Jodi McDaniel says her quest to uncover the truth about her family was a “lightning” enigma that led to an emotional encounter with her biological father, who never knew she existed.
The 53-year-old Muskoka woman says she was born in Oakville, Ontario, and was followed as a baby. Although her adoptive circle of relatives didn’t need to report her adoption, she says she grew up in Burlington, Ontario. , with loving parents and a younger sister who also followed.
About six years ago, she enrolled in the AncestryDNA testing program, which put her in touch with relatives of either of her birth parents. He said he was shocked when he was informed that more than 400 members of his circle of relatives were on the list. It is also enteró. su ethnicity: it is most commonly Scottish, Irish, and English, with some Liberian and Sudanese ancestry.
In total, he has so far discovered his biological father, a half-brother, a first cousin, 14 first cousins, six third cousins, and 608 fourth cousins.
“When Ancescheck and 23andMe and all the (DNA testing) systems came out, I did them all and found relatives everywhere,” McDaniel said in a video interview with CTVNews. ca, noting that he emailed several of them to test them. out. how are related.
The pandemic has been a blessing in disguise, she says, giving her time to study her birth family. “It’s been an incredible adventure and it’s exactly this downtime due to COVID that has allowed me to do it. “
Thanks to those DNA tests, she was able to locate her first cousin Lucy and a first cousin. Four years ago, Lucy and Amber, his first cousin’s wife, helped McDaniel get in touch with his biological father, Bryce Aitken.
At first, McDaniel couldn’t, it was him.
Jodi McDaniel, shown at the age of one, followed her when she was a baby. (Jodi McDaniel)
He began seriously researching his family’s history about 20 years ago. After begging the hospital where he was born to release its records, McDaniel was able to locate his birth mother.
She says she showed up at her birth mother’s house with flowers. Her birth mother welcomed her internally and told her that she thought her biological father had passed away. But her birth mother didn’t need an appointment with her, McDaniel said.
“They were very young and I’m grateful that she abandoned me because, I don’t know, at 16. . . I might take care of myself a little bit,” McDaniel said. You may not believe in taking care of a child, a baby. Then (she) abandoned me and I actually had a lot of opportunities because I grew up in a circle of relatives who were looking for a child. “
McDaniel says he did his own research, created spreadsheets, and cross-referenced his knowledge and research. During a FaceTime conversation, McDaniel said Lucy, who is Aitken’s niece, proved that he was dating McDaniel’s birth mother.
Bryce Aitken’s DNA test results, shown in a screenshot, showed that he is Jodi McDaniel’s father.
Although he had his doubts, McDaniel says to send an email to his biological father. He wrote a letter, edited it about 15 times, and introduced himself to Aitken. In the email, she explained when she was born, details of her birth mother, and described how she connected with her cousins through DNA programs.
She gained a reaction the next day. McDaniel described feeling happy, overwhelmed and excited when she opened the email and her biological father showed her the main points of their connection.
It was an instant bond that developed, she said, making her feel a connection to Aitken, who never married and had no other children, and his family. He says he loves hearing how much he resembles his father, who has the same eyes and nose.
He discovered that he had grown up minutes away from him in Burlington and worked for the same parent company.
After exchanging emails, they made the decision to reach out by phone. In their first phone conversation, she said they both cried a lot and she kept repeating, “I can’t, it’s you. “
“We were very pleased to see others again,” he said.
Jodi McDaniel spends time with her father Bryce Aitken. (Jodi McDaniel)
She described the moment she finally met her biological father in October 2020 at a park in Oakville, Ontario.
“It’s like early in the morning. I’m sitting in my car doing this breathing exercise,” she said, noting that she was nervous. “So, I knew everything was going to be OK. But I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life. “”.
She tried to make a video talking to herself for a vlog, but at first she says, “I couldn’t even utter a phrase, a word. I’m crying. “
When they first met, she and Aitken were red-eyed from crying.
“It’s like one of those moments,” he said. I wish someone had filmed it. . . We were satisfied and saddened. We went to lunch and kept hugging each other like it was amazing. “
McDaniel says he was “excited” to meet the woman he didn’t know he had. He added that they meet every few months.
“He had no idea,” she added. He was surprised. “
She learned that he was an avid birdwatcher, photographer and that he was retired. Both enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities.
She says he ordered a DNA test, which later showed their relationship.
Aitken visited her family, along with her husband and two daughters, in Muskoka the following month, where they shared stories.
“He’s never been married, he’s never had any other kids that he knows of, and all of a sudden he’s a father and grandfather now and it’s a cool story,” McDaniel said.
Last summer, she met her long-lost biological father’s part of her circle of relatives on Prince Edward Island. “I have cousins and I met my uncles, and it’s just amazing to be so welcome in this circle of relatives. that two years ago he never met me. “
She says she and her biological father started a culture of sending selfies to others on a daily basis. Before speaking to CTVNews. ca, she says she sent him a photo of herself showing the effects of the AncestryDNA match.
Jodi McDaniel spends time with her father Bryce Aitken. (Jodi McDaniel)
Jodi McDaniel was first reunited with long-lost relatives on Prince Edward Island in the summer of 2023 (Jodi McDaniel).
His discoveries about DNA don’t stop there. He has created his own kin tree with about 7,000 people, some of whom date back to the 17th century.
“I’m fascinated by his story. So now it’s kind of a hobby. “
Before Christmas, she found out through AncestryDNA that a friend of hers was a fourth-degree relative on Aitken’s side.
A distant cousin of his late adoptive father recently told him that he had made a tree from the circle of relatives and that he might have discovered someone who was his half-brother.
He would meet his apparent half-brother Wayne in late March and observe how much he resembles his adoptive father, adding his mannerisms.
“My center is full. I’m so grateful for all the good that came out of this,” McDaniel said. “It’s been an incredible journey. “
Jodi McDaniel and her biological father Bryce Aitken are together for the first time. (Jodi McDaniel)
Jodi McDaniel spends time with her cousin Carol. (Jodi McDaniel)
Jodi McDaniel spends time with her Aunt Janet. (Jodi McDaniel)
CTV News asked readers to share their findings after 23andMe, Ancestry, MyHeritage and other genealogy internet sites. These internet sites have reported stories about finding family circle secrets, locating long-lost relatives, and exploring family circle trees. Another hundred people responded to our call.
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