Products are selected by our editors, we may earn commission from links on this page.
Adriana Turk, 74, from Merimbula, Australia, grew up believing her father’s family perished in the Holocaust. Her father never spoke of his past after fleeing Nazi Germany in 1937, leaving Adriana to piece together his history from her mother. Despite his public life as a city councilor and speaker, his early life remained a mystery to her.
Learning of Escape
As a teenager, Adriana learned how her father had learned English in just 10 days to secure passage to Australia. The remarkable feat impressed immigration officials, allowing him to start a new life. This story became a rare glimpse into his determination and resilience.
Family Left Behind
Her father’s attempts to bring his mother, sister, and brother-in-law to safety failed. Adriana’s grandmother died in the Warsaw Ghetto, while her uncle, aunt, and their children were murdered at Auschwitz in 1944. The tragedy left a lasting void in Adriana’s understanding of her family history.
The Weight of Trauma
Adriana believes the trauma of leaving his family behind made her father reluctant to speak about his past. Books and documents about the Holocaust were kept hidden in the home, creating an atmosphere of silence. She recalls discovering these materials secretly, sparking curiosity about the family she never knew.
Personal Loss
Years later, Adriana lost contact with her brother, who eventually died homeless in Auckland. His death brought emotional pain and intensified her sense of isolation. It also motivated her to search for connections she had never realized were possible.
A DNA Revelation
Hoping to uncover more of her family history, Adriana took an at-home MyHeritage DNA test. What she found was astonishing: living descendants of three Holocaust survivors from her grandmother’s family line. The discovery revealed a large, thriving extended family she had never known existed.
Remarkable Survival Stories
One relative, Renate Püttmann, had survived the Holocaust after being hidden by a German soldier who risked his life. Püttmann later had eight children, creating a branch of Adriana’s family that endured despite unimaginable danger. Two other relatives had escaped Germany before the war, now with families in Brazil and Israel.
Rebuilding Connections
The discovery transformed Adriana’s sense of identity, connecting her to at least 50 living relatives across multiple countries. Though interactions have been virtual so far, she feels love and belonging she had never experienced before. The newfound family has reshaped her understanding of family, heritage, and survival.
Planning for the Future
Adriana is already preparing to visit her German cousin, Arne, to explore the family’s past and future together. She cherishes the connections she has made and the stories she is learning. The DNA test not only filled gaps in her history but also gave her hope and joy.
Reclaiming Family and Identity
The DNA test allowed Adriana to reclaim a part of her family she believed was lost forever. She now feels whole, finding joy in cousins, nieces, and nephews she had never met. This remarkable journey illustrates how modern technology can bridge decades of silence, trauma, and separation, creating new beginnings and renewed connections.