Australian Woman Discovers Lost Jewish Relatives Through DNA Testing

Adriana Turk, a 74-year-old woman from Merimbula, Australia, recently uncovered a significant part of her family history that she believed had been lost during the Holocaust. Growing up, Turk was told that her Jewish family members had perished, including her grandmother, who died in the Warsaw Ghetto, and her aunt and cousins, who were killed at Auschwitz in 1944. After the death of her only sibling in December 2024, Turk felt compelled to explore her ancestry and turned to MyHeritage for DNA testing.

Woman discovers Holocaust descendants through DNA testingWoman finds Jewish relatives she thought were lost in Holocaust with DNA testing‘I thought my whole family were killed in the Holocaust - until a DNA test found the relatives I never knew’Woman Thought Family Was Killed In Holocaust, Then DNA Test Revealed Truth

The results were transformative; Turk discovered over 50 living relatives across Europe, the Middle East, and South America. Among them was her second cousin, Raanan Gidron, a 73-year-old psychotherapist living in Israel. The two connected via video call, sharing a profound moment as they realized their familial ties through their shared great-grandparents. Gidron expressed his excitement, stating, “It was a very exciting moment, nearly unbelievable.”

Woman finds Jewish relatives she thought were lost in Holocaust with DNA testing

Turk's experience reflects a growing trend among Jewish individuals reconnecting with long-lost relatives through DNA technology. According to Naama Lanski, a researcher at MyHeritage, many users experience life-changing discoveries that fill significant gaps in their identities. Turk described her newfound connections as “new memories being made,” emphasizing the emotional healing she has experienced through this reunion.

‘I thought my whole family were killed in the Holocaust - until a DNA test found the relatives I never knew’

Gidron, whose mother survived the Holocaust, noted the importance of their connection, especially in light of recent antisemitic violence in Australia, which has heightened concerns within the Jewish community. He urged others to remember the Holocaust, stating, “Please do not forget and please do not deny what happened.”

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While the reunion has been a source of joy for Turk and Gidron, it also comes amid a backdrop of rising antisemitism globally. The recent antisemitic attack in Sydney, which resulted in the deaths of 15 Jewish individuals, has left many in the community shaken. This juxtaposition of personal joy against a backdrop of societal challenges highlights the complex emotional landscape faced by Holocaust survivors and their descendants.

‘I thought my whole family were killed in the Holocaust - until a DNA test found the relatives I never knew’

Turk plans to visit Europe and Germany this summer to meet her newly discovered relatives, a journey she describes as a long-awaited opportunity to connect with her heritage. She expressed a sense of belonging and fulfillment, stating, “I feel like a new person.” Gidron echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of their reunion as a symbol of hope and resilience for fractured families within the Jewish community.

Woman finds Jewish relatives she thought were lost in Holocaust with DNA testing

• “For me, it's like having a black-and-white photograph turn into color,” — Adriana Turk

Woman finds Jewish relatives she thought were lost in Holocaust with DNA testing

• “I was so full of wonder,” — Raanan Gidron

Woman finds Jewish relatives she thought were lost in Holocaust with DNA testing

• “These people have healed parts of me that no one else could have healed,” — Adriana Turk

Woman finds Jewish relatives she thought were lost in Holocaust with DNA testing

• “The very fact that we met two days ago for the first time is a living proof that life continues.” — Raanan Gidron

‘I thought my whole family were killed in the Holocaust - until a DNA test found the relatives I never knew’

Turk's journey underscores the profound impact of DNA testing on personal identity and family reunification, offering a poignant reminder of the enduring legacies of the Holocaust.

‘I thought my whole family were killed in the Holocaust - until a DNA test found the relatives I never knew’