In my quest to connect with my birth mother, I will attempt to communicate what I know about “Banister World,” based on what I’ve found on the internet and my new connection, Janine. She turns out to be the granddaughter of Fred Banister, who would be my biological grandfather’s (Ivan “Pete” Banister) younger brother. They were both part of the family of eight brothers, including twins that apparently died in 1916. “Pete” was born in 1902, Joe 1904, Fred 1906, Lewis 1908, Clyde 1911, Ora 1913, and the deceased twins in 1916.

It’s amazing to me (and confirmation of the accuracy of the 23andMe lab tests) that these DNA results provided the link between Janine and me as “second cousins.” There is still an unidentified “first cousin” link that has not yet responded to my messages. If Janine is this closely related, then this other anonymous DNA connection has to be a “relative” on the level of our biological parents. I will try some additional messaging with the new specifics that I have on our potential relationship.

The next generation of the six surviving Banister brothers (Janine sent me a picture) also includes her mother Audrey’s brother, Jerry William Banister born in Shelbyville in 1939 along with Sally and Vernel, who both had children, as well. My birth name was Jerry Lee Banister, perhaps named after what would be my birth mother’s uncle? It’s still a mystery why she named both me and her first legitimate son Jerry? His name is Jerry Lee Poole and this was years before Jerry Lee Lewis made the moniker famous.  

My birth mother, Edna Faye’s siblings totaled seven including twin boys, who each had families of their own. Furthermore, there were four additional family branches that were comprised of the offspring of my grandfather Pete that have yet to be accurately identified. There seem to be Banister branches sprouting from everywhere! I will continue to update my Ancestry.com tree as I get more information. Needless to say, “Banister World” is currently an overwhelming group of strangers that I try to get my mind around.

Janine has been great about giving me family details, but I don’t want to wear out my welcome. She’s even graciously invited me to give her a phone call but warns of reluctance on my birth mother’s part. I will give this all a rest for a week or so until I return home from this Mediterranean cruise that we’re on. I couldn’t be any further away from “Banister World.”