Orphan Smith: My Father’s Secret

by BBC Studios, Megan Follows (Narrator), Turi King (Narrator)

When a DNA test blows apart her father’s hidden identity many years after his death, Deb finds she has a sister, Barbara, and an entirely new family she never knew. As the sisters work to unravel more of their father’s secrets, they find his connection to a dark chapter of British-Canadian history. Will the sisters finally get to the bottom of their father’s past? Or are some secrets meant to stay buried forever?

From BBC Studios, the producers of hits such as Stalked and To Catch a Scorpion as well as Audible Originals Mother, Neighbor, Russian Spy and I Am Not Nicholas comes Orphan My Father’s Secret, a gripping seven-part series that follows a daughter’s search for the truth.

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction

Audible Audio

Published July 3, 2025

Reviews

[Ally Marov · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

This story began with a DNA test and it’ll end with a DNA test. It’s because of their sons DNA, that Barbra and Deb first met and realised they share a father… without it, William Smith’s story might never have come to light.

✨2.5 stars✨

Yet another short audiocast listen to add to the collection 😂

Going to keep this a bit short and sweet as there isn’t much to say about it.
The title had me intrigued, I thought that it would be more focused on the double life that William Smith was living but it turned into an episode of ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ halfway which wasn’t the vibe I was looking for.

I will say though, if I could give 5 stars based on the narrator… 1000% I would because you’re telling me that the OG Anne of Green Gables was picked?! Loved it!

Overall, another not-a-must listen BUT I will say, if you’re a big history fan or interested in learning about people’s genealogy, I would recommend 🌻✨

[Karen Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting to uncover orphanages and the migration during that time.

I had zero knowledge or even awareness of this having happened so learning this story and all the peoples stories that have been directly and indirectly related is very educational

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

heartbreaking and fascinating.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really sure what to make of this.

[Jennifer Radack · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, but not for the reasons I normally would give 3 it’s worth a listen
This was an interesting quick listen on audible plus about the “home children”, which I knew little about being from the US. Having a grandfather who was placed in an orphanage at 3, then bounced around in the foster system, I have read extensively on the US orphan situation during the depression era, which is tragic. These home children sent to Canada and Australia were basically sent to be legal “slaves” on farms and was an effort to “cleanse” the UK of “undesirable humans”. This was another level of heartbreak. I gave it a 3 because it was not really a “book” it was more a story, think listening to a dateline episode. It was told through some of the surviving children as they pieced together their father’s past that he never spoke of after discovering relatives they didn’t know of through modern day DNA testing after his death. I can empathize for their father as my grandfather was not very open and was brief with his experience with the foster/orphan system in his childhood. I can appreciate the trauma associated with such conversations, but looking back I wish I had understood if better and would have e been able to have e more intelligent conversations providing him a safe place of non judgement to discuss. As much as these stories break my heart as a descendent of a child who was “given away” to an orphanage after his mother’s death in childbirth by my great grandfather who struggled with addiction, it’s important for me to understand, even the hard parts. It has helped me fully understand the depth of his bond to me and why above anything else he would have done anything for the family he created. It’s unfortunate that so many kids were not as fortunate to break that cycle and process through their trauma to fully love and be who they were in adulthood.

Quick free listen on audible plus if you are looking.

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story pretty typical for the 80s. No one likes divorce. I tell my brothers sons go find young girls, women who want children and give it to them love is abundant and endless a woman who has one child gets fixed and traps a man into a limited situation is intolerable so, do not restrict your human ability to reproduce. Be abundant and generous in all you do. Attempt to understand Solomon’s wisdom.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love DNA stories and genealogy so I was especially looking forward to this.
I eagerly listened and the main facts were revealed fairly early on. I kept listening waiting to learn more, but there wasn't really much more to know.
It was quite repetitive and it could have been much shorter.
Even in the last 10 minutes I was keenly listening wanting there to be a fantastic bombshell reveal but no, there was nothing. The end.

[Meg’sLostInABook · Rating 3 out of 5]

A scandalous story that uncovers William as having a second family and of living a double life. This is a true story which specialists uncover the truth of Williams upbringing from the 1920s to the 21st Century.
Fans of long lost family will absolutely love this heart-felt true story of loss, lies and life.

I devoured this from start to finish 👌🏻

[Norma · Rating 3 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Don't tell me: I don't want to know."

Years after her father's death when her own children have grown, the daughter of one William Smith decided to look into his origins via DNA. Quite interesting but would have been much more so without the hyperbole and over dramatized presentation.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a documentary about the Home Children, orphans and children from not-well-off families from post-WWII England who were sent to Canada. Canadian farmers could house the children and use them for labor until they reached adult age. What began as family genealogy, turned into a much more scandalous investigation, uncovering secret families and hidden lives.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this would be about Canada's Home Children. As soon as I was on Chapter two, I knew. My great grandfather was a Home Child so this was intriguing to me even though I know plenty about why there were 100,000 children sent from England to Canada and their stories. It was still an enlightening read.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd heard and read about the Home Children before but this account is heartbreaking. So many lives could have been different if governments had some decency and taken accountability. Saying sorry doesn't do anything when you've ruined lives.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Families and people are complex, and you can never know with 100% certainty about the past. I’m constantly amazed by the past. Just happy this story wasn’t about ppl who crumbled or lost their ever-loving minds because of a DNA testing

[Smooballs · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting dive into a families history of their deceased fathers past, and shines a light on the history of Home Children - which I don’t think a lot of people know about, because I know I didn’t.

[Sylvie Rochon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook is full cast and sounds like an episodic podcast. It tells the story of two family's who unbeknownst to them had the same father. But the story goes deeper and uncovers secrets that could shame both Britain and Canada. It was interesting. Loved the fact that it's a full cast!

[Roberta Westwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old mysteries
I continue to be fascinated by what people discover when a family members does genetic testing and find a relative they never knew about. This one has some pretty far reaching ripple effects. Definitely an interesting listen.

[Hilary Cockshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Misty Ely · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a powerful story for a short little book.

[Robin Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was just meh... It did pique my curiosity about the Waifs and Strays program in Britain and Canada, so I did a bit of research on that.

[Nathalie Hoedt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good audio listen. I treated it as a podcast, and a very interesting one it was.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely interesting & important for a family to learn their father’s history but based on the description, I was thinking this would be a more scandalous story.

[Jennifer Payton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow the past can hold so many secrets. Good read!

[Kris Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Done in a day

[Tracy Hollen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Grace Roberts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty interesting personal story that includes concepts of generational trauma, wealth disparity, guilt and history. Easy listen.

[Dana Zanotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story and eye opening about these poor young boys!

[Bruce Cline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every interesting albeit tragic story — a tiny piece of vast social dysfunction.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful look at the power of DNA and genealogical research.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 - I actually learned something.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well presented (though sometimes over-dramatized) historically significant story. Very interesting to learn about this aspect of history through the lens of one family's impact.