These two guys have been pals for more than 60 years before discovering that they were actually brothers.
Walter Macfarlane and Alan Robinson grew up together in Honolulu, Hawaii and went on vacations with their families as adults. The pair decided to research their family histories when they were already in their 70s, as neither were raised by their birth parents—Alan was adopted, and Walter did not know who his father was. After using a DNA website, though, the life-long friends found out that they shared a birth mother. Once the answers came, the duo realized why they shared such a deep bond.
When a single mother of two and one on the way, Lydia Fairchild, ran into financial problems, she decided to apply for government assistance. According to the media, the woman was asked to take a DNA test to confirm that the children were hers. The results suggested that the kids she gave birth to… were in fact her nephews. When giving birth to her third child, Lydia decided to have a government witness present, and the DNA test was performed instantly. Again, the results showed that she was an aunt of the baby. Finally, scientists learned that Lydia was actually a chimera, meaning that she had absorbed her twin while still in the womb. Thus, it was her twin’s DNA that showed up in DNA results.
A family mystery of more than 100 years was solved by an online DNA test. Alice Collins Plebuch is a woman who identified as Irish American; however, the mail-in DNA test revealed a surprising truth—a mix of European Jewish, Middle Eastern, and Eastern European genes were found in her results. Having conducted family-wide DNA testing later, Alice learned that her father wasn’t the biological child of her grandparents. Further research finally revealed that her father had been sent home from the hospital with the wrong family.
The Maneages family had three children but wanted a fourth, so they adopted a 10-year-old girl named Elliana from China. The girl was diagnosed with a brain disorder. When they arrived home, the family shared their story with another family—the Galbierz—who went to the same church and had also adopted a daughter from China, Kinley, who had a similar brain disorder. The families decided to test their DNA, only to find out that the girls have a 99.9% match of being sisters.
This one is not that strange. The adoptive parents both adopted from China, lived in the same town, and more than likely, used the same adoption agency- or if different agencies, those companies could have used the same means to place the children. Easy to see them coming from the same area- especially given the treatment of China to its people- particularly girl children.
A man named Steve Dennis was adopted as a toddler, and only in his teenage years did he find out that he was abandoned in a phone booth in Lancaster, Ohio after he was born. Back in the mid-'50s, two men discovered baby Steve inside a phone booth, put in a cardboard box, with blankets wrapped around him and a milk bottle nearby. However, no one found out who did it. More than 6 decades later, Steve’s children began showing interested in their heritage, so he submitted his DNA to the Ancestry.com website. The website was able to track Steve’s cousin, and then his half-sister, who told him about his birth mother. Turns out, she was 85 years old and was living in Baltimore, Maryland. It took some time for the woman to remember the precise details, but she recalled giving birth at 18. She said Steve’s father convinced her to do it, as he promised to marry her if she did. However, soon enough, he left and his whereabouts are unknown.
Imagine the surprise of two British women when their ancestry revealed Native American genes. Especially so when they knew that no members of their family had been to America. Finally, Doreen Isherwood and Anne Hall learned that they are descendants of Native Americans who were brought to the United Kingdom hundreds of years ago. They might’ve been brought here as slaves, translators, or tribal representatives, according to BBC
Yes, I know Pocahontas was brought to England, although she didn't love long thereafter. I'm sure other Native Americans were brought, too, to act in shows like Buffalo Bill's. What a terrible thing to do to such dignified people, dragging them so far from home and then using them as a money-making device! That's just speculation on my part, but I've read about the Wild West shows that toured Europe, so I'm sure they included natives.
A woman named Kelli Rowlette was perfectly aware she wasn’t related to her father, as her parents had used a sperm bank to conceive her. However, she wasn’t prepared for what the DNA testing showed. Apparently, the fertility doctor her parents worked with, Gerald Mortimer, used his own semen and was technically her father. Kelli has filed a lawsuit against the doctor, his wife, and his former medical group alleging “medical negligence, failure to obtain informed consent, fraud, battery, emotional distress, and breach of contract.”
When this happens, the scariest part is that these multiple children would be conceived and raised in the same area... and would then go to school together and BE IN THE SAME DATING POOL. The ultimate WTF moment when you find out your prom date is your half sibling...
Or worse, your spouse of ten years and parent of your three children
Load More Replies...This is shockingly common, my bff used as perm donor, but not the one she selected. Her doctor also fathered multiple children and a lawsuit is pending. Google Doctor Barwin in Ottawa Canada, hundreds of families effected
Can someone please tell me why he would do that? What did he hope to gain from this?
Like Jopie said, also some have a type of God complex
Load More Replies...I could see that in a movie : "b-b-but I dropped the semen sample accidentally and I had to replace it and I was in a rush and...". Ben Stiller could play that doctor, or if he's not available, Adam Sandler or Steve Carell could do the job.
The Backup Plan (except not a doctor, a drunk/jealous best friend) mediocre at best.
Load More Replies...This is similar to take as there was no consent. This Doctor has a real mental disorder. And this is not the only doctor to do this.
There was a Lifetime movie about this subject in the early 90s based on a true story. The fertility doctor used his own sperm for his patients without their consent. He had a genetic eye disease that was not very common, but it REALLY common in his area. I believe that's how he was found out, when all of these kids started showing up with a rare genetic condition all within the same area in a short time span.
Oh yeah, this. So, I understand that using your own sperm isn’t okay, but I don’t know why all the people are citing “emotional distress” and stuff - you went to a sperm bank, you get sperm. I remember with this case or a different one, all the people crying that their children could’ve dated and not known they were siblings so that’s why it’s so disgusting - except even if the doctor hasn’t used his own sperm, the kids could’ve still been siblings anyway. It’s not like sperm banks only use on sample of a person total.
The scariest part about donating sperm, at least in the USA, is that after having the child the mother can then sue the sperm donor for child support in many States.
Similar story in the series "Almost Family" and in the news recently
There was a big scandal at a US fertility clinic. The lead doctor was using his own sperm for all proceedures, and throwing away the sperm supplied by the intended fathers. The doctor decided that since he was a smart man with a few medical degrees, that he was the best choice for paternity. Despite the fact that he had several genetic medical problems. A lot of these children grew up in the same city, and all had the same genetic medical problems, including a relatively rare eye problem. Requiring ALL of the children to goto the same eye specialist. A lot of the women noticed that that their children looked similar, and got chatting in the waiting room... court cases insued. Dozens of children involved.
Her parents chose to go to get someone else’s sperm so why is she suing him? It had to come from someone’s ball sack, why not decent DNA from a doctor?
HBO just released a documentary about this called “Baby God.” It was about Dr. Quincy Fortier, who did this in Las Vegas from the 1940s to the 1980s. It was pretty sick. https://www.hbo.com/documentaries/baby-god
Same thing happened over here in the Netherlands, the doctor fathred hundreds of babies.
:( when men love to spread their sperm around the world ... beware of intoxification = inbreeding
the uh... hypocrites oath? Lol u mean Hippocratic Oath. Hypocrites oath would be very different.
Load More Replies...Rich Bodager, a Las Vegas local, was adopted back in 1968 and wanted to learn about his biological parents. He submitted DNA to the 23andMe website and its test produced a surprising result. As it turned out, someone else in the database of the company was related to Rich—and that person was his granddaughter, which he knew was impossible. The “granddaughter” finally reached out to him. As they later found out, she was his half-sister and she had been looking for him for 15 years.
Imagine the confusion of parents who were told that the blood type of their son didn’t match their own. To conceive him, the couple went to a fertility clinic. After finding out that the genetic material of their son didn’t match theirs, they feared that there was a terrible lab mix-up. Finally, the couple used 23andMe to go through genetic genealogy testing. According to it, the child’s father was actually his… uncle. Apparently, the real father must have been a twin, albeit a chimera. That means that a twin absorbed the cells from the other offspring after he died in the womb.
Andrea Ramirez used a DNA test kit because she wanted to find out more about the history of her Mexican ancestry. However, not only did the results show that she wasn’t Mexican at all, but that the man she called dad wasn’t even her father. The woman looked at the potential family members in the 23andMe database and found a possible match of a half-sister and half-brother. Andrea later found out that her parents had used donor sperm to conceive her. She reached out to the matches and found her half-sister, Jennifer Rose Jones, who had been conceived at the same clinic as Andrea. The DNA showed that they shared the same father, and are now attempting to find him.
She was still culturally Mexican though. People shouldn't overstate the importance of genetics in what is, above all, a matter of cultural legacy.
I found out my father isn't my birth dad. Apparently my mother got pregnant by the neighborhood boy and she ran off with the circus, met my "dad", told him he got her pregnant and tricked him into believing I was his. I learned this through a DNA test, and she filled in the blanks. Sad thing is that both of my "dads" suck.
It's hard to figure out if someone will be good for yourself, even harder if they will make a good parent. I learned this the hard way. I hope you have a good relationship with your mom.
Load More Replies...I find the chimera cases really interesting. Is anyone else wondering how many times chimerism and mosaicism has effed up crime investigations?
Probably virtually nothing compared to failed justice resulting from incompetence, bias and nonsense legal system.
Load More Replies...I read a long Ask Reddit post about this once, some pretty amusing/shocking stories. One of the funniest things was all these Americans finding out that the family story about having Native American heritage was complete bullshit. Apparently it's quite a thing over there. I also think that sperm donors need some kind of non-identifying code attached, so that when people grow up and start dating they can make sure they don't inadvertently date a half sibling. I've definitely read multiple stories about that happening.
It sure is! I was told I am Indigenous. I was even told my grandfather was raised on a reservation and changed his last time when he became an adult. Lo and behold, I am as European white as they come.
Load More Replies...I actually enjoy the transparency of DNA tests. There is no more sweep-it-under-the-rug, like the 50's. Once everyone realizes how much is actually going on, it removes some stigma and lets kids grow up in a more honest place.
I agree, not to mention that from a health point of view it is super important to be aware of your lineage because of hereditary diseases and the like.
Load More Replies...My first thought is always how many people find out s**t they didn't want to know, lol! Like how you're uncle is your dad or your older sister is actually your mom. Awkward family gatherings are a definite potential side effect.
It always bothers me how much people try to hide things. If everyone were honest, they would realize everyone is just as f****d as everyone else.
Load More Replies...This is why I specifically looked for birth records and followed the female line in my ancestry search. The males were added, but I'm sure that a lot of them were fathers, but not necessarily biological fathers.
That's the smart way to go about genealogy. The average rate of a false paternity event is historically around 1 to 2 % per generation and accumulates to a much higher percentage the farther you go back along the male line. After they found the skeleton of Richard III. of England in 2011, some DNA tests were done on descendants to confirm it was really him. (It was, as confirmed by the female line descendants) But they found a false paternity event along the male line and when they tried to find out where along the line it had occured they found another one!
Load More Replies...I look just like my dad and my brother looks just like my mom. My daughter looks just like her dad since birth. My son looked like NOBODY his first couple of months and his eyes were so dark you couldn't even identify a color. If I hadn't birthed him and never left his sight in the hospital I would have thought he wasn't mine. Now he totally takes after me.
In Sweden, according to a 2001 article, 3000 children have another father than the one they thought they had. Considering that Sweden has a population of about 8 million at the time, that isnt that insignificant. Source: https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/G1QAl6/3-000-barn-far-fel-pappa-varje-ar
We found out my dad's biological father was a high ranking Nazi assigned to oversee operations at Chelmno camp. When the camp was liberated, he evaded arrest by allied forces and took illegal refuge in the U.S.. He was discovered in Memphis in 1952 and extradited back to Europe where he was tried for his war crimes. Thank God my grandma only had a one night stand with this guy. Things would be pretty awkward during Hanukkah.
Not quite the same, but I have never understood why some parents do not tell their children the truth. My mum was married very young and had me. Her and her husband split and while he went to jail she met someone else before I was 1 (who I know as 'dad'). This man raised me but not once was I ever made to think he was my real father and I respect my parents for that. When my biological father's family decided to get in touch when I was 12 behind my mother's back I already knew everything. They assumed mum wouldn't have told me the truth and tried to ruin our family but due to their honesty I was never under any false illusions. The truth may not be pretty, but if the child grows up knowing no different then they will not be broken/psychologically damaged if they find out the truth later on.
I love your story!!! The truth is just so much easier in the long run.
Load More Replies...I found out my paternal heritage is completely different from what I had always been told, which was quite a shock. I also found the daughter of my brother who was given for adoption before I was born. These tests can bring wonderful and exciting news, but will also destroy countless families and lives.
Not as shocking as some of these, but I grew up being told that our family is a hodgepodge of UK/European ancestry: English, French, German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh. When my mom took a DNA test I was devastated to learn that we're all of those things...except Welsh. Goodbye, dragon flag, I loved thee dearly. In a world of stripes and crosses you alone represented the potential for badass heraldry.
I'm not Welsh, but I still love the red dragon. I also am well-versed in the Mabinogion.
Load More Replies...If you want to keep believing that your parents are your parents and your sister is your sister, then don't take DNA tests. Simples.
I found a cousin whom my aunt had given up for adoption when she was really young and whom I knew nothing about. It turns out that he's in the same business as our grandfather and has a lot of similarities to him. Genetics are really weird.
My great uncle did 23 n me, and found out that he had a daughter and 2 granddaughters back from when he was much younger, and never knew about, and they also happened to live in town! We got to meet them and they both were so glad to meet each other after not knowing for so long
No, but I just looked it up and will be heading out to get a copy soon. Thanks for the tip, it looks fascinating!
Load More Replies...I was sent into foster care at birth, as many Native American mothers were coerced into giving up their children to the State. My mother never even held me at that time. These DNA tests have been a boon to those of us seeking our relatives. I reunited with the family at the age of 48. -Rev Dr M
Just found out I have a half brother. I welcomed him with open arms and I wish my other siblings will. It takes time I guess, it's a process for some people. Not for me, I jump on with open we're and open arms. Thanks 23andme.
My case: My dad lives in the US and I in Venezuela. He used to travel here and there. My mom got pregnant and here I am. He never acknowledged me and even flatout denied me. Im 40 now. He should be on his 75. I have 5 brothets that are all his sons. I found them via facebook and they couldnt believe it. They asked me in disbelief (rightfully so) for a dna test and I sent it. It came positive. Now all of them blocked me/hate me/threathened me that I should have never bothered contacting them and more nonsense. Im 40 YO now. Should I stop trying to get in contact with him? I have not spoke to him directly (they dont let him, and they say he denies everything).
He had a one night stand with your mum so yeah I get why they blocked you. He’s bot your father, in theory yes but he’s more a sperm donor. A father is who raises you. They don’t need this nor did they want it so why would you want to keep pushing it?
Load More Replies...I can't help but feel this is really going to blow up into a huge mess one day. There are few if any laws, and often the Drs aren't caught until they've retired, so malpractice doesn't have the fear factor it normally would
I took an ancestry DNA test to find out how much Italian I had since my dad is half, turns out I was zero Italian! Several tense phone calls with my parents later, I learned that my mom had an affair and I was the product-weird because I'm the second of four kids!
My uncle found out he has a daughter from his time stationed in Asia. I'm scared to take the test because I spent almost 3 years over there
Afraid of finding out you might have a responsibility for someone other than your own manly self? I'm shocked.
Load More Replies...When you hear stories about a guy dating a girl and then them finding out that the guy is the father's girl you have to consider asking for DNA tests beforehand XD
Do you mean the guy and the girl have the same father?
Load More Replies...I found out my father isn't my birth dad. Apparently my mother got pregnant by the neighborhood boy and she ran off with the circus, met my "dad", told him he got her pregnant and tricked him into believing I was his. I learned this through a DNA test, and she filled in the blanks. Sad thing is that both of my "dads" suck.
It's hard to figure out if someone will be good for yourself, even harder if they will make a good parent. I learned this the hard way. I hope you have a good relationship with your mom.
Load More Replies...I find the chimera cases really interesting. Is anyone else wondering how many times chimerism and mosaicism has effed up crime investigations?
Probably virtually nothing compared to failed justice resulting from incompetence, bias and nonsense legal system.
Load More Replies...I read a long Ask Reddit post about this once, some pretty amusing/shocking stories. One of the funniest things was all these Americans finding out that the family story about having Native American heritage was complete bullshit. Apparently it's quite a thing over there. I also think that sperm donors need some kind of non-identifying code attached, so that when people grow up and start dating they can make sure they don't inadvertently date a half sibling. I've definitely read multiple stories about that happening.
It sure is! I was told I am Indigenous. I was even told my grandfather was raised on a reservation and changed his last time when he became an adult. Lo and behold, I am as European white as they come.
Load More Replies...I actually enjoy the transparency of DNA tests. There is no more sweep-it-under-the-rug, like the 50's. Once everyone realizes how much is actually going on, it removes some stigma and lets kids grow up in a more honest place.
I agree, not to mention that from a health point of view it is super important to be aware of your lineage because of hereditary diseases and the like.
Load More Replies...My first thought is always how many people find out s**t they didn't want to know, lol! Like how you're uncle is your dad or your older sister is actually your mom. Awkward family gatherings are a definite potential side effect.
It always bothers me how much people try to hide things. If everyone were honest, they would realize everyone is just as f****d as everyone else.
Load More Replies...This is why I specifically looked for birth records and followed the female line in my ancestry search. The males were added, but I'm sure that a lot of them were fathers, but not necessarily biological fathers.
That's the smart way to go about genealogy. The average rate of a false paternity event is historically around 1 to 2 % per generation and accumulates to a much higher percentage the farther you go back along the male line. After they found the skeleton of Richard III. of England in 2011, some DNA tests were done on descendants to confirm it was really him. (It was, as confirmed by the female line descendants) But they found a false paternity event along the male line and when they tried to find out where along the line it had occured they found another one!
Load More Replies...I look just like my dad and my brother looks just like my mom. My daughter looks just like her dad since birth. My son looked like NOBODY his first couple of months and his eyes were so dark you couldn't even identify a color. If I hadn't birthed him and never left his sight in the hospital I would have thought he wasn't mine. Now he totally takes after me.
In Sweden, according to a 2001 article, 3000 children have another father than the one they thought they had. Considering that Sweden has a population of about 8 million at the time, that isnt that insignificant. Source: https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/G1QAl6/3-000-barn-far-fel-pappa-varje-ar
We found out my dad's biological father was a high ranking Nazi assigned to oversee operations at Chelmno camp. When the camp was liberated, he evaded arrest by allied forces and took illegal refuge in the U.S.. He was discovered in Memphis in 1952 and extradited back to Europe where he was tried for his war crimes. Thank God my grandma only had a one night stand with this guy. Things would be pretty awkward during Hanukkah.
Not quite the same, but I have never understood why some parents do not tell their children the truth. My mum was married very young and had me. Her and her husband split and while he went to jail she met someone else before I was 1 (who I know as 'dad'). This man raised me but not once was I ever made to think he was my real father and I respect my parents for that. When my biological father's family decided to get in touch when I was 12 behind my mother's back I already knew everything. They assumed mum wouldn't have told me the truth and tried to ruin our family but due to their honesty I was never under any false illusions. The truth may not be pretty, but if the child grows up knowing no different then they will not be broken/psychologically damaged if they find out the truth later on.
I love your story!!! The truth is just so much easier in the long run.
Load More Replies...I found out my paternal heritage is completely different from what I had always been told, which was quite a shock. I also found the daughter of my brother who was given for adoption before I was born. These tests can bring wonderful and exciting news, but will also destroy countless families and lives.
Not as shocking as some of these, but I grew up being told that our family is a hodgepodge of UK/European ancestry: English, French, German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh. When my mom took a DNA test I was devastated to learn that we're all of those things...except Welsh. Goodbye, dragon flag, I loved thee dearly. In a world of stripes and crosses you alone represented the potential for badass heraldry.
I'm not Welsh, but I still love the red dragon. I also am well-versed in the Mabinogion.
Load More Replies...If you want to keep believing that your parents are your parents and your sister is your sister, then don't take DNA tests. Simples.
I found a cousin whom my aunt had given up for adoption when she was really young and whom I knew nothing about. It turns out that he's in the same business as our grandfather and has a lot of similarities to him. Genetics are really weird.
My great uncle did 23 n me, and found out that he had a daughter and 2 granddaughters back from when he was much younger, and never knew about, and they also happened to live in town! We got to meet them and they both were so glad to meet each other after not knowing for so long
No, but I just looked it up and will be heading out to get a copy soon. Thanks for the tip, it looks fascinating!
Load More Replies...I was sent into foster care at birth, as many Native American mothers were coerced into giving up their children to the State. My mother never even held me at that time. These DNA tests have been a boon to those of us seeking our relatives. I reunited with the family at the age of 48. -Rev Dr M
Just found out I have a half brother. I welcomed him with open arms and I wish my other siblings will. It takes time I guess, it's a process for some people. Not for me, I jump on with open we're and open arms. Thanks 23andme.
My case: My dad lives in the US and I in Venezuela. He used to travel here and there. My mom got pregnant and here I am. He never acknowledged me and even flatout denied me. Im 40 now. He should be on his 75. I have 5 brothets that are all his sons. I found them via facebook and they couldnt believe it. They asked me in disbelief (rightfully so) for a dna test and I sent it. It came positive. Now all of them blocked me/hate me/threathened me that I should have never bothered contacting them and more nonsense. Im 40 YO now. Should I stop trying to get in contact with him? I have not spoke to him directly (they dont let him, and they say he denies everything).
He had a one night stand with your mum so yeah I get why they blocked you. He’s bot your father, in theory yes but he’s more a sperm donor. A father is who raises you. They don’t need this nor did they want it so why would you want to keep pushing it?
Load More Replies...I can't help but feel this is really going to blow up into a huge mess one day. There are few if any laws, and often the Drs aren't caught until they've retired, so malpractice doesn't have the fear factor it normally would
I took an ancestry DNA test to find out how much Italian I had since my dad is half, turns out I was zero Italian! Several tense phone calls with my parents later, I learned that my mom had an affair and I was the product-weird because I'm the second of four kids!
My uncle found out he has a daughter from his time stationed in Asia. I'm scared to take the test because I spent almost 3 years over there
Afraid of finding out you might have a responsibility for someone other than your own manly self? I'm shocked.
Load More Replies...When you hear stories about a guy dating a girl and then them finding out that the guy is the father's girl you have to consider asking for DNA tests beforehand XD
Do you mean the guy and the girl have the same father?
Load More Replies...