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Back in September Cheryl and I sent off a spit sample to 23andme to have our DNA analyzed to learn more about our ancestors. In mid October we got the results. Our ancestors came from Europe and Prussia. Nothing new there. Then I got to see all the people whose genes supposedly matched mine. There are over 800. Most just match by a very small amount so it would be unreasonable to try to find the links to our family.
However, there are six people in my report that have significant matching genes. The top 2 are rated as 2nd cousins with the others at 3rd and 4th. The number one match is an unidentified male. I sent him a contact request but have had no reply. He just may not have returned to the website. I don't know. The number 2 match is identified as a female by the name of Jody Hanson. Since I was wondering how we are connected, I sent a contact request and she responded. We subsequently sent many emails and text messages as we worked to find how we are connected. She was put up for adoption in 1968 and had no idea who her family was ... till we matched DNA.
The only way I could answer her questions was by using Roger's genealogy research book, Our Roots Go Deep. We had to share a great grandfather. We both also share the Rudig genes so that put her on the Schmit side. Looking at Dad's siblings, only Richard who married Dorothy Schultz and had a daughter named Patricia Jean was the possible connection. Patricia had to be her Mom. Patricia married Michael Haas (Hass) in 1970, they had two kids, Richard and Melissa and then Patricia died in 2000.
Jody wanted to talk to Richard and Melissa. I did an Internet search and found them along with addresses and phone numbers. Jody also found them on Facebook. Richard has married a woman named Danielle. She saw Jody's request to chat with Richard and responded. After a bit the two got along well and Dani confirmed a lot of what we had speculated.
Jody told me, according to Dani, Patricia went to Nathan Hale High School and dated the same guy almost exclusively. Then she graduated early in 1968 and left the area. She apparently went up to stay at a farm near Neenah, WI while she had the baby. She put the child up for adoption through Lutheran Social Services in Milwaukee. Patricia was an avid diary keeper and the diaries from high school on, are with family members. In addition, Patricia and Michael had adopted Melissa from Lutheran Social Services in Milwaukee.
There is other anecdotal evidence including Blanche remembering that Dick and Dorothy came to them about an issue at that time. Jody is now connected with family members and continues to learn more about her Mom. Jody is a very nice lady and very smart.
From Jody, 
A little about me... I was adopted at one month to Carol and Larry Burkert. My mom was a stay at home mom for most of my childhood and eventually she started her own business (Caroline's Cafe). My dad was an oncologist/hematologist and worked up until he was diagnosed with cancer (75 yrs old), in 2014. For four months I was his primary caregiver. I was glad I could be there for him and think about him often. He was so generous, so kind and such a loving father.
My parents were not materialistic, they lived sensibly and chose to travel with us kids rather then spend time at a country club, so we really got to see some fantastic places. And the best part was that 90% of the time we camped, my dad just loved the outdoors. I was very lucky.
I was on my own at 18, had my daughter at 22, married her father (Vance) at 23, we had our son Kyle at 24 and later divorced. From then on I have been a single parent. Thankfully the kids are happy, healthy, responsible adults.
Val and Kyle are extremely close, and my favorite times are when I see them together, they just crack me up! Again, I consider myself very lucky.
I worked various jobs until I was 27 and decided to go to college. Those were tough years because I was also working and raising my kids alone. I took out loans to pay for college, and I still don't know how I managed it all. I suppose I was young and could get by on very little sleep! I graduated with honors with a double major in Biology and Medical Technology and double minor in Chemistry and Microbiology.
I worked in a chemistry lab through college and built hand-layed canoes out of my garage for extra money. During those years, our favorite things to do were swimming, canoeing/kayaking and camping.
I have two siblings that are also adopted (Heidi and Jon) and one that is not adopted (Matt). I am very very close to Heidi. She was adopted in Germany when my dad was in the Army in the early 70's. We were based in Ludwigsburg for 3 years. She became naturalized when she was around six years old. We spend a lot of time on the phone...talking about nothing, and we love it!
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