest sibling that I wasn't to blame. I've always longed for a loving family. Hugs to you. We deserved better, all kids deserve better. But sometimes we're raised by kids who deserved better too. Life and families can be tragic. I just try to make the best of if by helping others through genetic genealogy. 💙

[@wendyladybug355laurie4]

​@@sk13ppySAME BOAT AS Y'ALL 😢😢BUT SEEKING OUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER AND OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST HAS FILLED THE EMPTY HOLE & ALSO GOD IS KIND & HE IS OUR TRUE FATHER.WE ARE BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A FAMILY, WHILE MAYBE NOT BLOOD RELATED,BUT FAMILY THRU OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST ❤❤😇😇🙏🙏🤲👑🥰🥰

[@looneygardener]

I was adopted at birth, 40 years later found my birth father, 5 siblings, and my birth mother's name. Six years after I met my birth mother and discovered I had 7 more siblings. Finally whole. Not alienated and alone anymore. I have roots, blood. So blessed and grateful to the universe for making this part of my journey. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@AncestryUS]

How amazing, Anne! We are absolutely thrilled to learn about the journey you have been on and want to wish you all the best going forward. ❤️

[@looneygardener]

@@AncestryUS thank you. The journey continues! Thanks to my DNA test.

[@AncestryUS]

We're thrilled to hear it, Anne. We are excited for the many more discoveries ahead of you! 😊

[@joyce7892]

That is so wonderful. Culture and acceptance has changed so much since those days where pregnant girls had to go to the 'bad girls home' or be sent away for 9 months. There was so much shame back then. It is sad that it was the way it was, but that's the way it was! We have come a long way thank goodness!

[@rebeccasunflower]

I remember watching this episode of “Every Family has a Secret”. So glad that Marie-Anne did find her father. A wonderful update!

[@AncestryUS]

An incredibly touching end to her story 🙌

[@SaidiLouise]

I just cannot imagine the lifelong feeling of not belonging. Overjoyed for this family ❤

[@AncestryUS]

Truly a beautiful ending to Marie-Anne's story

[@robertprahl1471]

I heard this story driving home on ABC Radio Perth. Brilliant story with an extra twist. The radio presenter was a good friend of Marie-Ann, and had interviewed her father Giovanni many times as he was the mayor of Stirling back in the day. He was even in her contact list.

[@alisonbettle7355]

We have 2 adopted sons who we love dearly and they feel the same way about us. I feel desperately sorry for your adoptive family if you really consider your natural father to be of more value than the family who brought you up

[@Furienna]

It is not the adoptee's fault, but it's very much possible to feel like an outsider in your adoptive family even if they do everything right. It is even possible that an adoptive family is abusive. We don't really know much about this woman's relationship with her adoptive family, but it sounds like they couldn't connect with her.

[@selflovediva]

I understand what she minds about similar personality and outlook. When i found my birth mom's family i found in many ways my energy and vibe was far more like them than my adoptive parents.

[@Davidg65]

Same for me. I was adopted by a wonderful family who I adore deeply. But when I found my birth family our personalities and outlook were so similar. We bonded immediately

[@outfromtheshadows]

This is such a beautiful and moving story. Thank you Marie-Anne for sharing it with us. ❤

[@cornishmaid9138]

Finally, she belongs. ❤️

[@martinschiller2154]

When I watched this show, a lot of tears ran down my cheeks. I was adopted and lied to. I was told that my father is Chinese, even though I don't look Chinese and I believe that he's my real father, because his name is on my birth certificate. When I was able to contact my other family, I was told that I looked like their cousin who could possibly be my sister. Bingo! they were right. Her father is my father and he's a full-blooded Irish man.95% DNA match, and no Chinese DNA.

[@lindahogle5622]

You share such a heart wrenching story with a blessed ending. I'm so happy you found your father and sister to heal the hole in your heart and began a new life together.

[@MrsBrit1]

She and her sister look so, so similar! You can definitely te!I they're sisters!

[@iamblessed5361]

I am so happy for you Marie I am right now waiting for my DNA results like you did and found out who you are your true biological identity and your birth father congratulations. This video helped me

[@AncestryUS]

We're so happy to hear that and wish you luck in your journey!

[@michaelbliss3419]

I found my father through Ansestry. After looking for him for 43 years . Unfortunately he is not interested in having any kind of relationship he has to much guilt. That's ok the good news is I know who that side of my family is where there from so I can trace them back as of now almost 300 years .

[@LooneyMoonFilms]

I wish Ancestry could help me find my brother. Love the story!

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks for getting in touch. Have you considered taking the AncestryDNA test? Our test is a great way of finding biological family as it will match you with any relatives who have also taken our test. DNA testing is becoming increasingly popular; there are currently 20 million people (and counting) in the AncestryDNA database and many of our members have found siblings, parents or cousins with our DNA test. You can message your matches for free which means members are able to collaborate with each other on their shared family history. We will include an article here that explains how you can best find biological family with our service: support.ancestry.co.uk/s/article/Finding-Biological-Family. For an insight into what you could expect from the test, check out the following article: support.ancestry.co.uk/s/article/What-to-Expect-from-AncestryDNA. Please let us know if you have any questions.

[@LooneyMoonFilms]

Thank you for the reply. I've taken my DNA test. No results were shown. My father, was killed in Tarpon springs Florida a few weeks ago in a vehicle accident with his dog. He served in Vietnam and had a son out of wedlock. He's told me about him many times, but would never give me any pertinent information. We lost contact over the last decade. I requested information on my brother, and he would never help.

[@sherrygriffin9320]

​@LooneyMoonFilms 😢...my kindest regards ❤

[@MountainGram112]

I feel so sorry for the family that adopted her and seems left behind and disregarded.

[@anne-marielapointe-sp3mj]

From her comments that she always “felt like a guest in a hotel” you can read between the lines that it was never a close relationship and maybe even a bad one with her adoptive parents. I don’t think you need to feel bad for them. And in fact, maybe they are private people and just didn’t want to participate in this public story.

[@bethgobel5687]

I have such mixed feelings about this. I can’t imagine how her adoptive parents felt.

[@QueenJaneway]

Swedish national radio has a great series on the same topic called "The family secret". I just love these kind of stories. I'm not adopted or anything like that. I guess I'm just a sentimental person lol.

[@rubykelley5581]

What a beautiful story.

[@Snewsnaija]

It's better to be adopted than to grow in a violent home or in chaos or deserted. A lot people have never been adopted and they moved on in life and their parents never showed up.

[@debbiecooper1677]

wow you look just like him. I wish you guys all the best . from Charleston SC.U.S.A

[@ernestoavalos6321]

I took a test 3 years ago and I was able to find my mom´s half siblings on her dad´s side of the family... we went to meet them from Guadalajara to LA and we have been in touch since then...my mom was able to visint my grandpa´s cript for the very first time in her life. I can´t tell you the blessing that this has been and the impact it has had in our family, the healing has been profound... ♥

[@AncestryUS]

That's amazing, Ernesto! We are so pleased to learn of your families journey since taking this test and want to wish you all the best going forward as you build on the connections you have made. 😊

[@zacharycooney6436]

As an adoptee i love this

[@reneezaia]

Beautiful story 💝

[@dawnedawe5337]

Fabulous story

[@vibrantscolor]

Your like twins, a great story ❤❤

[@hollydisanto9148]

Awe, so heartwarming. 💕

[@genevievekelly4998]

Great story ❤

[@lmc2375]

That was a tear jerker. Happy for Marie- Anne. Glad it went so well. I wish they had said more about her mother. And does she really have no way to find her actual birthdate? Wasn't clear on that.

[@marykelly9698]

I totally believe your precious mum had control in this meeting now she can rest in peace ❤ im so happy for yous ❤if you dye your hair back to brown you will look like your mum and a real italian 😂❤

[@kkhawk53]

Beautiful

[@sandymacdonald4810]

Beautiful ♥♥♥

[@candykane4271]

How exciting to find out your Italian! And have a sister. This was a great show!

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks so much for stopping by, Candy! We love to hear you are enjoying the show.

[@constanzalenza1765]

OMG I'm really happy for you ❤ you'll have an amazing live full of love and family. You deserve it. I send you a big hug and enjoy your new family. (Sorry about my english haha) ❤❤❤❤

[@AncestryUS]

We're so glad you enjoyed this insight into Marie- Anne's journey. 😊

[@genevajustice2114]

I wish I could find out who I am and where I came from, I found out that I was adopted when I was 30 and I’ll be 64 soon and I still have no answers about who my birth mother and my birth father are

[@AncestryUS]

Hi Geneva, thanks for stopping by. Have you done the AncestryDNA test? While the test doesn't build family trees, it can be an amazing resource in getting started with your research. It will provide an ethnicity estimate as well as a list of DNA matches. The matches will consist of anyone you share DNA with who has also taken our test and they can range from close family to fifth cousins. Contacting and working with your matches can be a great way to potentially get more information about your family. You can buy a kit directly from us by heading over to www.ancestry.com/dna/

[@Davidg65]

Don't give up

[@laurietijerina3816]

She didn't inherit the Italian accent though. But, it's fine. 😅 I'm glad she found her dad. 😊

[@manxkin]

How do you inherit an accent?

[@debbieking4532]

I found my grandmother's birth family through DNA...amazing

[@AncestryUS]

How wonderful, Debbie! Have you had a chance to chat with any of them?

[@debbieking4532]

@AncestryUS a second cousin, she sent me a ton of pictures. One of a 3rd great grandmother that is almost identical to my mother.

[@debbieking4532]

Now if I could find my half sister..

[@AncestryUS]

Thanks for getting back to us, Debbie. It's wonderful to hear that you've been able to connect with a relative that could share family photos with you. This said, we certainly understand your desire to find your half sister too. Taking part in our DNA database is a good starting point for this, as she would show up as a close match if she decided to take part in the service. If she has any children they may also show as matches, hence remember to look out for those slightly more distant matches too. We appreciate you sharing a little of your journey with us and wish you all the best with your continuous search!

[@user-qg7nw9si6r]

I can't wait to find out my family's story. I also feel like I don't belong in my family.

[@juliewagner6854]

My grandma was adopted as a baby and never wanted to know who her biological parents were. I would like to know just for genetic reasons.

[@Lewielewie8]

My mother left my wife beating father when I was two . She left her 6 kids with him , as a result we were put up for adoption Long story short- 30 years later I got a private investigator to find my mum . He found her and I jumped in a plane to see her When we met I felt nothing for this stranger unfortunately. No love , no warmth no nothing I see videos of families reuniting and wonder why I was so different. I jumped on the plane back home 2 days later and never contacted her again

[@rosameryrojas-delcerro1059]

I have two main brick walls I would like to deal with, but Ancestry puts international records behind an unaffordable paywall.

[@janehelbert7551]

You do look like your dad!

[@siriosstar4789]

This makes no sense . how does one feel loss if they have no memory of ever having had something . my father left when i was a baby , so i have zero memory of the event . i never felt i was missing anything becuse for all practical purpose i never had anything . i did however locate him when i was about 45 and the first meeting was like being introduced to a complete stranger . he was quite emotional but i felt nothing . we did strike up a great friendship and visited each other frequently but that was it.

[@Furienna]

It is clearly implied that she couldn't connect with her adoptive family.

[@patricksanders858]

They have the same laugh!

[@gaeun-xw7kz]

Hello so when i found out im 2% japanese i told my friend about ky results and she told me im half japanese cause my moms half japanese she said so i got confused cause some of my ancestors have more japanese in their dna than i do so does the 2%not matter and makes my mom half or quarter or 1 fourth japanese?

[@AncestryUS]

Hello アキ(aki) emily! Thanks for taking part in AncestryDNA. We regret any confusion and will be happy to provide some insights. What we analyze is your autosomal DNA, which you have inherited in equal parts from both of your parents, randomly from one generation to the next. You have inherited half of your mother's DNA, which parts is random. Your maternal relatives may have inherit other bits of DNA from your common ancestors, meaning their DNA results would likely be different from yours. If your mother took a DNA test she may also not show up as 50% Japanese, for instance if her ancestors came from other locations too. Remember that our test reaches about 500 - 1000 years back in time. We can recommend reviewing the articles below for further insights: How DNA is inherited: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Understanding-Inheritance Unexpected Ethnicity Results: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Unexpected-Ethnicity-Results We hope this is helpful!

[@selflovediva]

If your mom is half Japanese, you'd be roughly a quarter but the amount can range. If your DNA results say you are 2% that's far less than quarter. I'd be looking at what else is there.

[@deborahbaker4770]

I knew she would say that she looks Italian That is a weird last name to have when you’re Italian ‼️‼️

[@recipesandsongs8050]

Heres a challenge- try doing indian ancestries. One way to start would be get your hands on the looong looong generational records the peiests keep and have kept through 100 generations. I know i have burmese and egyptian (misr) in my ancestry. But when, i dont know

[@blazefairchild465]

They look alike .

[@tbthom7691]

They have the same squinty right eye.

[@MICHAELCAMPBELL69]

It’s says you are Italian and Greek mostly so how does that make you Italian?

[@MrJking065]

Take it from me. It can go horribly wrong. You find out your bio parent's threw you away and they do not want their trash back.

[@spider46531]

You didnt have a father?! You had a father. Unless you were abused you had parents! But you said you had a loving family. You had a daddy. If they knew about your problems accepting being adopted then you needed to see someone for help. But dont ever say you didnt have a father. That is so hurtful to the person that was there to tuck you in. and do everything a daddy does

[@franciet99]

Have a beautiful day.

[@user-uz1lf7no5m]

I agree with you❤

[@getprettyfit1997]

She looks like her father. They even hold their mouths the same.

[@flokibabic4955]

I will leave this world without knowing who my dad is 😭😢 I've done 3 DNA tests, nothing came up. Have a living mother and she won't tell me, therefore not speaking with me bcuz of that....she tells me I'm awful daughter....

[@AncestryUS]

We're so sorry to hear that, Floki. Have you tried reaching out to your DNA matches or sorting them out? Perhaps you may find these tips helpful here: support.ancestry.com/s/article/Finding-Biological-Family?language=en_US

[@roxyroxieroxann]

Happy you found your family. Jesus Christ was the one who did it for you.

[@Odo55]

Oh look out for those Italian taxi drivers in Perth. Was this another way to pay for your fare ?

[@rachaelnichter5525]

she seems to have ZERO appreciation for the people who adopted her. her adopted parents are her REAL parents. marie anne is a shame

[@selflovediva]

I didn't get that at all. As an adoptee I understand that as wonderful as the yay be there is just a missing piece, an incompleteness

[@franciet99]

Have a beautiful day.❤

[@FourSeasons04]

I sensed that too, so I wonder how she was raised and what her relationship was with her parents or other family members. She made a comment about feeling like a guest. I find that odd.

[@buzzlightyear3715]

Just pronoun your dad's name correctly, unlike the Ancestry guy.

[@ShowingUStuff]

Well, i guess she did some crying, i know i did...