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Family Finders

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Factual: Life Stories

Factual: Families & Relationships

Following the work of agencies dedicated to tracking down people's lost family members.

Following the work of Britain's army of family finders, from international organisations to independent genealogy detective agencies, dedicated to tracking down people's lost family members.

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Family Finders: Series 1: Episode 12

Factual: History

Episode 12

Series 1

BBC One - Family Finders, Series 1, Episode 12

A half-brother and half-sister living on different continents meet for the first time.

Documentary series. When Paul Smith set out to track down the father he hadn't seen since childhood, he knew the odds were against him - because his father's name is John Smith.

The amazing story of John Haydon and his American half-sister Diane Messer, who found each other recently after a lifetime apart. John's mother Eileen walked out on him and his father when John was still a young boy - and went on to live an extraordinary and colourful life of adventure. Via Paris, Africa and New York, Eileen ended up in New Orleans, where she married and had a daughter, Diane. 58 years later, Diane and John have finally found each other - and this emotional transatlantic reunion has an extraordinary twist, when a necklace Diane had been given by her late mother turns out to have a huge and unexpected significance...

When Paul Smith set out to track down the father he hadn't seen since early childhood, he knew the odds were against him - because his father's name is John Smith. It was never going to be an easy case for the family finders of the Salvation Army - but after some sterling detective work, they get their man. Drawing on their shared love of classic cars, John and Paul plan a road trip through their past - but can John explain just why he felt obliged to walk away from his marriage, leaving a young family behind?

Family Finders: Series 1

BBC One

Documentary series following the work of Britain's ever-growing army of family finders.

Documentary series following the work of Britain's ever-growing army of family finders as they track down people's lost family members.

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