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DNA Confirms I Am a Bond Family Descendant

Brick Walls

Tim Firkowski

Thursday, 23 July 2015

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6 Comments

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My grandfather William D BondThis Blog post is the culmination of a long search for my biological grandfather, and the results are so wonderful. For those that have not followed this story of my search for my mother's biological father, you can read the full series of 11 Blog Posts here.

As you have read, Marie Flirt had contacted me after reading my blog posts about my search. Marie saw the evidence I had collected and agreed that she had a half sister. Maria thought that since my mother had done a DNA test, she would also do a test to have the scientific proof to go along with the documented evidence that was collected. Maria requested that I postpone any announcement of contact with my mother's new family, until she got back the DNA test results and would have the final piece of evidence prior to informing her siblings that they all had another sister. Maria's DNA results came back and they confirmed that she and my mother were in fact half-sisters! Now it was time to tell her siblings (my aunts and uncles) that they had a half sister.

The news was reported to my mother's half siblings and a flurry of activity has ensued. Already, I have had phone conversations with anumber of my relatives, and there has been a whole new batch of friend connections on FaceBook. I have been so excited to hear stories and learn about my family. A big thanks go out to those relatives that are sharing TONS of old photos. It has been wonderful to see what my family looks like.

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My Great Grandfather Charlie BondIt is wonderful to see the excitement in the family due to learning they have a new relative. Everyone is pulling together to welcome us all into the family. A DVD of family history and photos is being assembled, which I can not wait to get my hands on. It will be like Christmas when that DVD arrives! They all seem like such a wonderful bunch of people. One of my uncles (Uncle Santa) from Alabama would like to take a trip up my way next year and spend some time at my camp to get to know each other better and to just have some fun. I look forward to a new visitor to my camp.

I have to use a family tree supplied by Maria in order to keep track of everyone, there are sooo many new family members. I do not know if I will ever be able to keep it all straight. I will be referring to it for years to come. Words just can not express how exciting this is. I have solved mysteries before, but when one finds totally unknown close relatives, it makes it that much more special.

My mother will be traveling to Wisconsin in September and arrangements are being made to have her meet many of her other siblings during a stop in Georgia on her return drive from Wisconsin.

The Bond family has a reunion every Memorial Day, and I plan on going next year to meet my new family. I look forward to each and every future meeting.

THANK YOU BOND FAMILY!!!

About the author

Tim Firkowski

I have been doing genealogy research since 2002 & have worked full time as a Professional Genealogist since 2008. I specialize in Polish and American-Canadian Genealogy. As a member of APG, I was the 2010/2011 President of the New England Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (NEAPG). I have Certificates of Completion for studies in "Foundations of Forensic Genealogy" and "Advanced Forensic Genealogy Techniques". I have been a volunteer librarian at the local Family History Center, and a genealogy research consultant at “Ask the Expert” Ancestry Road Shows. I have traveled to Poland numerous times & researched in churches and archives. At conferences and special events, you may find me dressed up in my Sherlock Holmes outfit, or my Kujawy (the folk costume from the region in Poland where my ancestors came from).

Author's recent posts

Comments 6

Guest - L. Smith on Thursday, 23 July 2015 06:54

What a great outcome! Enjoy your new found family!

1 Reply

Tim Firkowski on Thursday, 23 July 2015 07:07

Thank you!

0 Reply

Guest - Amie Bowser Tennant on Thursday, 23 July 2015 07:18

Wow! What a wonderful story! Thank you for sharing. DNA helped my mother's family discover a hidden part of her heritage as well. I wrote about it on the http://RootsBid.com/blog I write for. I am also looking forward to having the DNA tests completed on all three of my adopted children. I guess you might say I am a DNA test junkie! Again, thanks for sharing your story!

1 Reply

Tim Firkowski on Thursday, 23 July 2015 07:21

This should be a motivator for those who have their own brick walls. Be patient... persistence pays off!

0 Reply

Guest - Melissa Shepherd on Thursday, 23 July 2015 08:21

This is so great! Welcome to the family! You are my 1st cousin as I am Maria's daughter. Don't feel bad about having to refer to a family tree. Our family is so big that even I get mixed up sometimes. We are excited to learn more about your side of the family, too! Can't wait to see you at the reunion!

0 Reply