Reunited after 85 Years
Al Kreb's life-long wish has been to find his birthmother. He was given up for adoption shortly after his birth in 1912 in LaCrosse.
Al's search started in 1940 when he obtained his baptismal and adoption papers from his parents. From this information, he learned his birthmother's name, address, and the name of his grandparents. He knew that his birthmother had married in 1919 and she and his grandparents moved out of state. He was unsuccessful at gathering any more information over the following years.
Around the time Al turned 85, he again mentioned to his family his desire to find his birthmother - Unknowingly, Al was about to have a breakthrough.
With the help of the Internet, Al's daughter contacted Diane of ICARE - providing the dates, names and information that Al had learned to date. At that point, Diane and Mary immediately put their heads together and started researching the information to come up with solid and concrete leads. Within hours, they were able to track down additional siblings of Al's mother, as well as their children.
It wouldn't be long before Al was to learn that he had seven sisters, all born after himself - five were still living in the immediate area, one in Ohio, and one had passed away. At this point, Al's daughter Dorothy, wrote a letter to her new-found aunts. "He has always wanted to find his mother, and being able to learn about her life, but meeting with you, your sisters and families would make it a great life."
Shortly thereafter, Dorothy received responses to her letter, and visits to the sisters were arranged. Al soon was to meet his sisters Eleanore, Jeanne, Peggy, Dorothy and many of their family members. Al did not meet his sister Betty this same day, as she was living in Ohio at the time.
The new-found family members keep in touch with letters and telephone conversations, and Al has been able to learn all about his birthmother and what she was like.
submitted to ICARE for publication