Steve Hartman finds the family that he never knew he had

When Steve Hartman took a DNA test, he discovered a family he never knew he had. "On the Road" reporter and his producer Roxanne Feitel join CBSN to discuss the surprising discovery.

[@melaniegreen1311]

I never get tired of watching Steve Hartman's stories.

[@xjcrossx]

He's awesome. I love him as a story teller. Such good, uplifting stories he brings.

[@maliaferry8212]

I had a friend in grade school-Highscool, named Katie Heartman and her older brother was Ben, I wonder if this is the same family?

[@gerdaremy1088]

AWESOME COMFORT and JOY !

[@el7jake]

@@maliaferry8212 Probably not, if the surname wasn't spelled the same as Steve's.

[@cpmow831]

He’s got some good ones!

[@luciemedici]

‘Apples that fell off the tree and rolled away’ 😂

[@Lisa-kf4iu]

I loved that woman!

[@sreggird60]

That is something my older sister would have said.

[@bluegrasshack3810]

7/5/24: Love that expression, too!

[@bacino2552]

Steve has a great attitude & embraces the truth which is what he needs to be a reporter/ investigator. It is what it is - America.

[@toddstein5407]

the uncle's description of the grandfather: HILARIOUS. Great story

[@acehart9270]

I laughed when the uncle rated the grandfather's character D minus! That was a good one!!

[@51Saffron]

My grandfather was rated an F. My Nan told me that a neighbor came over and told my Nan that my grandfather was sleeping with the lady down the road, she told her, don't worry, so is your husband. He would get into fights at the bar, go out for a packet of cigarettes and come home a few days later. This was decades ago. When he died, my mother and Nan went to arrange the funeral in another state. Found out his daughter was arranging it, a daughter nobody knew about.

[@toddstein5407]

@@51Saffron Yours sounds worse than Steve Hartman's

[@Brucev7]

"PaPa Was a Rolling Stone. Wherever he laid his hat was his home" kzbin.info/www/bejne/pInMgqd6asyWfrc

[@mdb2879]

*He is so descrete yet tender I would like to hug him as if I could let him make up for all the lost time. This guy deserves all the love from his new family*

[@evan4672003]

Yes he does. He's a really sweet guy.

[@bethelle9099]

Steve is one of the best that CBS has produced. I hope that this new chapter Steve, only brings you happiness and comfort. We are all of the same family tree.......human.....

[@luciemedici]

‘Went out for St Patty’s and came back 3 days later ‘😂 All families have their stories ❤️ it’s what makes us human

[@WulfricTheBlack]

Lucie Medici It’s actually St Paddy’s day. 😉 Patty=Patricia.... Paddy=Patrick

[@bigjake2295]

St. Patrick’s Day: the official holiday. ☘️ St.Paddy’s Day: the unofficial Rite of Spring. 🍺🥳😵

[@reneeduffy84]

Wait !!! Was grandpa a PHILADELPHIA MUMMER ?? Cause that can explain why he came home 3 days later . Lol

[@Brucev7]

"PaPa Was a Rolling Stone. Wherever he laid his hat was his home" kzbin.info/www/bejne/pInMgqd6asyWfrc

[@cpmow831]

@@WulfricTheBlack it’s still funny, Grammar Commander.

[@deejaystump]

Everyone needs a Steve Hartman in their lives. Really enjoy following this guy makes me cry makes me feel happy to be myself

[@sherriedentley600]

His segments are my favorite. They are always so touching.

[@batya7]

My dad was adopted. With DNA testing, I found his bio-mom's family and they embraced me. I'm 90% certain who the dad was. Records were murkier in the 1930s.

[@evan4672003]

That good to hear people finding family they never knew. Congratulations enjoy your new family.

[@JMC01644]

I’m finding the exact same thing! My mom was born in 1933 and unfortunately I completely forgot to have her take a DNA test before she passed away in 2018. I was just not in the right frame of mind at that time. I’m doing my best with what I have but it’s not much to go on at this point. I’m so glad that records have improved so much since then though. Good luck on your search!

[@sooz9433]

Two years later I come across this story and I am amazed. I love Steve Hartman and his stories and now his children too. Life is full of surprises, some good, some not so good and I guess a lot of it is in exactly how you see it. Thank you for sharing your story with the World Steve Hartman. 🧡💛🧡💜

[@sheafamily3]

just love Steve's stories... always look forward to them.

[@nunyabiznez6381]

I found no surprises in my tree as I've been researching if for 44 years. But my cousin who was adopted and never knew her birth parents took a DNA test got the shock of her life. It turns out that her adopted parents were in reality her biological parents. Further research showed that her parents were 16 and 13 when my cousin was born and their parents all forced them to give my cousin up for adoption. A few years later they were married and were doing OK financially so they looked for their daughter and discovered she was still living in the orphanage so they adopted her but kept the true nature of their relationship with their daughter a secret because most of the extended family had no idea that they had a baby at such an early age then gave it up for adoption. Sadly my cousin's parents, my Dad's aunt and uncle, passed away years before. Still my cousin no longer has to wonder who her "real" family are as she'd been with them all along. We all loved her before we knew she was our biological relative. Imagine how confused I was when I was sitting there with my cousin at my kitchen table showing her how to open up the test results and told her how to tell the testing company that she did indeed want contact with her newly discovered relatives and three seconds after she hit the send button an email pops up for me and it's that company telling me I have a new relative to say hello to. We both did a double take. It actually took us a few months to unravel the whole thing.

[@rridderbusch518]

@nunya biznez Wow! That's an incredible story! Never heard of one like that ever. Sweet, too :-)

[@veganworldpeace2649]

💯🥰💌💓😍☺️

[@serena7397]

Lucky Man! Lucky new family! I'm not sure how I would react to a new-found family. Steve's additude is so welcoming.

[@bobina05]

My mom always loved watching Steve's segments and I myself have enjoyed a number of his stories. He seems like a real mensch. I'm happy to hear he's been able to suss out his family tree.

[@sunshineland]

1:39 I think Steve actually resembles his grandfather. And at 0:43 I think his mom looks like the daughter on the upper left.

[@hartcoronet9968]

I was also thinking that his mom looked like that daughter. It sounds like Steve had a lot of fun with this, doesn't it? He now has some great new relatives with terrific senses of humor.

[@pbocaiuva]

Yes, she absolutely does!

[@AC-qi9wo]

You can see how much he look's like his mother's family.

[@eliasmd2003able]

This is one of my favorite Steve Hartman stories.

[@coolkoreamag]

Steve is truly a national treasure, my goshhhhh I always love love love to watch his segments but THIS ONE about himself is gold. Congrats on your new family and thank you for what you do :)

[@danadmb41]

I’m crying and so happy for you Steve! Everything works together for good.

[@MrRugbyprop1]

Steve looks a lot like his Grandfather.

[@LQOTW]

ikr?

[@douglasw9624]

have been researching genealogy for many years and a couple years back had a gal contact me about a great uncle of mine I knew well (not blood related...married my great aunt). Said she thought her grandmother was his daughter. Told her I didnt think so cause he had no children until she produced the birth certificate and it was 100% true. Apparently as a young man he had a liaison with a girl that resulted in a child. Oddly I had hung onto a lot of his family stuff because as far as I knew he had no descendants...sent her a package of a lot of things. Funny thing was I called my dads cousin (last of the generation) and asked if he knew anything about my great uncle having a child...after some hemming and hawing he admitted he knew ha ha. The family just didnt talk about it.

[@gingerhiser7312]

"liaison with a girl" is that a euphemism for statutory rape?

[@Magazinelady]

Congratulations, Steve! You have new family members to correspond with. You were fortunate to have Roxanne who was quite persistent. Awesome story!

[@marydonohoe8200]

SWEET!! Persistence and love. The best of humanity. Thanks to all on this story, but especially Steve.

[@donnamariedemaio]

So wonderful! Steve Hartman's stories always fill my heart with joy! 💙 💛

[@geisalagordon9966]

This was so awesome! Congrats, Steve.

[@rckstein1057]

Steve always has the best stories, it's good that he had such an interesting one to tell about himself!

[@checle4499]

Congratulations Steve - your journey will only continue to fascinate you. I have a similar situation. Although my mother knew her mother, her father was a mystery that she didn't care to delve into. She's gone now but, through DNA testing, I have narrowed the list down to three different men in the same family. Hopefully, for Steve, and myself, more people will test and help narrow things down a little further. In either case, love them all.

[@bophreyhumgart2953]

I'm sure that if Steve's "new" relatives weren't watching his show before this show, they are now.

[@oiaiofoster4775]

That is So Awesome that Roxanne did that for Steve. She is So Kind 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👏🏻

[@cmck2021]

Steve looks like that grandfather. A beautiful story!

[@kurtjackberhalter1537]

Steve’s family is precious!

[@cynthiahonorio9758]

Steve, your story is so heartwarming to watch. I probably will not find a similar one during my late Dad's family reunion next month April 2023. Thank you.

[@deborahjohnson7187]

I found a half brother I never knew I had. We met and we love talking! It was a true joy!

[@elifineart]

Very nice man and good reporter, Happy Passover Steve.

[@DarknessFalls29]

I'm so glad that Steve was able to find a section of his family he knew nothing about. I always wonder why people keep these types of secrets? All it does is create hurt (for some) and eventually just stares you right back in the face. I don't know...

[@2legit64]

Steve's mom was gorgeous!!!

[@stevegrimes5105]

Love Steve he is so open and has such humility

[@trudylouis5433]

My DNA results lead to the discovery that my nephew has a daughter and two grandchildren he knew nothing about. Her biological mother and my nephew were only together for a short time and she gave the baby up for adoption without notifying my nephew.

[@LQOTW]

Trudy Louis - I suspect there are many, many stories out there like his.

[@rahannneon]

One of my new relatives was from a cousin whose girlfriend never let him know, complicated by the divorce and adoption by a step-father of his own, and his death a few years later. His daughter shows up and gives us answers to a few genetic questions we didn't even know to ask.

[@kathleenphelps9872]

I would love for Steve to go on Finding Your Roots. I thank what you learn would be amazing!

[@blackmownkey]

I'd love to see him go on the PBS show, Finding your Roots with Skip Gates.

[@teachermoestadjap3689]

I love Steve Hartman's voice.

[@Lisa_MS64]

How lucky to get Steve Hartman as a relative??

[@Carballoca]

I’ve got ggf’s that were from preachers to counterfeiters in my family tree...🤣🤣🤣

[@lizabethgussman331]

Any that were both?🤣

[@CarmenD118]

I've taken this journey for years on my own, then with my sister, and it is what it is, happy, funny, sad, and upsetting at times. It's our history.😊

[@evan4672003]

I'm happy for Steve that's great that he met new family members. Congratulations Steve enjoy your new family.

[@zzzroxyzzz]

I'm adopted out of a really bad situation, birth father is dead, birth mother.. Idon't want to bring it back up when she's hopefully recovered, I don't know much about them other than ages, but I would give anything to be able to afford a dna test, I know for most it's doable, for us, money is tight and I'd feel guilty putting it to that and not food in the pantry. I just want to not feel so empty.

[@Love-tv5bs]

Story made my day. Thank you

[@eligebrown8998]

Congrats on finding your family. My family is from every where else to. Never a dull moment.

[@madreep]

I took a test more than a year ago and found out that my dad wasn't my biological father. I didn't grow up knowing my mom so learning that about my dad was devastating. Both of my parents are deceased. I have been trying to figure out who my biological father is for almost two years and it's driving me crazy. It's hard work and I'm no closer today than I was when I started.

[@kathe.o.]

Madree, Some cans of worms are Pandora Boxes NOT meant to be open. Be careful.

[@stevenevangelist5221]

Maybe start out with your heritage.

[@JLPlumber]

This was very interesting, and fascinating at the same time! Love your stories Steve!

[@danielpalma1426]

Thanks for sharing the lovely story.

[@thetndixie]

As an adopted child, I went to court and had my birth records opened about 35 years ago! My biological parents got married after I was born. Seeing and knowing your ancestorial heritage is truly a wonderful thing.♥️

[@ReflectedMiles]

“The police told her it was a scam.” Of course they did, on the same basis of investigative integrity and treatment of others which they expect the American public to accept unquestioned.

[@Jlind9335]

Great Story. Thanks for telling it.

[@kathe.o.]

Steve, Wonderful attitude.

[@maddygutierrez7985]

This is adorable. Steve you look like your Uncle. Sweet story.

[@Qlachingaga]

What a wonderful story ♥️🌹♥️ Thank you for bringing your story to us. 🙏🏻 I did my heritage DNA also and found interesting facts. Everyone should do theirs. I absolutely recommend it! ♥️ Nancy

[@louisemurray9282]

Wonderful! Fantastic Story! X From Northern Ireland!

[@Gary-xg9px]

Very cool for Steve Hartman after all the stories and people that he has interviewed on his On The Road assignments. Neat. Happy for Steve. Nice guy.😁🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲✌

[@brendawade9853]

Thanks so much for sharing your sweet family journey. Well, sweet or not. It’s yours. And it’s interesting to those of us who love your stories. 💙

[@merlinsclaw]

Wonderful piece. Mazel Tov, Steve. 💖

[@marujaa1]

Steve Hartman. You are a great story teller. And I loved your personal story. What fascinating story it is.

[@Anne--Marie]

This is awesome!

[@chrisp1355]

Great story!

[@leesher1845]

Beautiful story

[@mepixxie]

Im so happy for you. I love watching your videos... they are a constant reminder that *this* too shall pass... and you never know what's on the other she.

[@krismartikris4834]

I am happy for you on finding your family. I work on my family tree most days, and discovered early in the process that people are people - good, bad or indifferent, and to not be surprised at what I find. I also believe that since my ancestors were human, I have to be mature enough to deal with the 'icky' parts of their lives - and trust me, some things... A distant cousin was unhappy I added information regarding a crime committed in 1750 and the resulting punishment to my tree - it didn't end well for the ancestor. I told her it was a fact, I have court documents and no matter how much I wish it were not true, it happened and there is nothing I can do to change any part of it. I just didn't want anyone to think this man lived a longer than he had.

[@mississippimud7046]

Yeah these tests are interesting fun and sometimes reveal long hidden secrets that our family members never could have imagined would ever been found out .

[@superdon1chw]

Wonderful story

[@ginadodds2695]

Steve, I cried watching that video. How surprised you must have been!!!

[@The1ByTheSea]

If Steve Hartman's mother later own married and had more children he might have half siblings.Would a DNA test tell who exactly is the mother ? are any of the 4 women living ?

[@kmm129]

Happy tears for sure.

[@suz0000]

Love it!

[@dawnchristine1438]

What a great story! Your so lucky .

[@carmelaszymanski8232]

What A Charm To Find Out About Family. Good..Or Different.. What. A True Love Story.. Bless you Sir.. Thank You for Sharing With Our Sunday Morning Family.. 🤗💖🐱XOXO

[@amaraland1]

Very cool story 😊

[@GR-ji9fw]

Beautiful!

[@maddyhayes617]

The same kind of thing happened on my mom's side of the family. By an amazing story we found lost relatives from Italy and Austraila. Years ago they came to upstate NY to visit. What an amazing reunion👍🙏❤🙂

[@debbesumner8921]

How wonderful! 😊

[@whaat4]

Wow what a great story I like listening to Steve Hartman stories

[@nancyhilliard1634]

What a good story ❤️

[@rocknroller77]

Love Steve. Seems like he has a great personality

[@DiyintheGhetto]

No matter how many stories you read and see online or real life about family. And To know you have family in other parts of the country or world it's great to fulfill your life with family also friends.

[@johnnybates7580]

Too cool!

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

I'm glad that I did my Ancestry test back in 2014, and have found out some cool information about my African Ancestry.

[@kellypoole3791]

Same

[@LQOTW]

BUTLERU - That is so cool - congrats! I think it would be interesting to find out I had family heritage no one knew about.

[@AuthorLHollingsworth]

@@LQOTW I agree.

[@diegogarcia-ud7ii]

Steve Hartman"s personal story is just as much interesting as the stories he reports, maybe more.

[@MidlandTexan]

What a cool story Steve!

[@samanthab1923]

Love this story 😘

[@jennifermarcum2231]

I love Steve's stories

[@susanne9602]

What a gift!

[@MAKEOVERGUY]

Hi Steve. Wasn't it just yesterday at KSTP? :)

[@lyndacarter5090]

KSTP in Minneapolis?

[@davidjames3126]

Wow.. Mr. Hartman what a journey 👍🙏👍❤️

[@paulettekay4313]

I am sooo happy for you.

[@hebneh]

When I was about 55 years old, a man I'd known for years remarked to someone else - in my presence - that his aunt was the daughter of my grandfather. I don't know if my father ever knew he had a half-sister or if he just denied it; he had died by the time I found out. She had been born when he was 23 and his parents were separated. About 6 months after this revelation, a coworker told me her family had been told that her grandmother was the daughter of my great-uncle, the brother of my grandfather. I know; it's complicated. I had never had even the slightest idea of any of this.

[@SleepyArcticBirds-ft4lb]

Some of us have no journey at all if you’ve been widowed and orphaned. 😢

[@ted1091]

In this case, anyone would be happy to be related to Steve Hartman.

[@524FrmGrl]

Steve you keep doing what you are doing.

[@collinreesejones5525]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS so hilarious STEVE!!!! 😍😂🤣😁😙

[@laladell]

Love Steve!!!!!