NEVER EVER GIVE UP,PLEASE READ MY STORY!

[Jewels]

To everybody out there trying to find their family, all I can say is never give up, if they're out there they can be found.
Two months ago I thought all I had on my dad's side was a couple of uncles and my grandparents, boy I was wrong!
I posted a note on this very site and it was answered by one very special person who put me in touch with another equally special person.
I had been looking for my grandparents family in Ukraine for years and never seemed to get anywhere, until now.
In two weeks I am going to Ukraine to meet more family on both grandparents side than I ever dreamed could be there, and I have also made my 81 year old grandmother extremely happy, as she has not seen or heard from her family since she was 19 years old, she thought they were all dead and now I will bring her photos and news of them.
This last couple of months have been a whirlwind and emotionally I'm a wreck, I have laughed and cried out loud in front of my computer and now I'm nervous about meeting them, it's a long way from Australia to Ukraine but now the journey really begins.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND THOSE AROUND YOU AND ACCEPT THAT WHEN THE TIMING IS PERFECT YOU TOO WILL FIND YOUR FAMILIES!

LOVE TO YOU ALL

JULIE EASTON

[Irinka]

By that special person I think you mean Hannia, right? She has been really amazing on this board, helping everyone who asked for help, she is a person with a heart of gold.

Congratulations on finally finding your family, I'm really happy and excited for you, I wish you all the happiness and luck in this world.

Irina

[Jewels]

Dear Irinka,
Yes of course Hania has helped me do in 8 weeks what I have been trying to do for years.
I owe my grandmother's happiness to her and Igor another very special person.
I'm very excited about my trip and now I know that I have a huge family in Ukraine I can't wait until I meet them.
A lot of questoins have been answered and there will be a lot answered in c ouple of weeks, I'll keep you posted.

[Irinka]

Wow.. Please keep in touch, this is wonderful!
Maby you can create a personal website where you will describe your search and the trip to Ukraine with lots of photos!

Irina

[Hannia]

Julie's Grandfather's family is from Lvivska Oblast, an area where one can be pretty optimistic about finding surviving family. Many villagers have moved to the larger towns/cities, so it just takes more time to find them.

However, Julie's Grandmother's family is from VOHLYN, an area long regarded as extremely difficult for finding surviving family. The region was brutalized by every side during WW2. With effort, perseverance & some level of optimism, surviving families in the still existing villages of Vohlynska & Rivenska Oblasts (formerly all Vohlyn) can be located!!!

[johncullen]

this makes great reading, congratulations hannia, jewels owes you at least a book, written by herself.

[johncullen]

every good wish for a great reunion jewels, along with your tootbrush, don't forget your tape recorder, tape everything that is said, you won't regret this.