Widnes Memories: Researcher finds lost family online

By Runcorn And Widnes Weekly News on Mar 26, 09 12:40 PM in 2000 onwards

A WIDNES sailor who has contacted his long lost family after 45 years said finding them has been 'amazing'.

Stephen Fazackerley, 54, of Cambridge Street, lost touch with his mother when his parents split up.

He was raised by his father, who took him from his home to Germany.
Stephen said he was forbidden from having contact with the rest of his family over the years.

Several attempts to run away and return to England failed.

After leaving his father's home he became a sailor and married.

But last year he decided to try to make contact with his family through the website Genes Reunited.

Initially his cousin got in touch with him which led to a flood of further contact with other relations.

They are now planning to hold a reunion bash.

Some surprises were in store for Stephen.

During his search he discovered that his parents and grandparents had died.

But he also found out that the Queen had awarded his mum and aunt bravery medals for rescuing a pilot from burning wreckage.

And his uncle saved a family during a bombing raid.

Stephen said the experience has given him 'closure' over many issues. And during his quest he was able to locate his grandmother's grave.

He urged people in similar situations to take the plunge.

He said: "I would advise anyone who was thinking about tracking down their family but is unsure to put their worries aside and just do it.

"I consider myself very fortunate to have found them after all this time. It has been an amazing experience.

"I have gained lots of closure in many ways. "Unfortunately, I found out that both parents died and that will never be resolved, but lots of other issues have been.

"I thought I was completely alone from the family because I'm an only child.

"I've carried this burden for so many years but then suddenly I found out I was part of something. It's a remarkable feeling."

GenesReunited is a spin-off of the social networking site Friends Reunited.

Comments (0)