A Son Finds his Father

If your finding this post and are interested then you are in for a treat. As you may know I have taken up the banner to find my cousin Richards father. I have worked very closely with his wife Rachel for some time and might I say we have worked. We literally have combed through thousands of documents, obituaries, city directories, Facebook, social security death index, libraries, newspapers and every document that could be searched for World War II soldiers serving in Dorset, England that we could open and look at.

Ethel (Harry) Austin Moore and his son Richard John Hanger have been reunited. There have been many tears shed by all involved but might I also say there has been much rejoicing had by all involved in this search. I am only sorry there wasn't Ancestry DNA autosomal testing before 2003 or the father and son pictured above could have been reunited much sooner. In fact it was because of Ancestry DNA and it's unique combination of DNA testing combined with such a large database of family trees that allowed this mystery to be solved. I am a complete DNA novice until I got my test results I had never even read about how you locate relatives or build trees from cousin matches with hints I can only say a wonderful third cousin match and many hours of digging into 4rth all the way up to 8th cousin matches yielded the tree that pinpointed Harry. The most rewarding work was completed with the help of Edna, Larry, and Deborah close relatives of Richards who supplied the beautiful portrait directly to Richard.

Larry supplied the details of what happened that could have interfered with him returning to Bournemouth England and being reunited with Marjorie Hanger. Harry was severely wounded while storming a fox hole and taking Germans prisoner during the War his injuries were so severe he was placed in a full body cast and sent home. He received a silver star and a purple heart for his bravery along with a letter from General Patton. Harry would walk with a limp for the rest of his life due to the injury.

Edna provided details of Harry to Richard about his father that we could not have dreamed of ever having. Harry was a loving, caring man who was well liked by all who knew him. He retired from the Coca-Cola plant in Greer where she once walked over to say hello with her parents and remembers the day clearly.

Richard will make the journey from Australia to Woodlawn Cemetery to visit his fathers resting place in the near future.

For all who helped and shared stories, and emails and sometimes midnight calls helping me sort this out, Thank You!

A Prayer was Answered.