Genes reunited

Researching family history always bring with it the danger of unearthing a swinging skeleton in the cupboard. But sometimes the shock can be even greater, with enormous personal consequences.

I met a man in his early 60s this week whose wife had used the internet to reach back into both her family history, and also her husband's. As part of this she applied for a full copy of her husband's birth certificate, as he only had the abbreviated version. When it arrived he discovered that he had been adopted when 6 weeks old. His adoptive parents - both now dead - had never mentioned this.

Fortunately, the outcome has been almost entirely positive for him. He appears an emotionally secure man who has done well in life, and was able to take the shock with a great deal of equanimity. And he has made contact with brothers and sisters and an aunt that he had not previously realised he had.

It could have turned out very differently if he had been much younger and inexperienced, or a less stable or successful person.