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Top tip - using the Genes Reunited community

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Long lost

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Joanne

Joanne Report 16 Oct 2010 12:10

My uncle Jim, who was like a father to me, had a son from a previous marriage (also called James) who had emigrated to Australia at 4 years old with his mother and step-family. It was kept private and I had no knowledge of this other family until I was grown up. This son intrigued me - I felt he was like the brother I never had. After my uncle and aunt died, I tried to trace him but I had no contact details or any information on where he was in Australia. I had been trying for years and getting nowhere. Then I contacted Geoff on Genes reunited, who was a distant relative on that side of the family and, among other family chat, I mentioned that I was trying to trace James Watkiss, my long-lost "brother". Unbeknown to me, Geoff is in Australia and simply looked up the name Watkiss and sent me the details! There were only 10 or so, as apparently it is a rare name there. He even rang up the likeliest contact and found him for me in TWO DAYS! We are now exchanging emails and pictures and will be meeting for the very first time in November! Thank you Geoff!