This is the first birthday I’ve celebrated with cards and notes from my Jerry Bannister side of the family. With DNA connections I’ve made over the past year, I’ve heard from half-siblings and cousins that I didn’t know existed a year ago. I’ve also reconnected with several cousins that I grew up with under my adoptive name of Mike Johnston. In the process, I’ve traveled to Chicago, Indiana, Washington state, and Thailand to visit with these members of my collective “family.” 

My birth father would have celebrated his 88th birthday this year, while the birth mother brought in her 86th. They were 17 and 19 years old when my fate was determined. She still continues to avoid my acquaintance, although I’ve been in touch with her son and daughter. None of them have responded, but it’s been a much more rewarding story on his side. I’ve personally visited or talked with 7 Bannisters, a Portland DNA cousin that I’ve yet to get together with, and cousins near Kennewick, Washington, although  we’ve failed to accurately link on our respective family trees. My quest will continue in year 69 of my life. 

Currently I’m at a dead-end on my Ancestry.com family tree, while new DNA connections show-up regularly. I’m approaching 15,000 people on this site that includes Bannister and Johnston relatives. On a more personal side, I’ve also been amazed with some of the common physical characteristics that I’ve found – like eyes and noses – that had never existed with my adoptive family. This is what I initially sought when I took the DNA tests and got involved with Ancestry. What started with a desire to simply see pictures evolved into a need to find out more. Without more information on my bio mother, I still have not found full closure. As another birthday passes and the chances of meeting this important woman and her family grow dimmer, I remain patient, unwilling to stir the pot of secrets any further.