Connecting to Family
I get conflicted at times feeling anchored to my family time. My Great-Grandfather is Ora Gray who was born in Brownsburg, Hendricks, Indiana. However, he and my Great-Grandmother divorced and ultimately she married(?) John Walker. It is very unlikely that my Grandfather was adopted by John. However, other than his birth record all other records are under the last name of Walker. Some days I feel very close to the Gray line and some days I feel very close to the Walker line. I really am not looking for adoption records as much bringing some peace to my mind. Its a bit heart wrenching at times, any one have similar experiences? To make the situation even more complex I was raised in a foster home until I was fourteen at which time I began living with my real family.
@Adoption and Unknown Family Research
Answers
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I think keeping both family trees in your focus is not a bad thing. I am sure your great grandmother was trying to hide her divorce by passing her son with the name Walker. And it also suggests there was genuine love between step father and step son. Your grandfather might have been proud to take the name.
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I have certainly seen this situation in my research though not on my direct line. It is natural and right that you should feel connected to both lines. There are so many waiting to to be remembered and you have the privilege to serve both sides of this family.
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I agree with "PBS" - I feel closely tied to my father's biological and adopted lines.
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