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Episode 10

Documentary series. Jeannie Taplin grew up believing her father had died in World War II. But in fact he was the man she had always known as Uncle Steve.

Jeannie Taplin grew up believing her father had died in World War II. But in fact he was the man she had always known as Uncle Steve - a Finn who had immigrated to the UK in 1917. Her mum told her the truth when Jeannie was a teenager and her dad was briefly in her life for short period, but soon disappeared again. Jeannie's daughter Sarah wanted to help her mum fill in the blanks in her family history - and after 25 years of research, discovered that she had been searching for Jeannie's father under the wrong name. Official records revealed that he had another daughter, Muriel - Jeannie's half-sister - who would be 90. Sarah then traced two of her sons, Franz and Ricky, who revealed she is still alive and living in Australia. Jeannie and Sarah meet with Franz and Ricky, and Skype Jeannie's newly found sister Muriel.

66-year-old Graham Holloway was placed in a children's home at the age of two, along with his sister Lynda. They were eventually fostered together, but were soon split up and placed with new families. Graham grew up happily with his foster family but had never forgotten his big sister. For years, he tried to trace her with no joy - and eventually hired a family tracing company. They realised that Lynda's surname had changed numerous times, as she had been married several times. They soon found her in Cyprus. Graham wrote her a letter and then met her for the first time in 60 years. Today they meet again in Southend, for a trip down memory lane.

29 minutes

Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Angellica Bell
Executive Producer Sam Wilson
Executive Producer Rob Butterfield
Series Producer James Christie-Miller
Production Company Ricochet

Broadcast