Whilst the Blog has been offline, Doreen and I have had our own good news. Our son Aaron married his lovely fiance Kwan and we now have a beautiful new granddaughter, Elle. I think the pictures explain themselves.
Monday, 26 May 2008
TRANSFER COMPLETE
Thankfully the transfer of this blog is now complete. The photographs have not transferred so well but I hope to re-scan the originals at a later date. We have lost the impetus a bit but not the interest. George and John Derek are out there somewhere and we're still trying to find them. In the meanwhile there have been more reunions and Doreen is going to Chesterfield, later this morning, to spend a few days with Irene. The first picture shows Betty, Doreen, Audrey and Carol with Barbara at the front during a reunion held at the Dalmahoy Golf and Country Club near Edinburgh.
Ronnie's beautiful daughter Sian has married her fiance Richie (picture 2) and there will soon be another baby in the family. Oh, yes and Barbara paid another flying visit from Australia (picture 1).
FANTASTIC RESPONSE
17 November 2006
I have had the most amazing response to a message posted on Genes Reunited last night. No less than thirteen e-mails with information taking us back to 1841. It is going to take a bit of sorting out but there is so much information that I'm sure we'll get something positive from it. More than half the responses came from "Lew" - you know who you are - and she has given us the most detailed and most promising stuff so far. Thanks again Lew. It still amazes me how people are so generous of spirit that they are prepared to put in so much effort to help total strangers.
OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS
16 November 2006
In a bid to find living older members of the family, who might be able to give us some clues about what really happened way back in the 1950's. I have high hopes of finding someone at last. In the past, I thought it was a hopeless quest but hot matches on Genes Reunited have turned up what I hope is Doreen's biological mother. If I can get an address where she lived, I can refer to the electoral roll and see if I can trace anyone living. I have also made some progress on finding out where her father was born, so I'm hopeful in that direction too. The optimism is coming back. There is one piece of hard evidence of someone who might turn out to be Doreen's father's brother. A man who is the right age and lived in the right village. Unfortunately it is an announcement of his very recent death and I am too sensitive to approach his family at what is a very bad time for them. Nevertheless, the clues are turning up again so I will stay hopeful.
A MAMMOTH UNDERTAKING
10 November 2006
I knew this was going to be a big task but I had no idea just how big. I have spent hours trawling through an adoption message board with forty seven very long pages! At one point, I thought I had found a message from John - it was so close in so many details, my heart leapt. However, the dates and locations were just not right. Never mind, I have found another message board with well over five hundred pages to scour. Even if I give in and just pay an agency, I'll keep on sifting through the plethora of message boards. You never know, I just might get lucky - we have had some spectacular luck in the past. Ah well, the search goes on.....
I knew this was going to be a big task but I had no idea just how big. I have spent hours trawling through an adoption message board with forty seven very long pages! At one point, I thought I had found a message from John - it was so close in so many details, my heart leapt. However, the dates and locations were just not right. Never mind, I have found another message board with well over five hundred pages to scour. Even if I give in and just pay an agency, I'll keep on sifting through the plethora of message boards. You never know, I just might get lucky - we have had some spectacular luck in the past. Ah well, the search goes on.....
THE ULTIMATE BRICK WALL
04 November 2006
We have come to the end of the easy part of our search. It wasn't easy at all but we seem to have hit so many brick walls that it feels like we're standing inside a chimney with solid brick walls on all sides. Rotate as fast and as far as you like and there's still a brick wall to bang your head on! We have now accepted that George does not want to be contacted and we are very disappointed but we have to respect his decision. So we are setting off on the much harder pursuit of John Derek. Because he was formally adopted, we have no idea where to start and we are heading into totally new research territory - and we're going in blind. It is also difficult because it is like going back to where we were when we had found no one. But then, we have had spectacular success so it may be a challenge - and a strong one - but the potential for success is enormous. We are sad at the prospect of not finding George, but we are energised by the challenge of going for John Derek. We hope that, at some time in the future, we can persuade George to get in touch. If he ever reads this, we hope that he will understand that whatever happened in the past, his siblings were no part of the cause and they all want to be reunited with him. So come on George, six sisters and a brother really want to meet you.
We have come to the end of the easy part of our search. It wasn't easy at all but we seem to have hit so many brick walls that it feels like we're standing inside a chimney with solid brick walls on all sides. Rotate as fast and as far as you like and there's still a brick wall to bang your head on! We have now accepted that George does not want to be contacted and we are very disappointed but we have to respect his decision. So we are setting off on the much harder pursuit of John Derek. Because he was formally adopted, we have no idea where to start and we are heading into totally new research territory - and we're going in blind. It is also difficult because it is like going back to where we were when we had found no one. But then, we have had spectacular success so it may be a challenge - and a strong one - but the potential for success is enormous. We are sad at the prospect of not finding George, but we are energised by the challenge of going for John Derek. We hope that, at some time in the future, we can persuade George to get in touch. If he ever reads this, we hope that he will understand that whatever happened in the past, his siblings were no part of the cause and they all want to be reunited with him. So come on George, six sisters and a brother really want to meet you.
ADOPTION SEARCH
26 October 2006
Now that we are over the euphoria of the last fantastic reunion, its time to get down to some serious research. Trouble is, I've never attempted to find someone who was formally adopted and I'm a bit at a loss where to start. In the early days we tried to approach the authorities under the Freedom of Information legislation. I'm not certain but I could have sworn I heard the whirr of shredders in the background. They told us adoption records had been destroyed in the sixties but we managed to find an index card which contained little useful information but did have one hand written entry dated 1976, so they had been less than truthful. Other agencies we have approached have shown a more than passing interest in the contents of my bank account, but little in the way of advice other than "Give us your money". Has anyone out there got experience in this field? Can anyone give me any suggestions on the best place to start. If I can get my first step into the jungle, I'm well prepared to take a machete to the red tape!
THE LATEST REUNION
22 October 2006
Well, I have just got back, a couple of hours ago, from the latest reunion which took place at brother Ronnie's home. All of those who attended are agreed that it was a fabulous weekend and whilst we thank Ronnie for his hospitality, we all have expressed amazement at the superstar Jan (his wife) for the quite exceptional weekend. She organised the whole event and catered for a huge influx of guests for overnight stays and daytime visits. We are all astounded at the fantastic way in which she fed and looked after us; it would put a five star hotel to shame. Accommodation, wining and dining and the unique twist of bringing an extra sister in as a surprise to all the others ensured that we had a weekend that money simply couldn't buy. If there was an Oscar for hospitality she would win it - hands down!
A NEW REUNION
14 October 2006
Well, there's going to be another gathering of the clans! It's going to be in Worcester this coming weekend, and we hope to have five of the siblings and other members of the family there. I only wish we could get all seven together for once. Maybe we'll reserve that for the big one and have all nine - but we've got two to find before we can do that. I think I'm going to have to win tonight's big lottery rollover so we can take over a hotel somewhere and have a big gathering with all the children and grandchildren present. Wouldn't that be something.
Well, there's going to be another gathering of the clans! It's going to be in Worcester this coming weekend, and we hope to have five of the siblings and other members of the family there. I only wish we could get all seven together for once. Maybe we'll reserve that for the big one and have all nine - but we've got two to find before we can do that. I think I'm going to have to win tonight's big lottery rollover so we can take over a hotel somewhere and have a big gathering with all the children and grandchildren present. Wouldn't that be something.
FRIDAY 13TH
13 October 2006
Well, it's Friday 13th. So what, Ive never been superstitious. But maybe, just this once, it will be a lucky day. We've had renewed press interest and it just may be the day when it happens again. But please don't let it be The Daily Mail (who have changed their minds about the story three times so far and seem to be a lost cause). Otherwise, we're back at that brick wall - but I'm still optimistic. I know we have one or two really good friends and keen helpers out there, and that is really encouraging. Even Genes Reunited has sent us an encouraging message. The only disappointment I have had is that 2 of 3 online agencies (allegedly the best) have failed to find information that I have recently found myself in the public records that they claim to have totally covered. Additionally, one or two fellow searchers have given me more and better information than some that I have bought from the professionals. The moral of this story is don't give up and don't rely too much on big agencies who are really only after your money (in spite of offers of free searches). OK, off the soap box now!
MOVING ON
12 October 2006
I have had contact, today, with someone who has provided me with information that might help me contact older members of the family. People we just don't know (yet) but who might be prepared to talk about the past now that one biological parent is dead, and the other probably is too. What have they got to lose? They could help redress the balance of past wrongs and give us information about what happened to George and John. I feel sure that the wider family owes Doreen (and her siblings) that much. Now, let's find them
I have had contact, today, with someone who has provided me with information that might help me contact older members of the family. People we just don't know (yet) but who might be prepared to talk about the past now that one biological parent is dead, and the other probably is too. What have they got to lose? They could help redress the balance of past wrongs and give us information about what happened to George and John. I feel sure that the wider family owes Doreen (and her siblings) that much. Now, let's find them
PRESS INTEREST
11 October 2006
The press are showing an interest again and I suppose we should be excited but they have let us down so many times recently, that it is difficult to believe that they have a real interest. We need the publicity to find John and the reluctant George, so we have to keep on trying. We have been contacted by Twinkle (which is a pseudonym for someone who has anonymously given us a great deal of help over the past few months) I am so pleased that Twinkle has read the Journal and, I hope, enjoyed it. Well, Twinkle, we will always keep you informed.
EXTERNAL RESPONSES
10 October 2006
I started this journal as an online personal diary; I intended to keep it private but I soon learned the value of the supportive and encouraging personal messages that I have received. Doreen and I have had some spectacular successes and we have had some wonderful meetings and gatherings with the new found family. But we have also had some long periods of just nothing. At these times, I have felt the benefit of people contacting me just to say good luck or something like that. They stop you from feeling alone and isolated. It's also nice to feel that someone cares - someone on the outside. So thanks to all who have helped and encouraged and please don't stop - your comments are valued.
I started this journal as an online personal diary; I intended to keep it private but I soon learned the value of the supportive and encouraging personal messages that I have received. Doreen and I have had some spectacular successes and we have had some wonderful meetings and gatherings with the new found family. But we have also had some long periods of just nothing. At these times, I have felt the benefit of people contacting me just to say good luck or something like that. They stop you from feeling alone and isolated. It's also nice to feel that someone cares - someone on the outside. So thanks to all who have helped and encouraged and please don't stop - your comments are valued.
EVER INCREASING CIRCLES
09 October 2006
In my last entry, I mentioned that research has hit the doldrums - and that is true, but subjects haven't! It is too complicated and too uncertain to explain here because I don't fully understand it myself (yet!). However, it seems that there is a possibility that there may be more than the original nine children; maybe as many as twelve! Well, life will never be boring again, so the search goes on.
PLEASURE AND PAIN
Research has entered the Doldrums and no progress has been made since late August. We have still had no word from George although we know he has been contacted. The Daily Mail has once again decided not to run the story but no reasons have been given and we wonder why they have wasted so much time, money and effort on photoshoots and makeovers for no purpose. Well, that's the pain bit over, and on the other side of the coin, Irene, her husband Johnny, and various other members of her immediate family have been up here to see us (twice) and we have been down to Chesterfield to see them. It's amazing that we all get on so well together. Doreen and I are really looking forward to a trip to Worcester later this month, to meet Ronnie and Jan and their families again. In spite of everything, we still hope that one day, George will get in touch.
ANOTHER PICTURE FROM SCARBOROUGH
The patriarchs and matriarchs of the family
23 August 2006
These are the siblings and their spouses, joint heads of a really quite large family that most of them didn't know they had! They are as follows: Back row: Tom De'ath (Carol's husband), Neville Bougourd (Me! - Doreen's husband), Doreen, Jan Johnson (Ronnie's wife), Ronnie, Arthur Cowan (Betty's husband), Irene and Johnny Wainwright (Irene's husband). Front Row: Carol, Betty and Audrey. A couple of funny surnames in there: mine's from the old Kingdom of Burgundy and Tom's is Belgian. I only wish we could have included Barbara (the eldest sister) and her husband Andrew Cooper but unfortunately they live in Western Australia and cannot get to all of our reunions.
THE BIGGEST REUNION EVER
These are the siblings and their spouses, joint heads of a really quite large family that most of them didn't know they had! They are as follows: Back row: Tom De'ath (Carol's husband), Neville Bougourd (Me! - Doreen's husband), Doreen, Jan Johnson (Ronnie's wife), Ronnie, Arthur Cowan (Betty's husband), Irene and Johnny Wainwright (Irene's husband). Front Row: Carol, Betty and Audrey. A couple of funny surnames in there: mine's from the old Kingdom of Burgundy and Tom's is Belgian. I only wish we could have included Barbara (the eldest sister) and her husband Andrew Cooper but unfortunately they live in Western Australia and cannot get to all of our reunions.
THE BIGGEST REUNION EVER
See the smaller picture above
A short time ago, I would never have thought this picture was possible. It is the biggest ever gathering of the Minto family and, until this year (2006), some of them had never even met each other! They are widely spread around the country and came together for the christening of baby Jack (Carol's grandson) in Scarborough on 13th August 2006. This was a really emotional time for everyone involved and turned out to be a wonderful occasion in spite of the apalling weather. This photograph was taken in the Esplanade Hotel and shows Doreen, Ronnie and Irene (back row), Carol, Betty and Audrey. I'm proud to have taken it and I am sure it will become a family heirloom; a centrepiece of the family history.
A short time ago, I would never have thought this picture was possible. It is the biggest ever gathering of the Minto family and, until this year (2006), some of them had never even met each other! They are widely spread around the country and came together for the christening of baby Jack (Carol's grandson) in Scarborough on 13th August 2006. This was a really emotional time for everyone involved and turned out to be a wonderful occasion in spite of the apalling weather. This photograph was taken in the Esplanade Hotel and shows Doreen, Ronnie and Irene (back row), Carol, Betty and Audrey. I'm proud to have taken it and I am sure it will become a family heirloom; a centrepiece of the family history.
GEORGE
22 August 2006
We are bitterly disappointed that George has not responded to our contact through Traceline. It is very sad that he seems not to want to be found. Of Doreen's eight siblings, six responded as soon as they got our message, one is yet to be found and George has been located but has not answered. We will have to learn to live with that, and to respect his wishes, but at least we know that he is alive and well. It's a pity though; Irene is coming up from Derbyshire this weekend and it would have been wonderful to have him here too. We hoped that, like Ronnie, he was just on holiday and his reply was delayed. But, as time passes, that is becoming increasingly unlikely and we have to accept the inevitable. We hope he has asked Traceline for our letter and then he will have our contact phone numbers so that if he changes his mind in the future, he can still get in touch.
THE BIGGEST REUNION YET
15 August 2006
We have just returned from baby Jack's christening in Scarborough - which was a milestone in the family history. But it was also the reason for the biggest family reunion so far. Over this weekend we have had Audrey, Betty, Carol, Doreen, Irene and Ronnie all together for the first time ever. With spouses and offspring and many other relations and friends, this was a massive gathering. Everyone had a wonderful time and I met a host of new nephews and nieces for the first time. We've got the taste for this now and we're going to have another reunion up here over the August Bank Holiday weekend - it won't be as big, but it will help to keep the family together. As soon as I get the chance, I'll be adding some pictures to this journal and to the website, so anyone reading this will get a better idea of what the family is really like. We're looking forward to the press reports and we hope that George might read them and get in touch - he still hasn't responded to our letter, but he may be on holiday so we're still hopeful. Watch this space !!!
We have just returned from baby Jack's christening in Scarborough - which was a milestone in the family history. But it was also the reason for the biggest family reunion so far. Over this weekend we have had Audrey, Betty, Carol, Doreen, Irene and Ronnie all together for the first time ever. With spouses and offspring and many other relations and friends, this was a massive gathering. Everyone had a wonderful time and I met a host of new nephews and nieces for the first time. We've got the taste for this now and we're going to have another reunion up here over the August Bank Holiday weekend - it won't be as big, but it will help to keep the family together. As soon as I get the chance, I'll be adding some pictures to this journal and to the website, so anyone reading this will get a better idea of what the family is really like. We're looking forward to the press reports and we hope that George might read them and get in touch - he still hasn't responded to our letter, but he may be on holiday so we're still hopeful. Watch this space !!!
ANOTHER FAMILY REUNION
07 August 2006
On Saturday, six of the siblings will be back together for baby Jack's christening in Scarborough. Many more members of the family will also be there and it looks like it will be a weekend to remember. It would be really nice if we heard from George and he decided to come too. That would take Doreen's dream of reuniting all the siblings one step closer. The Daily Mail and Woman magazine are coming on Saturday, so even if George isn't in touch by then, he may get to read about it in one of those publications. We can only hope he does and then he can see the kind of people we are and then make contact if he wants to. We hope he is as curious about us as we are about him. Of course, the decision is his - we have written to him, via an agency, and all we can do is wait.
On Saturday, six of the siblings will be back together for baby Jack's christening in Scarborough. Many more members of the family will also be there and it looks like it will be a weekend to remember. It would be really nice if we heard from George and he decided to come too. That would take Doreen's dream of reuniting all the siblings one step closer. The Daily Mail and Woman magazine are coming on Saturday, so even if George isn't in touch by then, he may get to read about it in one of those publications. We can only hope he does and then he can see the kind of people we are and then make contact if he wants to. We hope he is as curious about us as we are about him. Of course, the decision is his - we have written to him, via an agency, and all we can do is wait.
DISAPPOINTMENT
We are disappointed that we have not had a response from George, although we are still hopeful. At this time of year he could be on holiday. On the other hand, he might have got a big shock and still be thinking about whether to respond. In the worst case scenario, he may just not want to be found. Whatever happens, at least Doreen knows that he is alive and well. If you are out there George, please get in touch.
ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING
31 July 2006
Well, Irene has been here for the weekend, along with husband Johnny and their granddaughter Rosie who is 12. We had a really good time with them; Audrey and Carol were here too. We all got on so well, even my grandson Jay, who is normally very shy, responded well to them. The Newcastle Journal covered the story and, once again, did a really nice prominent article with an excellent photograph. They've now gone back to Derbyshire but they are coming to the christening in Scarborough in two weeks time. So we will have Betty, Audrey, Ronnie, Carol, Irene and Doreen there. That's the biggest gathering of the Minto "kids" that has ever taken place.
Well, Irene has been here for the weekend, along with husband Johnny and their granddaughter Rosie who is 12. We had a really good time with them; Audrey and Carol were here too. We all got on so well, even my grandson Jay, who is normally very shy, responded well to them. The Newcastle Journal covered the story and, once again, did a really nice prominent article with an excellent photograph. They've now gone back to Derbyshire but they are coming to the christening in Scarborough in two weeks time. So we will have Betty, Audrey, Ronnie, Carol, Irene and Doreen there. That's the biggest gathering of the Minto "kids" that has ever taken place.
ASTONISHING NEWS
28 July 2006
Along with our routine searches, we have discovered that John Clement Minto may have fathered as many as another seven children after his relationship/marriage with Elsie Affleck ended. This is astonishing news and leaves the possibility that there are seven more half-brothers and sisters to find. It's mind blowing and I just can't take it in.
Along with our routine searches, we have discovered that John Clement Minto may have fathered as many as another seven children after his relationship/marriage with Elsie Affleck ended. This is astonishing news and leaves the possibility that there are seven more half-brothers and sisters to find. It's mind blowing and I just can't take it in.
FANTASTIC NEWS
We have finally made contact with Irene Yvonne. She has received our letter and phoned us today (she lives in Derbyshire), so there's gonna be another reunion on Saturday. She's coming up to stay with us for a night. Like some of the others, she was nervous about getting in touch; I suppose it must be like taking a leap in the dark. This is all that Doreen has ever wanted - just to come together with all her brothers and sisters. So, once we have traced George, that is all of the fostered children and we have the much harder task of finding John Derek, who is the only one to be actually formally adopted. Still, we have come this far and we are not going to give in at the final hurdle, however tough it may be. With luck, George will have his letter now and, hopefully, he will get in touch soon. At this point, I would like to thank all of you who have helped us (or tried to) and just say "Watch this space....."
PRESS COVERAGE
25 July 2006
After all these weeks, the Daily Mail wants to run the story. I can't quite believe that they are for real after going to such expense, then dropping it. I don't know quite why they have changed their minds, but then we are coming into the silly season when there is no real news and pages need to be filled. I hope that they will print it this time but I won't hold my breath. We were badly disappointed when they dropped it before and trust follows experience so I will believe it when I see it in print. However, a national newspaper represents enormous coverage and that is what we need to help us find the others. After a week, we have still had no response from George and Irene BUT, it is the holiday season and they may be away from home. We have not yet given up hope, and - we hope - they will still respond to the letter Doreen sent them. After all, Ronnie was in California when we wrote to him and he didn't reply for three weeks. So, hope springs eternal, and we can wait - however painful and anxious the wait may be. Doreen has received a text message giving her this news; I hope it is genuine and not a cruel hoax.
PROGRESS
21 July 2006
We have finally had confirmation that George and Irene have been located. We don't know where they live except that it is in England or Wales. Traceline have confirmed that they have informed them that they are holding Doreen's letters to both of them and now we just have to wait and see whether they want to be contacted, whether they want to receive those letters and whether they will respond. Here's hoping.
FANTASTIC NEWS
30th June 2008
We have had the most incredible news! Although it is only provisional and not confirmed, we have been told that George and Irene have been located - alive and well. This is only the start of the process and it will take a couple of weeks to confirm. So, by the time we are back from Thailand, we should have some definite news. We should be able to make personal contact with them at that time. What a great start to our trip - now we can't wait to get back.
SHORT TERM ABSENCE
28 June 2006
Short term absenceI have to go to Thailand at very short notice. My son needs my/our support so we're off on Sunday. I hope my readers will bear with me and wait for further news. Family loyalty, on an immediate level, is more important than anything else, so we have to go. Please bear with me - I'll be back in two weeks and if there is any Minto out there who knows anything that might help, please get in touch. I don't give a damn about dark family secrets, I just want to find the missing siblings. Please help if you can
Short term absenceI have to go to Thailand at very short notice. My son needs my/our support so we're off on Sunday. I hope my readers will bear with me and wait for further news. Family loyalty, on an immediate level, is more important than anything else, so we have to go. Please bear with me - I'll be back in two weeks and if there is any Minto out there who knows anything that might help, please get in touch. I don't give a damn about dark family secrets, I just want to find the missing siblings. Please help if you can
A TEMPORARY GOODBYE
27 June 2006
Our son, Aaron, has suffered a serious trauma at his workplace in Thailand. He witnessed a particularly nasty suicide in a public place and he has been left particularly traumatised and we have to go out there to meet him. So, I will be missing for a couple of weeks but I hope those of you who are interested in this site will bear with me for two weeks. I am leaving on Sunday coming but I will be back. Don't give up on me now
Our son, Aaron, has suffered a serious trauma at his workplace in Thailand. He witnessed a particularly nasty suicide in a public place and he has been left particularly traumatised and we have to go out there to meet him. So, I will be missing for a couple of weeks but I hope those of you who are interested in this site will bear with me for two weeks. I am leaving on Sunday coming but I will be back. Don't give up on me now
READERSHIP
26 June 2006
Can anyone help with our search? We are trying to help with our search for siblings . Please help if you can
Can anyone help with our search? We are trying to help with our search for siblings . Please help if you can
BLOG OF THE WEEK
We are still appearing as Blog of the Week but the reaction has dropped from hundreds overnight to a very slow trickle. I wish that even one or two of the readers would be able to drop a tiny bubble of hard information. But please don't stop because we have been both astonished and pleased by the supportive messages received. But don't just look - leave a message.
FAMILY SEARCH
15 June 2006
Have you ever felt depressed? There is an air of anticipation but nothing is actually happening. I am excited and depressed at the same time. Confused? You will be! At least if you get in my position. So come on readers (all 140 odd of you) Help!
Have you ever felt depressed? There is an air of anticipation but nothing is actually happening. I am excited and depressed at the same time. Confused? You will be! At least if you get in my position. So come on readers (all 140 odd of you) Help!
PUBLICITY
This is an important tool in finding your family. Why do some organisations (like The Daily Mail) spend a fortune doing makeovers and photoshoots and then not use the story? We hope this will not be the case with Woman magazine - but you never know.19:59:38 o'clock BST
JERSEY
If you are in Jersey, or anywhere else for that matter, and you know anything about John Clement Minto, who was there in 1959, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH. In recent years, he has disappeared from all records - BMD etc
MARY POPPINS
Mary Poppins said it all when she invented that unforgettable word, supercalifragilisticexpial- idocious.
However, AOL has added super duper as a prefix. They have asked us to make this the "Blog of the Week". Of course we have agreed because we need the publicity to find the remaining two brothers and a sister. Well, wouldn't you?
The story is fantastic and it would be a very cold and hard person who didn't shed a tear as they read through it. We have had 130 odd visits and only 1 comment, so get you're a**es in gear and say what you think. I promise not to delete your comments if they are not obnoxious.
The story is fantastic and it would be a very cold and hard person who didn't shed a tear as they read through it. We have had 130 odd visits and only 1 comment, so get you're a**es in gear and say what you think. I promise not to delete your comments if they are not obnoxious.
DOREEN'S STORY
I have finally got Doreen's story in a condensed, but still lengthy, version - and here it is:
About four years ago, I was able to get my full birth certificate for the first time; I fully expected it to show father’s name unknown but my father’s name was there and he was married to my mother
I did some research and found that I was one of 7 children. I was stunned and started to look for my siblings and posted messages on the Internet. Nothing happened until November 2004 when I received an e-mail, from a lady in Surrey, asking me to phone her.
I did this and found she was my niece, she told me she had seen my message on Genes Reunited and she gave me the news that I was one of nine not seven. She said her mother, who lived in Australia, had been searching for her siblings on the Internet and had found one in Scotland. By a sheer fluke she had come over for a reunion and was in this country at that time. We were reunited by phone that night and in person a couple of days later.
We have all met many times since and I have even been out to Australia but nothing else happened until a few weeks ago when we found a sister who lived just four miles away from me. Three weeks after that we contacted another sister who lived about eight miles away in the opposite direction. We got loads of press coverage and were invited onto GMTV. After this interview, we were just going back into our hotel when I got a call on my mobile. It was in response to a letter that I had sent through an intermediary agency – and it was our brother!
I called GMTV and they said to stay in London and come back next day and they would arrange a satellite uplink to his home in Worcester. We got to the studio and started the interview and he walked in. It was incredibly emotional. He had just got back from America and had not seen the TV programme, it was just a fantastic co-incidence that he rang when he did because he rang on Wednesday and we were reunited on Thursday – next day was Good Friday and there was no GMTV. We would still have met but not in such a sensational manner. It may have been Good Friday but it was Fabulous Thursday!
There have been other incredible co-incidences. In the early days of our marriages, my brother and I lived in the same village – about 400 yards away – We would have used the same local shops and pubs but didn’t knowingly meet. One of my sisters was close friends with a couple, the husband of whom was my adoptive cousin; we probably attended the same parties and didn’t know each other.
Now we’re in hot pursuit of the other three! I think my story must give heart to all family seekers and shows that miracles and fairy tales do happen - even in the 21st Century.
Well, that's Doreen's story and it, particularly the GMTV reunion, brought a tear or two even to my eyes. So, if anyone reading this has any connection to, or any information on, the Minto family from Birtley, County Durham, please add your comments.
NEW IMAGE
14 June 2006
This is a picture I have just discovered. It was taken at the second family reunion and shows, in the front row, Carol (who was the newly found sister), Betty who was one of the first two sisters we found and Doreen, my wife. That's me standing behind Carol and the others are all part of the family. This reunion took place in Shotley Bridge, County Durham. Today we have also received a professional DVD taken from the three slots on GMTV. I wish I could put that on the journal; it's so emotional.
This is a picture I have just discovered. It was taken at the second family reunion and shows, in the front row, Carol (who was the newly found sister), Betty who was one of the first two sisters we found and Doreen, my wife. That's me standing behind Carol and the others are all part of the family. This reunion took place in Shotley Bridge, County Durham. Today we have also received a professional DVD taken from the three slots on GMTV. I wish I could put that on the journal; it's so emotional.
YET ANOTHER REUNION
11 June 2006
No further developments but we're all meeting up at The Lambton Worm, near Chester le Street next weekend. So maybe a few close family questions will reveal something useful. We've signed the Woman Magazine contract so, hopefully the publicity from that will be helpful since the Daily Mail didn't make use of the story and we hit another brick wall.
MOVING ON
09 June 2006
Woman magazine has sent us a contract to sign. We don't care about money, we just want to find the three remaining siblings. But this is a great start; national publicity is just what we need to get the ball rolling. If anyone out there is reading this, just think - do you know a Minto, or someone who was once a Minto? In the words of the Beatles' song, help me if you can I'm feeling down, and I do appreciate you're being around - help me get my feet up off the ground - won't you please help me?
Come on people, lets get those Mintos out of hiding, their names have probably changed but they're still our family - let's root them out.
SPECTACULAR DAY
06 June 2006
Today I have had a lift because I have had the first comment added to my Journal (Thanks Christina). I have also had three e-mails expressing interest by Woman Magazine. This is just the sort of publicity needed to revive the campaign to find the three remaining siblings. I also had a response from someone about Mintos in Jersey so things appear to be moving again.
THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE MINTO FAMILY
04 June 2006
Today I visited my nephew to meet the new baby for the first time. We had a great day out (Doreen and myself, her sister Carol and her husband Tom). It was a long journey but worth it; he is one more (very important) reason to pull the whole family back together. However, we are still standing with our noses pressed hard against a brick wall so, if anyone reading this has any information, please get in touch.
Today I visited my nephew to meet the new baby for the first time. We had a great day out (Doreen and myself, her sister Carol and her husband Tom). It was a long journey but worth it; he is one more (very important) reason to pull the whole family back together. However, we are still standing with our noses pressed hard against a brick wall so, if anyone reading this has any information, please get in touch.
THE GOOD FAIRY
31 May 2006
I have just exchanged a series of E-mails with a wonderful lady who is not connected with the Minto family but has provided me with locations for all nine of the siblings birth records and the marriage record of their parents. More information in a couple of hours than we found in months! For reasons of privacy, I won't name her here but you know who you are and you have my eternal gratitude.
I have just exchanged a series of E-mails with a wonderful lady who is not connected with the Minto family but has provided me with locations for all nine of the siblings birth records and the marriage record of their parents. More information in a couple of hours than we found in months! For reasons of privacy, I won't name her here but you know who you are and you have my eternal gratitude.
REFLECTION
27 May 2006
Now is the time for quiet reflection. We appear to have hit another brick wall, with no success at all and no promising leads. The biological father that I found in Jersey appears to have disappeared and nothing is forthcoming; maybe he saw the GMTV programme and doesn't want to be located. Betty and Barbara have gone very quiet and I think we must have upset them. But, whatever their reasons, Doreen has the right to find her siblings and so we press on. At the moment, no one even seems to want to answer my E-mails and I am getting frustrated but I want to step back and take a detached look at the situation. I think we have to make a target of one of the siblings and just go for it, but I'm the outsider here and I have to go along with what Doreen and her found siblings want to do. I have E-mailed Georgina Horton regarding the Daily Mail's apparent reluctance to follow through on the story. She seems to think that they will still go ahead, but if they don't, I want a release from the contract so that we can seek publicity elsewhere - and I have told her so. I think I am going to have to remind her of that because another week has passed and there is still no story.
GMTV was a great success and it may be that that is the way forward. It is very hard to be tied by the Daily Mail when we could be going to other sources.
Whatever happens, I am determined to see it through and make sure we find the three remaining siblings
Now is the time for quiet reflection. We appear to have hit another brick wall, with no success at all and no promising leads. The biological father that I found in Jersey appears to have disappeared and nothing is forthcoming; maybe he saw the GMTV programme and doesn't want to be located. Betty and Barbara have gone very quiet and I think we must have upset them. But, whatever their reasons, Doreen has the right to find her siblings and so we press on. At the moment, no one even seems to want to answer my E-mails and I am getting frustrated but I want to step back and take a detached look at the situation. I think we have to make a target of one of the siblings and just go for it, but I'm the outsider here and I have to go along with what Doreen and her found siblings want to do. I have E-mailed Georgina Horton regarding the Daily Mail's apparent reluctance to follow through on the story. She seems to think that they will still go ahead, but if they don't, I want a release from the contract so that we can seek publicity elsewhere - and I have told her so. I think I am going to have to remind her of that because another week has passed and there is still no story.
GMTV was a great success and it may be that that is the way forward. It is very hard to be tied by the Daily Mail when we could be going to other sources.
Whatever happens, I am determined to see it through and make sure we find the three remaining siblings
WHAT NOW?
29 May 2006
BARBARA MINTO
Barbara has been in touch and we haven't upset her, so we're both very pleased. To add to our pleasure, Carol's son, Scott and his wife Mel, produced a bouncing baby boy at around 2.30 am this morning; his name is Jack and he weighed in at a healthy 8 lbs. Welcome to the world and the family Jack; you are the first to enter the family whilst we have been aware of our membership of it!
HAPPILY UNAWARE
See picture above
What a surprise they were about to get! GMTV promised a satellite uplink from Ronnie's home near Worcester. When he and his wife Jan walked into the studio, even I shed a tear or two
What a surprise they were about to get! GMTV promised a satellite uplink from Ronnie's home near Worcester. When he and his wife Jan walked into the studio, even I shed a tear or two
I am still trying for the second Minto in the Jersey phone book, and still no result. I have had no joy in any direction and I am starting to feel dejected. I have chased up Georgina Horton for any result but I have also asked her to get us a release from the Daily Mail as they clearly have no intention of publishing the story. Now I'm anxious that there's going to be another solid brick wall to face. I think Georgina may be embarrassed by the lack of action and I know that it's not her fault but I must apply pressure where I can. I think we'll have to go it alone and seek publicity elsewhere. Today I have also chased GMTV for copies of the photos they took and I think I will chase the Daily Mail for theirs.
ODD COINCIDENCE
25 May 2006
I have been scanning many items connected with the Minto family and I came across and entry with the location simply given as Napier. This intrigued me because Doreen was born in a maternity hospital but the family address, at the time, was Napier Terrace. I responded by E-mail and the reply was negative as it referred to Napier, a city in New Zealand. The odd thing was that the person concerned also had eight brothers and sisters
I have been scanning many items connected with the Minto family and I came across and entry with the location simply given as Napier. This intrigued me because Doreen was born in a maternity hospital but the family address, at the time, was Napier Terrace. I responded by E-mail and the reply was negative as it referred to Napier, a city in New Zealand. The odd thing was that the person concerned also had eight brothers and sisters
FRUSTRATION ON ALL SIDES
24 May 2006
In spite of spending nearly 8 hours on the Internet, I have no promising leads at the moment. I still can't get through to one of the Jersey Mintos, I can't find any trace of John Clement Minto (alive or dead) in Jersey and the Daily Mail still have not printed the story - we were relying on the publicity. So maybe we ought to go elsewhere for it. None of the genealogy agencies on the net can locate a record of John Clement's birth nor of his marriage. However, I have put my own details into a couple of them without finding a record of my birth or marriage and I know the exact dates and places for those! So I have come to the conclusion that these agencies aren't nearly as good as they say they are. On top of all this, several people have told me they have tried to get into this journal and can't
In spite of spending nearly 8 hours on the Internet, I have no promising leads at the moment. I still can't get through to one of the Jersey Mintos, I can't find any trace of John Clement Minto (alive or dead) in Jersey and the Daily Mail still have not printed the story - we were relying on the publicity. So maybe we ought to go elsewhere for it. None of the genealogy agencies on the net can locate a record of John Clement's birth nor of his marriage. However, I have put my own details into a couple of them without finding a record of my birth or marriage and I know the exact dates and places for those! So I have come to the conclusion that these agencies aren't nearly as good as they say they are. On top of all this, several people have told me they have tried to get into this journal and can't
SEARCHING IN JERSEY
21 May 2006
I have just spoken to a Minto in Jersey, one of the only two in the Jersey phone book. He tells me that he went to Jersey in 1983 from Hebburn (then Co Durham, now Tyne & Wear) but he has never heard of a John Clement Minto over there. This is so frustrating as Hebburn and Birtley are just a few miles apart. He does know the other Minto in Jersey and thinks she comes from Yorkshire. John Clement Minto worked in Harrogate and one of his children was born there so a connection is possible, if unlikely. I have been trying to contact her but there is no reply to the phone but I will persistWritten by
I have just spoken to a Minto in Jersey, one of the only two in the Jersey phone book. He tells me that he went to Jersey in 1983 from Hebburn (then Co Durham, now Tyne & Wear) but he has never heard of a John Clement Minto over there. This is so frustrating as Hebburn and Birtley are just a few miles apart. He does know the other Minto in Jersey and thinks she comes from Yorkshire. John Clement Minto worked in Harrogate and one of his children was born there so a connection is possible, if unlikely. I have been trying to contact her but there is no reply to the phone but I will persistWritten by
THE DAILY MAIL
11th May 2006
TheDaily Mail has followed GMTV's example and taken up this case. If you have any knowledge of the three missing siblings please contact them or me with details. Make a middle aged lady very happy by reuniting her with her remaining sister/brothers. Watch out for Daily Mail stories over the next 10 days
LOST PARENT
11th May 2006
My wife needs the truth. Does anyone know the whereabouts of John Clement Minto? He was last heard about in Jersey in 1959 and must be well into his 80s now. He is still alive and not mentioned in any register of deaths - if you know his whereabouts please ask him to contact me or please add your comments to this journal.
My wife needs the truth. Does anyone know the whereabouts of John Clement Minto? He was last heard about in Jersey in 1959 and must be well into his 80s now. He is still alive and not mentioned in any register of deaths - if you know his whereabouts please ask him to contact me or please add your comments to this journal.
OPINIONS
I notice that 9 people read this journal in its first hour of existence. I'm impressed. Don't be shy, add your ideas and opinions. I won't delete them unless they are obnoxious and you could just provide the snippet that leads to something much bigger. Thanks in anticipation
REVIVING AN OLD BLOG
The following is an old blog I'd like to revive;the subject matter is still important to me but is about to be lost because I have dumped AOL for lousy service. This was Blog of the Week on AOL and received about1275 hits in a very short time
9 May 2006
The Minto Family Reunions
The ongoing search for my wife's missing siblings. A journey of discovery with it's fair share of highs and lows. A journey that has changed both our lives forever.
All About Me
I have a job which has hardened me to some of the horrible things in life and I am just another henpecked husband of 34 years standing but even I have shed a few tears at the sheer emotion of the things that have happened to my wife over the last 2 years. Remember that these reunions have all taken place after more than 50 years separation. We're just ordinary people and I hope that anyone reading this will take heart and see that the magic can happen to you. Fairy tales do happen - even in the 21st Century!
9 May 2006
Looking for my wife's siblings
The Minto Family Reunions
The ongoing search for my wife's missing siblings. A journey of discovery with it's fair share of highs and lows. A journey that has changed both our lives forever.
All About Me
I have a job which has hardened me to some of the horrible things in life and I am just another henpecked husband of 34 years standing but even I have shed a few tears at the sheer emotion of the things that have happened to my wife over the last 2 years. Remember that these reunions have all taken place after more than 50 years separation. We're just ordinary people and I hope that anyone reading this will take heart and see that the magic can happen to you. Fairy tales do happen - even in the 21st Century!
9 May 2006
Looking for my wife's siblings
My wife recently discovered that she was one of 9 (nine) children taken into care and widely dispersed. This occurred in the late 1940s/early 1950s. There were six girls and three boys and we have reunited five girls and a boy but we are desperate to find the others. It is frustrating and heart wrenching to see my wife's disappointment at things grinding to a halt. Can you help? The family name was MINTO and they came from the Birtley area near Chester le Street in Co Durham. The missing siblings are George Andrew and Irene Yvonne who were fostered and John Derek who was adopted. The first two around 1946/1947 and the latter in 1953. They have almost certainly changed their surnames to the foster/adoptive family names as indeed my wife did. If anyone in the area can help, I would be most grateful for any information, however trivial, that might kickstart the research.
9 May 2006
LOOKING FOR MY WIFE’S SIBLINGS
Successes so far have been discovering a sister in Australia, another in Scotland and two locally. We also had the mega-emotional first meeting with a brother (living in the Midlands) live on national television just a couple of weeks ago. Thanks to Penny and Andrew on GMTV; their contribution will never be forgotten.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)