12/05/2026
This month has been amazing, I have finally found the birth and parents of my brickwall, John O'NEIL. I used Ancestry DNA ProTools Enhanced Shared Matches, Clusters, many Public family trees and dozens of Ancestry and Australian online resources.
He was born John Francis JOHNS, on 24 June 1873, in Cornwall, England to Joseph William JOHNS and Angelina (nee HODGE) . His mother died in 1880 when he was 6. His father remarried Mary Donnelley in 1881 in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire, England and the family migrated to Australia on the North arriving 24 December 1883...
I am feeling a great sense happiness and achievement, in working on something for so long, and finally getting the answers.
I want to thank everyone for the part they played in my breakthrough;
Denise and all our Family History Group who have taught me so much over the past 5 years
Lois, Rose and Gwyneth who talked me into taking a DNA test
All the members of our local DNA Group who enjoy meeting and sharing stories about their DNA journeys. You inspired me to learn and persist.
And many thanks to Christa Cowan, Ancestry Educator for all her webinars from whom I have learned so much and will continue to follow. You are the best thing coming out of America at the moment. Thank you for your all your encouragement and enthusiasm it is infectious!
Big thanks to my uncle Peter and all Ancestry DNA test takers who matched us. And finally all those who have public family trees on Ancestry, you are our guiding lights.
