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Healing the Family Heart Holes: A Genealogical Quest to Solve an Illegal Adoption Mystery Using DNA, Old Records, and Irish Luck
This book is the personal story of how one woman traced back her maternal family history to discover the true circumstances of her mother’s illegal ‘adoption’. Using DNA, genealogical research, the kindness of new found relatives and a willingness to keep cross referencing hundreds and hundreds of new family names and locations, the story unfolded within a historical context. It became a genealogical adventure with an honest to God princess, allegations of Islamic terrorism, an Irish bog man, movie stars, old kings of Ireland, as well as poor farmers, blacksmiths and saloon keepers. But primarily it was a story of discovering the power of raw endurance and survival in the face of overwhelming horror. And understanding the strength of carrying on after the trauma of oppression, famine, and war. It is the saga of intergenerational Irish and German immigration, family tragedy and triumph. The story reminds us of how understanding what happened within our own family history can have on healing our own hearts. It can be a beginners guide to start thinking about how to figure out your own family story.
- GenresAdoption
224 pages, Paperback
Published April 18, 2019
13 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 22, 2021
This is a beautifully written, amazing story! The author embarks on a genealogical quest, a personal labyrinth into her family background and ancestry. Her unique style of writing draws the reader in as though you were engaged in a private conversation in her living room!
Viewing our present life through our ancestral ties adds depth and meaning. I highly recommend this book!
Viewing our present life through our ancestral ties adds depth and meaning. I highly recommend this book!
January 25, 2021
What a wonderful true saga of tragedy overcome by perseverence and curiosity and of course, love. Robin weaves an enthralling tale, making it difficult not to read straight through in one sitting.
January 16, 2021
Very intriguing novel! I am not a big person to read non fiction, but after I started reading this book I was hooked. The book combines a little bit of everything. It is very fascinating watching the journey unveil. The amount of time it took to construct this evidence to find the final result was unreal. Each chapter left me with more questions than the one before. As the story unraveled, I realized that this was a very compelling journey. As I got into the book, I was amazed at how much work it took. Reading this made me feel that I could try to attempt to do this with my own family history. Extremely difficult to put this book down. I almost pictured myself being in Robin's place trying to finish the puzzle. It's an incredible story and an incredible ending. Can't wait for the sequel!
January 18, 2021
What a wonderful book derived from the hard work, perseverance and persistence of the author. As an amateur genealogist who uses DNA in searching for dead relatives I was drawn to this book and couldn't put it down until the mysteries were solved. I completely understand her desire driven search, as I have had a few myself. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in their family history or just likes to play Nancy Drew and solve a mystery.
May 21, 2019
An amazing journey
I am similarly engrossed in the search for the birth father of my ex father in law (my children’s grandfather). I was so drawn in and found so many similarities between myself and the author in the way our skills grow and improve over the course of the research. I have worked on trees for all lines of my family, including my ex husband, as that relates to my kids and I know what it’s like to have that empty, unknown branch - the emptiness is not mine, but I have certainly carried a good portion of it in the 10 years I have been searching. I am fortunate to have found his birth mother’s family many years ago and I am encouraged to keep going every time I read a wonderful story of search and discovery like this one. I recommend this story for anyone who is searching for unknown family members, especially if it relates to adoption. It’s not a how to book, but a personal journey that could possibly give you some ideas of other ways to search. It’s definitely a book that will encourage you to keep going with your research journey.
I am similarly engrossed in the search for the birth father of my ex father in law (my children’s grandfather). I was so drawn in and found so many similarities between myself and the author in the way our skills grow and improve over the course of the research. I have worked on trees for all lines of my family, including my ex husband, as that relates to my kids and I know what it’s like to have that empty, unknown branch - the emptiness is not mine, but I have certainly carried a good portion of it in the 10 years I have been searching. I am fortunate to have found his birth mother’s family many years ago and I am encouraged to keep going every time I read a wonderful story of search and discovery like this one. I recommend this story for anyone who is searching for unknown family members, especially if it relates to adoption. It’s not a how to book, but a personal journey that could possibly give you some ideas of other ways to search. It’s definitely a book that will encourage you to keep going with your research journey.
March 12, 2020
Robin's Gerry's collaborative "Healing" is a heart warming family history that melds drama, melancholy, ah ha moments, esoteric lure, and redemption into one very easy readable work.
Her tireless quest to locate missing relations is anything but lineal - traversing many detours, twists and turns, to achieve a thoroughly coherent, jubilant, uplifting conclusion. Along with her dedicated partner and mentor, Louis, this sleuth synthesized much complex and seemingly disparate documentation in a mutual effort to reconcile the past, assuage the present, and offer much hope and solidarity for a better future. The reader will treasure the anecdotes both contemporary and historic, the recollections of Irish locals, the nostalgia of old world New York, the flavor of an iconic Hoboken haunt, the eeriness of a psychic's prescience, arriving at a denouement of a sisterhood unlike most others. Without bias, Gerry reconstructs her kith and kin's actions and reactions to her quest in a most compelling, down-to-earth fashion. You will feel like you're having a chat with a long lost buddy introducing a colorful cast of characters in prose that always pleases.
Her tireless quest to locate missing relations is anything but lineal - traversing many detours, twists and turns, to achieve a thoroughly coherent, jubilant, uplifting conclusion. Along with her dedicated partner and mentor, Louis, this sleuth synthesized much complex and seemingly disparate documentation in a mutual effort to reconcile the past, assuage the present, and offer much hope and solidarity for a better future. The reader will treasure the anecdotes both contemporary and historic, the recollections of Irish locals, the nostalgia of old world New York, the flavor of an iconic Hoboken haunt, the eeriness of a psychic's prescience, arriving at a denouement of a sisterhood unlike most others. Without bias, Gerry reconstructs her kith and kin's actions and reactions to her quest in a most compelling, down-to-earth fashion. You will feel like you're having a chat with a long lost buddy introducing a colorful cast of characters in prose that always pleases.
August 21, 2019
Oh Robin~ I just finished your FANTASTIC book and I am allowing myself to just sob!! My mom too was illegitimate and your book spoke so much of my life and the secret wounds we grew up with that I bet my brothers don't even realize. I am in awe of your work and experiences and so blessed by hearing your story that as I read it I actually felt like I healed a little~like wow~you guy's too!!
So many similarities, and tragedies~my family left Germany, my Mom was first generation~ so very much. In GWL you think this is just me. My story of no family, no grandparents....this crazy orphan~ism. Just wow!! Thanks for helping me to heal a bit of "my ❤ hole." Yes, you have been blessed to bless!! thanks~Linda Murchio~Meyer
So many similarities, and tragedies~my family left Germany, my Mom was first generation~ so very much. In GWL you think this is just me. My story of no family, no grandparents....this crazy orphan~ism. Just wow!! Thanks for helping me to heal a bit of "my ❤ hole." Yes, you have been blessed to bless!! thanks~Linda Murchio~Meyer
July 4, 2020
Loved this book! Recommended for any genealogist and family story lover
March 5, 2021
Robin GerryHealing the Family Heart Holes: A Genealogical Quest to Solve an Illegal Adoption Mystery Using DNA, Old Records, and Irish LuckI was amazed by Robin Gerry's story and her diligent search to find her mother's biological parents. It opened my eyes to the stories that are part of a family's past which can ultimately shape their future. We all have stories, but context is everything. Robin had the courage to share hers. Got me wondering more about my family history, especially since so many of the elders have passed on.
It also made me aware of the power of the ancestry search services out there. I had no idea. Her book gives good instruction on how to use them.
Overall, a great read.
It also made me aware of the power of the ancestry search services out there. I had no idea. Her book gives good instruction on how to use them.
Overall, a great read.
January 26, 2021
The author's mother was adopted, but somehow without papers, which made her life difficult. Robin began a quest to find her mother's history and the story of her birth.
The writing left a lot to be desired, but the quest was interesting and round-about. She took many turns on her search for the identity of her mother's parents and her conclusions are not rock solid. She really drew conclusions based on who lived near who at a certain time.
The story could have been shorter and more concise, but nevertheless she told all the twists and turns of following the trail(s) that led to her adoption information.
I give it 3 stars because I was interested in the story but I found it confusing to follow the trail.
The writing left a lot to be desired, but the quest was interesting and round-about. She took many turns on her search for the identity of her mother's parents and her conclusions are not rock solid. She really drew conclusions based on who lived near who at a certain time.
The story could have been shorter and more concise, but nevertheless she told all the twists and turns of following the trail(s) that led to her adoption information.
I give it 3 stars because I was interested in the story but I found it confusing to follow the trail.
October 14, 2021
A favorite line in Robin Gerry's memoir: "I began to think that a heart hole is maybe like a family GPS, always heading for home." This conversational account of the author's efforts to discover the mystery of her adopted mother's biological parents weaves together a poignant tapestry of hardships, hopes and longings. Science and DNA mingle with karmic encounters and psychic enlightenment. Goosebumps abound, from uncannily warm Irish welcomes abroad to a voice from nowhere saving a child from harm. The story begins with grief over what's been lost, and through the twists and turns and adventures of the author's determined genealogical quest, culminates with startling joy for lost families found.
May 2, 2023
I am a semi professional genealogist and read every book I can get my hands on related to nonfiction genealogy & dna family discoveries, they are the best mystery books. But I have to say that this book was my absolute favorite by far! Robin’s “heart hole” discoveries and immigrant stories were at times heartbreaking but then on the next page had me laughing. I laughed throughout the book at her self critiquing on learning genealogy, at her “ungrandfather” terms. Robin is one of the best writers I have been lucky enough to discover. Absolutely love this book and how Robin’s personality comes through in this book from start to end. What a treat, thank you Robin for 3 days of enjoyment, anticipation, excitement and laughter. Love this book!
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April 7, 2020When life settled down, I finally got the opportunity to read this book. I had a hard time to put it down. I wanted to cheer for the author for all her unwavering determination to find her ancestry. There were also times that I wanted to cry along with her; I was so moved. I would highly recommend this book.
June 24, 2020
Inspirational story of how a dogged determined woman traced her family tree to find her moms birth mother with very little information to go on
With words leaping from the page it was if I was beside the author as one amazing thing after another unfolded the story of how her mom had been illegally adopted at birth.
Told with grace honesty & good humor it’s an unputdownable brilliant read.
With words leaping from the page it was if I was beside the author as one amazing thing after another unfolded the story of how her mom had been illegally adopted at birth.
Told with grace honesty & good humor it’s an unputdownable brilliant read.
February 4, 2020
This was a fascinating quest to find her biological mother's roots after an illegal adoption. Robin is a good writer and often weaves humor into her story. The book is hard to put down once you get into it.
May 27, 2025
Healing the Family Heart Holes. A true tale of a Quest to solve an Illegal Adoption.
Though I, myself, have been tracing my Family tree these late 30 or so years, I fully appreciated Ms. Robin Gerry's reaction in the last 2 chapters.
What a huge search this Authoress has made!
Though I, myself, have been tracing my Family tree these late 30 or so years, I fully appreciated Ms. Robin Gerry's reaction in the last 2 chapters.
What a huge search this Authoress has made!
June 16, 2020
Very interesting story of a young woman who sets out to solve the mystery behind the illegal adoption of her mother.
June 4, 2022
Interesting read written in a quirky style.
May 5, 2023
Finding long lost relatives in Ireland, a woman unravels the mystery of who her mother was.
October 29, 2019
I am absolutely in awe ❤️ The Author's journey to find her family, and all the hard work put in is staggering! It is a very heart wrenching search, with so many leads to dead end's- yet the heart continued and determination wins! This book was hard to put down. Genealogy is a difficult road trip- but this Author's journey brings hope for all of us if we just persevere. Brilliant!
September 9, 2019
A heartwarming, stunner of a story! One of those books that you will be unable to put down. The author has a wonderful ability to put thoughts and feelings into words. From the moment I opened the book, I felt drawn into the quest to find the author's family roots. It is a wonderful story and I am delighted to have read it.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews