How a DNA test revealed an unexpected past

When Steve Hartman took a DNA test, he discovered a family he never knew he had. His new relatives showed him the secrets of their family's past.

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The "CBS Evening News" premiered as a half-hour broadcast on Sept. 2, 1963. Check local listings for CBS Evening News broadcast times.

[kymlawrence]

Steve and I almost share the same story! For 52 years I had no Birth Certificate! I was using a fraudulent Baptismal Certificate to show proof of birth. The church changed my name when I was baptised. I had to wait for 18 years to connect with my bio relatives. Ancestry made the connection with my sister and half brother. Four 1st cousins on my father's side shared my DNA. Thank you so much for this story, CONGRATULATIONS STEVE!!

[gilaschannel]

Actually Steve Hartman, it matters a lot that you're actually Jewish. You're fully a Jew, there are no half Jews according to Jewish law. By all means enjoy your newfound families to the full - that's wonderful - but perhaps it wouldn't hurt to check out a little about Judaism now you know who you are.

[jantruitt]

Thank You Steve
Love all of your stories!
I love that this one is about your lost family!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[mjrmanson]

My DNA test connected me to family I never knew I had and revealed a big secret my dad kept all his life. My dad always said he was an orphan of Spanish, Irish and Native American descent who was raised in an orphanage in California. In fact he grew up in the Philippines and ran away as a teen. He got on a boat in Manilla headed for the US and his family never heard from him again. I have had the pleasure of connecting with cousins who knew my father's parents and his siblings. I have very few relatives on my mother's side so this has been a tremendous blessing to connect with many, many cousins on my father's side and be welcomed as family.

[Druidh]

I expect to see a Thanksgiving story next December. 😀👍🏻

[pamelaspooner]

So interesting but begs the question as to why the identity of Mrs Hartman’s mother is unknown If the Levy descendants would test then the identity could be worked out. Maybe they just think it would be disrespectful to their granny? Knowledge isn’t a judgment but honored history. Maybe next January Steve will update us. Thank you so much for sharing your personal story and thank your relatives please.

[blakebella]

All the years watching the evening news, THIS SEGMENT was "THE ONE" that I ALWAYS, EAGERLY awaited.
It showed the LIVES and WARMTH of the American people ACROSS the Nation. ESPECIALLY the small towns AND places we WOULD NEVER know, if not for SUCH reporting.
Your PERSONAL story, is yet ANOTHER such PERFECT example.
As I no longer watch the news, THIS is THE part I miss.
Thank You for yet ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL, HEARTWARMING story.
May ALL Your stories have a HAPPY ending . 🌞 💖

[boysrus]

My dad is a retired Navy submariner. I took 2 DNA tests to cover my bases because I told him I expect a half sibling from some beautiful port to find me some day! Love this story.

[samuelpenn]

My grandmother was actually a white lady and if you met our dad, you would never know that was the case. Our dad was born in 1892 & I've never heard anything about his mom, in a community of native Americans and your one of very few half breeds it never gets talked about. A niece in the family took the DNA test w 23 and Me and found that she was part Scandinavian & we knew from our moms side that we were part Irish the Scandinavian had to have been where Granny Sue was from but we know nothing about her except for when she showed up on the reservation and eventually was adopted by the Tribe. She spoke our language and did basketry and bead work like she was born native. I'm just sad that we know nothing beyond her getting to Washington State. Maybe doing a DNA test w the others will find a match in where we came from.

[bonniesiefert]

I'm so glad you found your family!

[raymartinez]

Aww... I'm so happy that you found your family Steve. I've been watching your first episode and everytime I watch you I'll always have a smile on my face or a tear coming down my face. But a good one. You are such a wonderful and beautiful person. Happy New year's Steve. Hello from Southwest Florida 👋😎 🌞🐶

[charlettemackmccoy]

We had a Great time watching this, Aloha from Honolulu Hawaii.

[muffsmercury]

Amazing that those films were well preserved in their existence. Old films were usually made of nitrate (before 1950) and deteriorated thru time.
Great story here.

[sharontabor]

DNA located 2 first cousins my father never knew he had and 1 my mother didn't know about.

[anitameza]

One of my son's sent me a DNA test. I found out I was raised by a man who isn't related and I only have half siblings.

[emilyeldridge]

Absolutely brilliant and Thank You for sharing this with us, Steve as it’s very appropriated and maybe one day I’ll take my DNA and see who in my family and I might discover new people I never new about.

[neokennime]

She still keeps those clips? That's amazing?

[diana]

In my opinion Steve Hartman is the ONLY good reporter on CBS. Mr Hartman’s stories are always warm and truthful 🇺🇸

[janetaldrich]

Family from Cleveland! Hey, that's wonderful. Welcome to the 216!

[PigDan]

Fascinating video. I like these news stories. Makes journalism more interesting.