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Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida
WHEN ANNE HANSON’S DAD FIRST ASKED her to investigate the secret past of his parents, little did she know what she was getting into.For two decades, despite all her digging, she failed to unearth even the tiniest speck of evidence that the families of her grandparents, Frank and Ida Hanson, had ever existed. If her quest were a detective novel, its title would have been, “The Case of the Missing Ancestors.”
Finally, Anne unearthed her grandparents’ true identities and the secrets they took their graves. Journeying into an early twentieth century drama of pain and heartache, she solved a mystery from an era when a young couple, thwarted by social conventions, could simply vanish and create new lives. They radically altered their family destiny, with aftereffects that reverberated for generations.
Buried Looking for Frank and Ida is, ultimately, a love story. When she learned the truth of her grandparents’ past, Anne comprehended the true depth of their love. Buried Secrets also illuminates the love between a dad and the daughter who gave him answers he had longed for his entire life.
Finally, Anne unearthed her grandparents’ true identities and the secrets they took their graves. Journeying into an early twentieth century drama of pain and heartache, she solved a mystery from an era when a young couple, thwarted by social conventions, could simply vanish and create new lives. They radically altered their family destiny, with aftereffects that reverberated for generations.
Buried Looking for Frank and Ida is, ultimately, a love story. When she learned the truth of her grandparents’ past, Anne comprehended the true depth of their love. Buried Secrets also illuminates the love between a dad and the daughter who gave him answers he had longed for his entire life.
- GenresNonfictionMysteryHistory
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 23, 2022
280 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
July 2, 2023
Well-written chronicle of a genealogical mystery, solved by some good research. I will admit, I love reading about a research case study, and this one was excellent--the author did a good job of keeping the suspense going throughout the book as she tracked down the details of her grandparents' hidden pasts. My one quibble--I could have done without the "imagining the past" segments in which the author used her imagination to describe possible scenes in the family saga. The writing in those segments, unlike the competent narration of the rest of the book, includes some pretty dreadful purple prose.
May 23, 2023
This would be a great book for anyone thinking about researching their family history or looking for unknown ancestors as it is a mystery with genealogical research as the means to the answers. It definitely builds curiosity into one's heritage and whether or not they know what they think they know about their ancestry.
One problem though is that this book is now somewhat dated in that the non-fiction story evolved prior to the widespread use of at home DNA testing and comparison of matches (known and unknown). The story takes place around 2002 (with flashbacks as info is learned about mystery ancestors). Even online research was in its infancy at that time. So today the search would have been much easier in many regards.
The story involves beloved grandparents who refused to tell the granddaughter anything about their past and even lied about the few details they did report. Changed names and assumed identities and even hidden locations or origin set the background for the searches.
One problem though is that this book is now somewhat dated in that the non-fiction story evolved prior to the widespread use of at home DNA testing and comparison of matches (known and unknown). The story takes place around 2002 (with flashbacks as info is learned about mystery ancestors). Even online research was in its infancy at that time. So today the search would have been much easier in many regards.
The story involves beloved grandparents who refused to tell the granddaughter anything about their past and even lied about the few details they did report. Changed names and assumed identities and even hidden locations or origin set the background for the searches.
April 30, 2023
This is almost like reading a mystery detective novel, only it's a true story about real people. It's amazing how a creative search for records, in addition to fortuitous encounters with just the right people at just the right time, can unlock stories that have been carefully hidden for decades. If you like mysteries, or you're interested in the process of genealogy, you should enjoy this.
June 14, 2023
Terrible!
I never thought I would finish the book loaded with WAY TOO MUCH information! And the "Imagining the Past" throughout? Goog grief. The author needed none of that and should have applied brevity and it had potential. Not the way it is currently written. Rewrite it and edit! Don't waste your time!
I never thought I would finish the book loaded with WAY TOO MUCH information! And the "Imagining the Past" throughout? Goog grief. The author needed none of that and should have applied brevity and it had potential. Not the way it is currently written. Rewrite it and edit! Don't waste your time!
October 9, 2023
I wanted to love this, but there was a lot of repetition and supposition about feelings and actions that can't possibly be known. Added to that were the "imagined" sections which I found distracting. I would have much rather had read about Frank and Ida's story without the author's memoir of her research journey. This would've eliminated a lot of the repetition...and so much (too much) supposition. . (What's the guideline...kill people once in your genealogical writing?). And, many times, it was hard to distinguish fact from the author's thoughts, feelings, and biases.
I'm also uncomfortable with publishing anything with family members who were not on board with it. Sure, you have the right to do it, but should you...especially if you mention them so much? Is it worth upsetting relatives? A legitimate question a genealogist must ask oneself, and it changes from situation to situation. According to the author, I guess it is okay if you don't share the same suppositions (not cited facts, mind you) of an ancestor and think you're right?
If I had to guess (and I have to), I'd want to guess Ida was abused by Tom in some way for her to do what she did. It definitely makes me feel better. But we just don't know for sure. Because humans. If you just give the facts and let the reader come to their own conclusion about Ida, 9 times out of 10--because she's a woman--the reader would come to the same conclusion. (Nevermind that a woman can make what we deem as bad decisions and choices and regret them later.)
I think one of the problems with the book is that it was trying to do too much--family history (uncited unfortunately), memoir, and historical fiction--under the guise of "memoir." But probably combining all three and elimimating citations makes it more palatable for the general reader.
I'm also uncomfortable with publishing anything with family members who were not on board with it. Sure, you have the right to do it, but should you...especially if you mention them so much? Is it worth upsetting relatives? A legitimate question a genealogist must ask oneself, and it changes from situation to situation. According to the author, I guess it is okay if you don't share the same suppositions (not cited facts, mind you) of an ancestor and think you're right?
If I had to guess (and I have to), I'd want to guess Ida was abused by Tom in some way for her to do what she did. It definitely makes me feel better. But we just don't know for sure. Because humans. If you just give the facts and let the reader come to their own conclusion about Ida, 9 times out of 10--because she's a woman--the reader would come to the same conclusion. (Nevermind that a woman can make what we deem as bad decisions and choices and regret them later.)
I think one of the problems with the book is that it was trying to do too much--family history (uncited unfortunately), memoir, and historical fiction--under the guise of "memoir." But probably combining all three and elimimating citations makes it more palatable for the general reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2022
Finding out as much as you can about your family history through genealogical research can be a fun and rewarding endeavor. Sometimes you have to dig a bit deeper than anticipated to discover roots that are tough to decipher, but the author of this book really had her work cut out for her!
Buried Secrets is a real page-turner, with new developments suddenly coming to light and unfolding for the author, Anne Hanson, after years and years of attempting to track down the mystery behind the lack of any history or family relationships that go beyond both her maternal and paternal grandparents' unverified accounts of their pasts.
The truth about the author's grandparents and why secrets remained so impenetrable for so long is finally revealed by the end of this intriguing memoir.
Buried Secrets is a real page-turner, with new developments suddenly coming to light and unfolding for the author, Anne Hanson, after years and years of attempting to track down the mystery behind the lack of any history or family relationships that go beyond both her maternal and paternal grandparents' unverified accounts of their pasts.
The truth about the author's grandparents and why secrets remained so impenetrable for so long is finally revealed by the end of this intriguing memoir.
October 2, 2022
Riveting, suspenseful and intensely personal, “Buried Secrets” is an intricately woven tale of unimaginable pain and deception kept hidden for decades, and the fiercely determined detective work that ultimately uncovered the shocking truth. Ultimately a treatise on love, family and responsibility, and the irreconcilable dictates they sometimes engender, the book manages to combine all the elements of a great mystery with deep insight into the nature of human behavior.
December 7, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! I listened to the audiobook version and I couldn't get enough. I was VERY interested to find out the mystery of who Frank and Ida were, and I was impressed with Anne's (the author's) research and genealogy skills. I appreciated the fact that the author didn't reveal the answers to the mystery for a long time, and that kept me curiously guessing and intently reading. (For what it's worth, I tried to guess what the mystery was, but I was wrong... but that's actually pretty common for me with mysteries ha ha.)
It was interesting to hear the steps the author had to go through before the modern conveniences of the internet and excellent genealogy websites -- but even more interesting because some of her research happened during a time that the internet and those websites were in their infancy, so she had opportunities to use the early versions of them.
There's enough 20th century history, family secrets, and research description that I think it could be enjoyed by people who aren't interested in genealogy -- but it's going to be much more enjoyable if you're interested in genealogy. Just understand that many of the methods Anne had to use are so much easier now.
Other reviews have mentioned not liking the "imagining the past" sections. I didn't agree with those reviews- I find that genealogists (amateur or professional) spend a fair amount of time imagining the past - we don't know exactly why people did the things they did, so we have to try to use what we do know (about history, human nature, and about the people themselves) to try to make educated guesses about what happened.
I enjoyed the ongoing description of the author's relationship and interactions with her father, and his reactions to the research she was doing.
It was interesting to hear the steps the author had to go through before the modern conveniences of the internet and excellent genealogy websites -- but even more interesting because some of her research happened during a time that the internet and those websites were in their infancy, so she had opportunities to use the early versions of them.
There's enough 20th century history, family secrets, and research description that I think it could be enjoyed by people who aren't interested in genealogy -- but it's going to be much more enjoyable if you're interested in genealogy. Just understand that many of the methods Anne had to use are so much easier now.
Other reviews have mentioned not liking the "imagining the past" sections. I didn't agree with those reviews- I find that genealogists (amateur or professional) spend a fair amount of time imagining the past - we don't know exactly why people did the things they did, so we have to try to use what we do know (about history, human nature, and about the people themselves) to try to make educated guesses about what happened.
I enjoyed the ongoing description of the author's relationship and interactions with her father, and his reactions to the research she was doing.
March 5, 2023
Buried Secrets is about a family’s secret that went unknown for generations until the author uncovered it. This book is part memoir but also includes pieces of the ‘imagined past’. Both sides of this story, the current day quest to figure out past secrets and also the love story of a couple from 80 years ago, are captivating, romantic, and emotional. While there were so many reasons the author wanted to uncover her family’s secret, it certainly brought up painful past events. Bringing together families who never knew the other side existed, the author describes new relationships that formed based on her research for the book. This book was also historical and informative, taking the reader through the evolution of various eastern United States cities during the first half of the 20th century.
The author magnificently combined what she learned about her family’s past with her journey to find out these secrets in the present. The most intriguing aspect to this book was the ups and downs that come with uncovering an old family secret. There were many joyful moments that came out of this, but painful ones as well. I was engaged in this journey the entire time, and felt I was right there next to the author during her search for her family’s secrets.
Buried Secrets was an excellent book that I highly recommend.
The author magnificently combined what she learned about her family’s past with her journey to find out these secrets in the present. The most intriguing aspect to this book was the ups and downs that come with uncovering an old family secret. There were many joyful moments that came out of this, but painful ones as well. I was engaged in this journey the entire time, and felt I was right there next to the author during her search for her family’s secrets.
Buried Secrets was an excellent book that I highly recommend.
June 4, 2024
Long and repetitive- yawn!
I almost gave up on this one! I guess it took me a long time to get through this book because I don’t come from a family of college graduates like the author did- and took every opportunity to point out.
Was there really any need for her to inform her readers that living family members she found didn’t pursue “higher education” while discussing their religious and political preferences? It’s almost like she was trying to make them sound like ignorant Bible thumping conservatives and make herself and her family sound superior because they only believe in science and are all so educated. Overall, her writing style was excessively wordy and way too full of details. I have personally used genealogy resources to find family members and uncover family secrets. I never felt compelled to write a book about it to share my accomplishments with the world.
I almost gave up on this one! I guess it took me a long time to get through this book because I don’t come from a family of college graduates like the author did- and took every opportunity to point out.
Was there really any need for her to inform her readers that living family members she found didn’t pursue “higher education” while discussing their religious and political preferences? It’s almost like she was trying to make them sound like ignorant Bible thumping conservatives and make herself and her family sound superior because they only believe in science and are all so educated. Overall, her writing style was excessively wordy and way too full of details. I have personally used genealogy resources to find family members and uncover family secrets. I never felt compelled to write a book about it to share my accomplishments with the world.
February 17, 2023
I felt as though I were right there with Anne as she searched for the truth about her grandparents. Her descriptive narration along with imagined sections provide the reader with just the right combination to keep us on the edge of our seat, rooting for her to solve the mystery of her family background. Anne’s astute descriptions of the places and people paint an interesting picture with some unexpected turns in the road along the way. Her story shows us that perseverance pays off. She is to be commended for not giving up and for her honest portrayal of the people who came into her life. What a wonderful gift to her father! I recommend this book to anyone interested in mysteries, memoirs, and genealogical research.
May 31, 2023
Because I am interested in genealogy and have researched my own family, I looked forward to reading this book. I appreciated her methodology in research and her patience in evaluating data that she discovered. But much of the book was about her beliefs (more religious than political) and how they meshed or opposed those of her new-found relatives. As the newly discovered family grew, I found it difficult to remember where everyone fit (grandfather/grandmother). Reading the reaction of Anne's father to information on the background of his parents was painful. Finding out your history and who you are as a person is not easy especially when it is so opposed to what you thought it was.
May 10, 2025
Buried Secrets Exposed
Without a doubt, this is one of the best genealogy books of recent times. While it teaches you basic methods that never die, it leaves out all the modern DNA research that might make it quick and easy but not the "right" thing to do. Her book demonstrates how family photos, old letters, newspaper clippings, census records, and family stories all put together can reveal a family secret known only to two people. Loved the author's writing style of using first person accounts describing her detailed research. The writing made you feel like she was talking to you from the green couch!
Without a doubt, this is one of the best genealogy books of recent times. While it teaches you basic methods that never die, it leaves out all the modern DNA research that might make it quick and easy but not the "right" thing to do. Her book demonstrates how family photos, old letters, newspaper clippings, census records, and family stories all put together can reveal a family secret known only to two people. Loved the author's writing style of using first person accounts describing her detailed research. The writing made you feel like she was talking to you from the green couch!
May 12, 2023
Fulfillment
After reading this book & learning about this family it helps me to persevere through my research on my own family.
All families are different but everyone has secrets or “skeletons in the closet”.
This author was relentless in her research & I am encouraged by it.
No spoiler alert, but if you love genealogical research & the twists of a family, then I would recommend this book!
I’m thankful that you found the answers you were looking for. I’m also thankful that you wrote this book!
After reading this book & learning about this family it helps me to persevere through my research on my own family.
All families are different but everyone has secrets or “skeletons in the closet”.
This author was relentless in her research & I am encouraged by it.
No spoiler alert, but if you love genealogical research & the twists of a family, then I would recommend this book!
I’m thankful that you found the answers you were looking for. I’m also thankful that you wrote this book!
July 21, 2023
This is a great mystery to read, even if you are not a genealogist. I am so in admiration of the research techniques used and the persistence of the author in following every last thread. There may be no more important question to ask than Who am I? Who contributed the traits that make me the person I am? In this book, there was a lot of difficult information the family finally learned, and it helped that the author had the support and encouragement of her father, not to mention how often she found eagerness to know her and acceptance by the new family members she met.
August 10, 2023
Excellent. This story draws the reader in, wanting to know more. Anne Hanson's grandparents, Frank and Ida, never told their sons much about their past. When one daughter-in-law, Virginia, interviewed Ida, she supplied some family names and places, but they didn't lead anywhere. It was only after their deaths when author Anne Hanson finally received their old photos that she was able to find the clues the lead to the surprising solution. As fascinating as any mystery novel, but actually true! Highly recommended.
March 12, 2024
What a journey.
Such a good read. I think the story is one that takes place the world over, of family, starting over, toes that bind, abandonment, reinventing yourself, family, morés, secrets, half truths, assimilation and buried truths. In the advent of discovery thru DNA legacy sites I am fascinated by the stories I read and hear. Anne Hanson did it without a DNA search and does a beautiful job of knitting together so much discovery with candor and pathos. I couldn’t put it down.
Such a good read. I think the story is one that takes place the world over, of family, starting over, toes that bind, abandonment, reinventing yourself, family, morés, secrets, half truths, assimilation and buried truths. In the advent of discovery thru DNA legacy sites I am fascinated by the stories I read and hear. Anne Hanson did it without a DNA search and does a beautiful job of knitting together so much discovery with candor and pathos. I couldn’t put it down.
November 23, 2024
I greatly enjoyed this book, as I am my family's genealogist. The author does a masterful job of weaving her own investigation into her grandparents' past lives with her own life and creative nonfiction of what might have happened in their day.
Ms. Hanson illustrates her use of increasingly improved genetic testing, research and methods to verify what she finds, and will help others in their own searches for bio family. It is so important to interview older members of your family so that you can get their information before they pass.
Very highly recommended
Ms. Hanson illustrates her use of increasingly improved genetic testing, research and methods to verify what she finds, and will help others in their own searches for bio family. It is so important to interview older members of your family so that you can get their information before they pass.
Very highly recommended
November 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this true genealogical mystery, even with the inspired-by-real-events fictional vignettes added in. My only quibble (and reason for fewer than 5 stars) is that there are several instances of the author repeating herself across different sections of the book. I think if I hadn’t been so engrossed as to want to finish the book in just a few sittings (if more time had elapsed between reading sessions), I might not have noticed descriptions being repeated verbatim. The fact that I was engrossed, though, is a testament to how compelling a story the author told.
January 19, 2026
Interesting and tedious
I'm an amateur genealogist, very amateur, and enjoy family histories. The fact this the actual story of a real family was fascinating.
But the length and description of every detail was tedious. Anne was pretty good at keeping the multitude of family members over the generations clear. you
The secret story involved was fascinating. The facts of historical norms were interesting also. I knew some of them but not all.
One doesn't think about the emotional toil to present and future generations our decisions might make.
I'm an amateur genealogist, very amateur, and enjoy family histories. The fact this the actual story of a real family was fascinating.
But the length and description of every detail was tedious. Anne was pretty good at keeping the multitude of family members over the generations clear. you
The secret story involved was fascinating. The facts of historical norms were interesting also. I knew some of them but not all.
One doesn't think about the emotional toil to present and future generations our decisions might make.
November 14, 2022
Author Anne Hanson delves deep into her family history to pry open mysteries long thought locked away in the past. She weaves facts meticulously researched over many years with creative prose in which she imagines the scenes that surpassed with her grandparents Frank and Ida. Out of love for her father and family, she uncovers the bittersweet truth about a universal story of love, abandonment and redemption.
February 13, 2023
Amazing true detective story! Loved following Anne's journey to discover the family secret. Her search ended up as a convoluted family history, as she tried to figure out her grandparents' past since the original genealogy and stories the parents told did not make sense. Old photos held amazing clues, but love is the overriding theme.
Questions I have after reading: how much of the "honeymoon" trip story was probably true and why Akron?
Questions I have after reading: how much of the "honeymoon" trip story was probably true and why Akron?
June 26, 2023
Wonderful story
As many others have said, I just couldn't put this book down. You feel like you know these people and want to know more. It's very well done and a true joy to read. While there are many things in this story to feel sad about, it almost makes you feel grateful to learn what someone can go through and still thrive.
I feel that I'll think of the people for a long time to come.
Give it a go. You'll be glad you did.
As many others have said, I just couldn't put this book down. You feel like you know these people and want to know more. It's very well done and a true joy to read. While there are many things in this story to feel sad about, it almost makes you feel grateful to learn what someone can go through and still thrive.
I feel that I'll think of the people for a long time to come.
Give it a go. You'll be glad you did.
September 16, 2023
A Wonderful Story Of Discovery
What a great story of discovery, forgiveness, love, and family. This is a lesson to learn from the past, to forgive, to understand, to let the past go, and love the future. This family was rocked by expectations that grew out of fashion and came back together by learning to accept what happened and accept what is and move forward despite all that happened.
What a great story of discovery, forgiveness, love, and family. This is a lesson to learn from the past, to forgive, to understand, to let the past go, and love the future. This family was rocked by expectations that grew out of fashion and came back together by learning to accept what happened and accept what is and move forward despite all that happened.
March 10, 2023
Who are Frank & Ida Hanson? Why are there no parents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives. While many would try to uncover the secrets of this couple, it would take almost 70 + years and a devoted grand daughter to begin breaking down the wall built by theis two people. If anything this book gets boughed down in the last 4 or 5 chapters.
April 18, 2023
I have just finished this book. It's an excellent read! Very well written and relatable on many levels. I so appreciated the love and caring Anne gives to the family members as well as the years of dedicated research. I have never been to the USA so I found the geography a little challenging as I live in the small country of New Zealand. My ancestors came from England. Thank you Anne for such a good read, I shall be recommending your book to friends.
June 29, 2023
Buried Secrets is the true story of a family mystery that took many decades to solve. Anne Hanson chronicles her search for her family's story, piece by piece, a clue here, a hint there, in a fascinating narrative that I could hardly put down. Relationships, sacrifice, suffering, history, mystery, loyalty, love, joy - all play a part in this engrossing tale of family secrets. Highly recommended!
July 10, 2023
As a family genealogist, I enjoyed the journey and discovery parts of the book. Did not care for the "imagining the past" sections. They did not add to the book as far as I was concerned.
Also, I felt the author was a bit snobbish in regards to her uneducated relatives -- as if they didn't quite measure up to her standards. A bit offputting.
Also, I felt the author was a bit snobbish in regards to her uneducated relatives -- as if they didn't quite measure up to her standards. A bit offputting.
July 21, 2023
A Daughter's Love For Her Dad and His History
This book started off slow and only gradually became a mystery thriller, as multiple family members become engaged with the narrative. The author undoes 8 decades of lies about her grandparents' origin to bring her father closure and heal the family. Heartwarming and Fulfilling!💜
This book started off slow and only gradually became a mystery thriller, as multiple family members become engaged with the narrative. The author undoes 8 decades of lies about her grandparents' origin to bring her father closure and heal the family. Heartwarming and Fulfilling!💜
July 27, 2023
interesting and highly personal
Interesting story of the author researching the truth of her paternal grandparent’s lives. Writing is confusing at times especially when she switches from referring to her father as Dad but switches to using his given name in subsequent paragraphs. Grandmother Ida takes little heat for abandoning her son Thomas to run away with Frank Hanson.
Interesting story of the author researching the truth of her paternal grandparent’s lives. Writing is confusing at times especially when she switches from referring to her father as Dad but switches to using his given name in subsequent paragraphs. Grandmother Ida takes little heat for abandoning her son Thomas to run away with Frank Hanson.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews