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Reuniting friends & family in 2010

Following are some of the emails we received in 2010, from 192.com users who took the time to share their reunion experiences with us.

Jennifer found an aunt that she never knew she had

My Father had always told me that he would have loved to know about his family and where they originated from. We started looking online and didn't get anywhere as we did not know how! Sadly my father died 4 years ago this year and I thought after his death, as a tribute to him, I would do what he would have wanted - to find his family. Anyway to cut it short, I have found out that my father's father was one of 12 children and was previously married in 1929. He also had 2 daughters that my father was unaware of so I looked in the BMD register and found that my father's sister had married. I looked her name and her husband up on 192.com and found her. I got her address and wrote to her a few weeks later. She arrived back from her holiday and found my letter explaining who I was and one night I got a phone call from out of the blue. It was my dad's sister - my "auntie"! We both just cried with happiness as she did not know that she had a brother. I would like to thank 192.com for making this happen for us. Now we call each other and we are so happy that your site has brought us together. My dad would have been over the moon! Jennifer Ammon, London

Christina found her cousin after 40 years

I found my cousin after she left the UK and went to America. We had not been in contact for over 40+ years. I traced her through 192.com. I found her ex husbands address and he gave me her address and email. It was so easy using 192.com. It took me about 10 minutes to find my cousin who I had been looking for all those years. Christina, London

Kay reunited her sister with her long lost love

I reunited my sister-in-law with her first love just over a year ago and they are getting married on Valentine's Day next year. My sister in law was deprived of oxygen at birth and therefore has moderate learning difficulties, however she got married and had two children but struggled badly. Her marriage fell apart eventually, I think both of them simply could not cope and my sister in law and her daughter (the son was living away from home with his girlfriend) came to live with me and my husband. As the daughter went to school and I worked all day my sister in law used to do the housework and shopping but had no social life. One day over a cup of tea I asked her if she would like to get out and meet someone maybe just to socialise and she said that she would really like to find this chap from years ago. She knew his name and the area where he lived last so I popped that in 192.com and he came up. I warned her that he could be married or whatever but put a short letter together apologising if he was married but if he were single would he like to get in touch and gave him her mobile number explaining that she was getting divorced and would like to see him. Every day bless her she put her phone on the side in the kitchen while she worked in case she missed his call. Then one day I pulled up on my driveway from shopping and she hurtled herself at me yelling that he had called and they were meeting up. They moved into their home together last April and have booked their wedding for Valentine's Day. The daughter loves him and calls him Dad! Well done 192.com! Kay Shearing, Epping

Michael organised a class reunion

First reunion of 12 boys who left Woodside Junior School in 1952 held in London in March 2010. One guy came from Australia, another from Liechtenstein and the rest from various parts of the UK. Michael Mead, Maidenhead

Kerry finally has the chance to meet her pen pal from the 50's

In 1955 some letters came to my school in Young, NSW, Australia, from children in London looking for ""pen pals"". I responded to one - a Pauline Kennedy who lived in Blackheath Hill, London. Pauline had the most gorgeous cheek dimples even when she wasn't smiling! We corresponded for many years - both married & had children, and then, as we got busier the letters became irregular until they finally stopped around 1975. I often thought of Pauline over the next 35 years and hoped she was having a good life. Then in 2008 I had an inexplicable nagging need to find her. I joined the site 192.com and used my family genealogy experience to try & find her. I knew her married name so wrote to every Pauline Wilkinson I could find in the London area via 192.com. None of the Pauline's I wrote to was mine! I then remembered the Christian name of one of her sisters (Pauline is from a family of 8 children) - her name was Bonita. There wouldn't be too many Bonita Kennedy's I thought - so, on 192.com I found Bonita's marriage, then her address from the 2008 edited Electoral Roll for Britain. I wrote an airmail letter to Bonita (Bunny), told her who I was, how I "knew" Pauline, my address & email address, & why I was trying to find Pauline. Thankfully, Bunny passed on my letter to a brother, who's wife Jane contacted me by email. From there, Jane passed on my details to Pauline. I received a lovely 8 page snail mail letter from Pauline a couple of weeks later, saying she had remarried, her new married name, & her address & email address. That was in mid 2009 - many emails have crossed the ocean since, and then Pauline phoned me earlier this year - oh, what a thrill to hear her voice, AND she & husband Alan, will be landing in Australia on 10th January, 2011 for a visit with me and my family! I am so excited - it is a childhood dream come true - we only had to wait until we are 65 year of age for it to come true!! What a wonderful post-Christmas time we are going to have! All this became possible because of 192.com. Thank you! Kerry Payne, Australia

Margaret is reuniting with her Godmother

I am about to fly to Aberdeen to see my godmother, who I haven't seen since I was about 10, 50 years ago! Margaret Chapman, Oxford

Joe traced a WW2 comrade

I lost the address of a comrade from WW2 and for many years I had no idea how to contact him. Out of the blue I received a Christmas card but it did not have a return address. The problem was solved through 192.com. With the address I found on your site, soon I will be sending one for 2010 and hopefully for many years to come. Thank you 192.com! Joe, Stirling

Mike found an old colleague

We were 7 Engineers working for a Company near Slough in the mid-late 1960s and, due to career progression, moving location, changing vocation etc lost touch with some former members of the team. One member proved extremely difficult to track down until I tried 192.com (which was given to me by a member of the editorial staff of a local newspaper we were using) and we have now found him and five of us have now met for lunch which we are trying to do on a regular basis. We do not know if we would have ever found him without 192.com. So thank you very much. Mike Williams

Robin finds ex-service personnel

Thanks to your website and mine over the past 10 years I have been able to reunite thousands of other people and ex-service people and also found one of my sons I haven't seen since 1968. Robin Brown

Olive has traced two cousins

I re-united with a cousin I had not seen since we were children, over 60 years ago, and she put me in touch with her sister who lives in Canada. Thanks to 192.com, I found 2 cousins again! Olive Collins

Susie found her dear friend and godson after 30 years

About three months ago I signed up with 192.com as part of a search I was making to find a very old friend plus my godson which had proved fruitless for many years. We had lost contact 27 years ago, not for any tragic reason but with me living in London and my friend Ann living near Edinburgh in Scotland. Phone calls were less than regular and my dear friend wasn't much of a letter writer. We had been friends for a few years, had met at work here in London and were as close as sisters. Ann and her then husband had a baby boy to whom I was Godmother. When they moved up to Scotland I was devastated but we kept in touch although they didn't have a phone, through letters and ringing from phone boxes. I managed to get up to see them on a few occasions but it was a long and expensive journey which didn't happen very often. The last time I saw my Godson he was 4. Eventually the phone calls stopped, Ann was separated by then and money was tight...it was a bad time for her. During the last 27 years I had thought of them many, many times and had searched the Internet as soon as I had a computer to see if I could find them. I also tried both Friends Reunited and Facebook plus other social networking sites but without success. Always on the lookout, I despaired and thought I would never speak to them again. A few months ago I was online and came across 192.com. I decided to spend a few pounds to see if I could find my dear friends. I found Ann's address within minutes! I sat down immediately to write a very emotional letter indeed. I included my telephone number but was prepared for her not to want to be reunited with her old friend, after all, I had no idea how her life had changed over the years..........I waited. Two days later I had a phone call and recognised the voice as soon as she spoke. I was speechless, it was like those 27 years were washed away and she said she had also been trying to contact me intermittently throughout the years. We have been speaking on the phone about 2 or 3 times a week since then...we have so much to catch up with. We have yet to meet up again but my Godson (now 31 years old and married) has promised to bring his mother down for a visit early next year. I can't wait. I can't tell you how this makes me feel, the happiness is quite overwhelming and I am so very happy. All those years of searching and all it took was a few minutes on 192.com. I wish I had known it existed sooner. It was well worth the few pounds it cost me. Susie

Jean found her real dad

Last June I found my dad through 192.com. Up until last year I thought another man was my dad for 33 years. When I found out that he wasn't, I was given my real dad's name. I put this name and the area he last live in into 192.com and it came up with a list of people. I phoned the first number and it was my dad! Jean Campbell

Marlyn traced estranged family members so that they could claim their inheritance

An Uncle died aged 88, earlier this year and left some money, but no will. The estate was therefore forwarded, to his next of kin, his brother. When he died, we had a family meeting and decided the money should go to his abandoned wife and children. I was asked to try to find them, which was quite daunting because I could get very little information from the family (his brothers and sisters being in their 70's and 80's), so I tried various means but finding information on the 'living' is difficult however once I got onto 192.com I was able to check the Electoral Roll and believe it or not I found them. The cheque was duly sent to them and I've been in almost daily contact with great new cousins. Marlyn

Lynsey was reunited with her half sister

In July last year, 192.com helped me to find my half sister. Prior to using 192.com, I had been looking for Vicky for nearly 3 years as I left Northern Ireland with our dad and my mother when we were very young. I spend £100's on all kinds of search engines with no helpful results. I even called the police every few months to see if they had any record of her but this was to no avail. My search continued and one day last summer, I was browsing the world wide web and I saw 192.com advertised on a search engine. I thought it would be worth a try so I put in my sister's details and there she was! So simple! After more than 10 years of never seeing her and never being able to find her, 192.com did it for me in seconds! I called her straight away and immediately booked flights over to Ireland to see her. 192.com helped me find my sister and now my son will grow up knowing his auntie. I can't express how grateful I am. Lynsey Dickson, Soton. (Story was printed in Best magazine, 14th December 2010)

Katherine found an old travel buddy

In 1994 I was backpacking on my own in China, a scary thing for a single female. In Xian I hoped onto a bus and found an empty seat beside a Caucasian male, who was on his own. Normally when I travel that is not something I would do. We then proceeded to see China together. He was from Paisley Scotland. When I lived in London we met again this time in Scotland. Unfortunately we lost touch and we both often wondered what happened to each other. We both continued to travel and move around the globe. I am in Canada, Paul in various countries. With the use of your service I was able to locate Paul and we have resumed our friendship from 13 years ago. Katherine

Brian is reunited with an old school friend after 30 years

I have been trying for nearly 30 years to find an old school friend who I lost touch with. I found him through 192.com, we are going to meet up next week, A big thank you for all your help! Brian Lewis

Harper's mother found her sister

My mother found her sister which she had been looking for years through 192.com. She is in her eighties and her sister is ninety. It was so lovely for them to get together and talk about the past. They had been separated as children. I have now met my cousins. Sadly my aunt lives in Birmingham and is disabled so Mother can only get to see her sometimes. Nevertheless 192.com has helped them to spend at least an hour a week chatting on the phone. This would not have been possible without 192.com. Harper Dearden

Kelly found her father

I have recently got in touch with a guy I was told was my dad when I was 17. It has taken me years to track this man down but as soon as I found him on the edited Electoral Roll, I contacted him. He has finally discovered he has a 23 year old daughter and two grand children. Kelly

Barbara found a school friend after 50 years

I have found an old school friend I have not been in contact with for over 46 years. Many thanks 192.com. Barbara Turner

Carol reunited with an old boyfriend

It was because of 192.com that I got back in touch with an old boyfriend and we're now married!

Mandy used 192.com to find missing Freeholders

Twice I have used 192.com to find people! First time was to find my Dad, I was adopted 49 years ago, found my Dad on 192.com, the address was 200 miles away. Second time was to find several missing Freeholders on a block of flats. When the flats had been sold during the years the Leasehold had been transferred but not the Freehold. When a conveyancing solicitor discovered this it was stopping everyone sell their flats. I used 192.com to track people down - it was absolutely brilliant for this purpose, I found them all over a period of a few months, even the one who had a very common name, and got the Freehold successfully transferred to the new owners.

Dianne found her uncle

I did an advanced search on your site this morning for an uncle I have been trying, extensively, to trace in the UK for over 6 years. I was instantly successful. I live in New Zealand so it has been a hard slog. Dianne Evans, New Zealand

Alix reunited her husband with his family

My husband had a fall out with his mum 16 years ago when he was 14. He went to live with his father and over the years they lost touch. When we got together he became a father and found he wanted to find his own family as well. Through 192.com we found that his family was still just where he had last seen them but he sent a card because he was a bit apprehensive. Soon after he got a call from his Grandma whom he'd been told had died and they had a reunion at Christmas. This was a wonderful time for them all. It was a great day and his family got to meet our children. Alix

Lisa recovered her laptop

I was expecting delivery of a laptop. The laptop company claimed it was delivered and signed for by "Davids". That is not my name, and I did not receive delivery of the laptop. I logged into 192.com and through a search was able to determine that the "Davids" lived at a very similar address to my own. They initially denied having my laptop - however when I pursued the issue and stated the couriers had a signature on file they relented and admitted to having my laptop. Lisa Ann Tani

Pam found her cousin

When I moved from London back to the North, I had lost touch with my cousins in Yorkshire. Someone told me about 192.com, so I tried this and found one cousins' address and phone number. We are now in touch with each other regularly, thanks to 192.com. Pam Hancox

Rohit found an old friend

I've been trying to find an old friend I knew 20 years ago. I managed to find his address and telephone number thanks to 192.com. Rohit Doshi

Mary traced her cousins

Because of your site I was able to find cousins that I had been searching over two years for. When I saw you had the Edited Electoral Roll I entered my male cousin's name and a few matches came up. The first one I called was not the correct one but my second telephone call hit the mark. I have now found both my first cousins (brother and sister) and your site has made us a very happy family. Thank you so much for your wonderful service. Mary O'Neil, Canada

Steve found his wife's siblings

I would like to let you know of the great success I have achieved finding my wife's brother and sister. My wife was abandoned in a church in Falmouth in 1941 aged just 3 weeks. All she had was a short birth certificate, ie name and DOB. The welfare state that bought her up told her she had no parents or siblings. Now at 69 I found my wife, just before Christmas last year, searching Google. When I asked her what she was doing, the reply was 'they say you can find anything on the internet and I want to know who I am'. Ten days later I have found a sister Lyn 75 and brother Leslie 72. Steve, Cornwall

Dawn met her birth family for the first time

I was adopted as a small baby in 1962 and my adoptive parents told me about my birth mother when I was a teenager. I knew very little about her, or my natural father, and when, at the age of 18, I tried to find some more about my family history I couldn't make much progress because the records were very sparse with detail. About two years ago we bought a laptop for me to use at home and I decided to use the power of the world wide web to broaden my search. After some weeks I found a note on a message board about someone who was also looking for information about my grandmother and when I got in touch she turned out to be one of my cousins. We met and exchanged information but she had little information about other relatives because she had lost touch with the family for many years. And so to the power of 192.com. I bought some credits and started to search through edited Electoral Rolls and telephone records, and I eventually discovered a relative living only 20 miles away from me, who is also a cousin. We also met up. I then used 192.com to find a number of other relatives and eventually I was in contact with over a dozen cousins, aunts and uncles and their children. We arranged to meet up in May this year and this was the first time that many of the relatives had met each other for over 30 years. We had a splendid meeting - a reunion for most and my first introduction to my family. They were all pleased to see me and they made me feel welcome. I am just grateful that 192.com was able to help me and my relatives to get together. Dawn Slezakowski, Staffordshire

Suzy found her cousin

I managed to find my adopted uncle from using 192.com. It gave me the leads to begin the search. I tracked him down using details from 192.com and Facebook to search his family thereafter. I have made contact through his daughter and we plan to meet in the near future. Suzy Seabridge

Linda found her second cousin

I was thrilled to find a second cousin who I had not seen for over 33/34 years through a search on 192.com. He was just as shocked as I was as I had left a message on the phone asking him if it was the right person. I explained who I was and some family members names and he rang back on the evening. I have been trying to find my cousin and his siblings for a few years now, and it is only your site that I have managed to this. Well done 192.com your great thanks! Linda Jones

Brian traced an old school friend after 30 years

I have been trying for nearly 30 years to find and old school friend who I lost touch with, I found him through your site, we are going to meet up next week, A big thank you for all your help. Brian Lewis

Kieron found a whole new family

I would like to say thank you as through 192.com I have found my dad and a whole new family! I lost touch with my dad when I was only 2, and over the next 45 years never heard from him or knew where he was. He tried to find me at one point about 20 years ago, but we had moved out of the area and he did not know where to look. I tried to find him on several occasions over the last 20 years also but failed. Now however there is a wealth of information on the internet making it so much easier to find people. Through your website I found, I typed in his name and last known whereabouts and an address came up. With this address came information about other people living in the home, which was a shock to find that not only was my father still alive but I had a half brother and sister. I cannot even put into words our first meeting, and after 24 hours of meeting he had to leave for home. I cried for about 12 hours non stop after he had gone, most of it was sadness as I realised I had lost a large part of my life, though I had found him and a new family. He has turned out to be a lovely man, who I get on very well with, the other shock is finding that I actually have two half bothers, and two half sisters. He has also gained another three grandchildren and a great granddaughter (his first!) so he has not only me to get to know but my family also. Kieron Adams, Suffolk