By Jodie Symonds
USING the power of Facebook, Upwey’s Sarah Wilson believes she has found the half-brother she has never met.
When Miss Wilson was eight, she found out she had a half-brother from her father’s past relationship.
“My mum told me and I confronted dad when I was very young – he told me about him and had a photo of him,” she said.
“After that … (When) I asked my dad for more information he said he ‘didn’t know anything’.
“None of my family knows (her brother) exists.”
Ms Elise is getting married in November next year and would like her brother to celebrate the special day with her.
Her upcoming wedding became the motivation for her to use social media to attempt to find and get in contact with him, because she no longer speaks to her father.
Social media worked in her favour – Ms Wilson posted on various Facebook noticeboards, which are used to buy, swap and sell items, and it resulted in a whirlwind of responses.
She was given various details by people who knew him including his age, mother’s name and location which she thinks has led her to find the right person.
“People who saw my post contacted me and said they went to school with his mum and knew where she lives and bit by bit I got a piece of the puzzle,” Miss Wilson said.
“Then someone messaged me saying they know who my brother was as they knew his name and his mum’s name and said that he grew up without his dad.
“I went through photos of him and saw a photo that looked just like my dad and messaged him.”
Ms Wilson said it’s tough not being able to speak to her brother.
“I have 22 years-worth of conversation I want to know about,” she said.
“Mainly though, I want to know about him and what his life was like (and) if he wanted to know I’d want to tell him about the type of person his dad is, and tell him about his relatives and their nationality and their background stories.
“I just want to know what my brother is like and who he is and has become.”
The man, known as Alex, hasn’t confirmed he is her brother – but she has high hopes.
“I really want to know if I’m an aunty,” Ms Wilson said.
“I would say to Alex if I found him that I have been searching for him and thinking of him for many years now.
“I want the peace of connecting with him and if he wanted to know about his dad, I can help fill that hole in his life too.”
Ms Wilson said social media worked for her in finding her brother.
“I’ve had people contact me asking for my help to find their lost siblings using advice and support, which has been great to help others – so it worked,” she said.
