A Broken Tree: How DNA Exposed a Family's Secrets

by Stephen F. Anderson

All families have stories and all families have secrets. Some stories can be hidden forever. Others come out over time, or suddenly through revelation. With the advent of easy to obtain and cheap DNA kits, more and more people are stumbling across biological secrets they never suspected, sometimes with happy outcomes, but sometimes with shocking results.

In this book, the author provides a real-life example of the shocking revelations and aftermath of DNA investigation. Growing up as one of nine children, Stephen Anderson suspected from a young age that something was amiss. A chance accident, and a small crack in the history of his family broke open. More would come to be revealed as the author sets out on a journey to find answers to his questions. Any reader wondering what a DNA test might reveal will find here one extreme example of family secrets gone awry. As each member learns more about his or her own identity, new family members pop up, fade out, or pass away before relationships can be established or even revealed.

More and more people are undergoing DNA tests and seeking to find long lost relatives though ancestry searches. What they find might upturn all their shared assumptions about family, identity, belonging, and history. Join Stephen as he uncovers his own family’s secrets, the impact they’ve had on his life and his family’s, and what they are all doing now to heal fresh wounds.

Genres: Nonfiction, Family, Audiobook, Memoir

168 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2019

Reviews

[Maiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

The discoveries of this family tree are way more interesting than anything I’ll ever find in mine. But once the “mystery” part wrapped up, the book really lost me at the FAQ section. Didn’t really bother to finish it. However, it kept my attention for a cumulative 4 hours. If you’re interested in family history or DNA discoveries this is a pretty good story for an extreme end of the spectrum.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is fascinating and I was enjoying it at the beginning. However, from about the middle on it dragged with repeating what he had already said. I also wish he'd given more detail instead of saying things like "she had done some really bad things"... over and over again... without any more explanation than that.

[Michelle N · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting book about family secrets and DNA connections.

[Leanne Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an account of one man's search for his siblings' paternity after it emerged that his mother may have had many affairs during the course of her marriage, resulting in children from lots of other men. I read it in the audio format and found it both fascinating and helpful in regard to my own genetic genealogy.
One story, for example, made me curious about my rhesus negative blood type, prompting me to research whether this is a signal of an NPE or simply the appearance of a recessive gene in my DNA.
The process of investigation that the author describes inspired me to jot down some of the stories I had heard over the years relating to our family. Being reminded of the value of oral history, I resolved to set up and record interviews from my relatives using the questions I have put on file for such purposes. I created a new file for genealogy goals and resolved to be more strategic in the way I conduct research.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastically compelling quick read about one family's explosive secrets coming out as DNA testing becomes available. The author is a specialist in genealogy and family research but he's using it to solve the mystery of his own family. The author does a really nice job of sharing his emotions, as good as Dani Shapiro in Inheritance. Unfortunately, he didn't get support from his publisher on editing -- there are weird continuity issues that could have been fixed by a Jr Editor looking over the book even once. I could not put it down, however, and felt like it was also a gentle introduction to genetic testing for those who are curious.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a remarkable story. Although a quick read, the book could have been and should have been way shorter. The story is told in a very plain spoken manner, and after the first chapter, the same facts are told over and over again. Had this book been edited well, it would have been a much better read.

[DeWayne Neel · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title of this book suggests, all family tees are not beautiful yard ornaments, shaped well while being properly cared for. In my family and friend circle of nieces, nephews, and co-workers one finds adoptions in which some search for "lost family data" which end with both happy and unhappy results.
This family story of nine siblings using DNA to discover shocking information was started by the author, Steve, a Professional Family and Oral Historian who in his later years questioned some of the secrets of his large clan. He explores the touchy issue with his "brothers and sisters" as he attempts to understand some of the family behaviors in years past. He got the biggest shock of all, unexpectedly, since he was in the business of family history.
Since DNA tests popularity in recent times, some show that 5-10% of results reveal that the testee is likely to find out that one or both of their parents are not biologically related to them. With all of the new AI technology, large DNA files, and genetic testing companies being linked, one can find great detailed personal information that is 99% accurate in a matter of weeks. Family secrets are being revealed.
Steve Anderson spends the last part of the book answering questions from potential searchers. Be warned!

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating gives a 5 for the startling and fascinating story; a 3 for the writing. So, it averages to a 4 rating.
A family of nine siblings, the Anderson children's parents have a marriage that lasts 25 years; a mother who is often less than forthcoming and a father who has many good qualities, but also has a drinking problem.
I can't write much more about the actual story without spoilers. Suffice it to say that DNA plays a dominant role in this family's secrets and lies.
The author presents his story well. He is open in writing about his and his siblings' feelings and reactions to these secrets and lies.
This is a quick read. An afternoon is more than enough time to finish it. The writing is good although there is quite a bit of repetition. A bit of editing would have helped. Otherwise, I recommend reading this book. It will be especially interesting to genealogy enthusiasts and to people whose lineage is a mystery.

[Kinsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was pretty interesting, but nothing crazy special. You can tell it was just a guy that wanted to write a book about his family story, not a writer that wrote it. Let me tell you the premise of the book. Basically this guy grows up in this normal family of nine kids and a mom and a dad. As he gets older and older things start getting suspicious and so he does a DNA test and finds out that his dad is not his biological father. With more and more evidence and then DNA testing, they find out that not one of the nine children are biologically related to the dad of the family!! Apparently the mom was just sleeping around with everyone she could in the neighborhood, and many of the 9 kids grew up going to school with half siblings that they had no idea about.

"the things that happen in any marriage are unknowable to anyone but the two people in it." (pg. 91)

[Kim Woodbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an absolutely fascinating story about how DNA testing exposed the secrets of the Anderson family. It is compelling because it is so unusual and surprising. I guarantee you have never read a book quite like this one! I have known the author for 20 years and his honest experiences and heartfelt feelings come through on every page. He is a good writer, but I felt like this book needed some better editing. There were some continuity issues and confusing explanations that needed clarification by someone with a fresh perspective. Overall, however, I would definitely recommend this memorable and interesting book!

[Donna Gerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended by someone in one of my genealogy Facebook groups. It sounded so interesting that I looked to see if any of the local libraries had it and ended up getting it through interlibrary loan. I picked it up on my lunch hour and started to read it while I ate lunch. After work I started reading again and didn't put it down until I was done later that night. It was a quick and easy read, but a fascinating story about the author's family and what he learned when he did a DNA test. I don't want to give away all the things he found out on the journey that resulted from him taking the test, but highly recommend the book if you like mysteries and/or genealogy.

[Janece Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This poor family. What a shock to find out everything they had once believed in was not true. Nine children, six different dads. Yes, DNA has certainly revealed many family secrets and torn apart decades of deception. Mr Anderson's family is an extreme case no doubt but very fascinating to see how all the children responded to the revelations and dealt with the deceit.

To me, the saddest part was when at 58 he realized why his childhood friends were not allowed to play at his house. That broke my heart.

Fascintating read. I enjoyed it a lot. Format was a little strange to me but likeable.

[Amber Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me. It’s not told in the most gripping way, but uncovering one’s family history is interesting and always better than made up fiction.
5 stars for the way he wraps up the questions and answers about his parents and siblings. His whys for writing the book and the manner of looking at family history as something we should turn to and embrace really resonated with me.
3 stars for the story telling - but I’m over that. He’s not a storyteller - he’s just someone sitting through his past.

[Adri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of this family is intriguing, but it is told with SO MUCH repetition, it could be 75% shorter. Also, I'm confused by Anderson saying, repeatedly, that he doesn't want innocent relatives to know about his story if it would hurt them, but he uses lots of full names (and never says they are pseudonyms) so I'm not sure how he's planning to keep it all under wraps in a published book? But, his point, which is to explore the family secrets that can be revealed through DNA testing, is quite interesting.

[Suzanne Pixley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing Family Story

Amazing family story of discovery told by a son who grew up thinking that all family life should be like the Cleevers from 1950's tv. As he relates his discoveries about his family, starting as he was in his 50's one is spellbound with the emotions of he and his siblings. Excellent book about modern DNA and its effects on genealogy and family histories. Should be a must read for everyone working on their family history.

[Melody · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book would have made an interesting magazine article. The author repeats stories not once, not twice, but multiple, multiple times. He pads the book by referring to his putative father by his entire full name each time he is mentioned, and by reiterating his own shock and horror at the revelations every single time. Also his siblings' reactions are dwelt upon, though no actual details are given. There are other, better books about family secrets. Give this one a miss.

[Holly Ristau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book and there were really lots of family secrets! Honestly, at one point, when the author confronts his aging mother about his parentage, her response did make me laugh. This book was short but a very interesting story about what people learn when they do DNA testing. Sometimes the answers just make more questions, but this story is an amazing example of what can happen.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for many of us with adoptions , family secrets, questions about DNA and searches with surprising answers . I liked his honesty , candid comments about what he and his family faced as they found out the truth. And I liked his final chapters about how to handle the truth one never expected to learn .

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a shocking story on so many levels. Being able to test with DNA has been a game changer to so many unsuspecting folks. Moral of the story, if you are not sure you want the answers to your DNA questions, don't take the test. I too was shocked with my first DNA test, discovered I wasn't a "Tucker" back to Bermuda, someone took a detour into the "Crowder" line around the Rev War.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very well written, quick read. This book is an easy to follow quest into the author’s family tree many decades later using DNA to verify his findings, exposing family secrets and answering many questions. It was a good read.

[Julie Lonczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, complicated story. I may have to go back to read it after listening to the audible book. I have to say I am really disappointed in the narrator. His intonation was extremely dry and did not contribute to the fascinating journey the author wrote about.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story about how one man used DNA to uncover who fathered each of his siblings and himself. He alludes to the fact that with the amount of DNA testing, many family secrets will be revealed, but the author never really goes into much detail.

[Cherie Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authentic, honest and eloquently written family story. Well done and thanks for sharing.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard Stephen's story on the Extreme Genes podcast, but was still thoroughly enthralled by his book. I enjoyed hearing more details of how the story unfolded over the years.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating read and one I gobbled up. This reading is an eye opening look at one man's exploration of his past. The questions and guidance as love are worth the time read this work.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating true story of how one DNA test uncovered a closet full of family secrets.

[Brian Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author tells an engaging story. I admire his candor. I enjoyed listening to the audio version.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was a quick, but fascinating read.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting story, but the execution is surprisingly pedestrian and repetitive. Especially noticeable when you listen to it on audio.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic personal narrative related to DNA findings. Very good facts and the not so good. Really appreciate the truthfulness.