The heartwarming and heartbreaking memoir of an Irish orphan who was adopted by an American family in 1961. What should have been a happy new family adoption story became a house of horrors at the hands of his adopted uncle, a very prominent Los Angeles Catholic priest, the Right Reverend Monsignor Benjamin Hawkes. Michael and his wife, Susan, spent over 25 years searching for his Irish family and heritage. In 2013, a major breakthrough in his search occurred, opening up his Irish world far beyond his dreams. His memoir provides remarkable insights into the impact and importance of family and family ties. Michael has appeared in a 2014 BBC documentary titled "Ireland's Lost Babies". He and Susan are currently participating in a second documentary to premiere in 2024. Michael's journey is a fascinating story of family, faith, and perseverance.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Michael Hawkes
While Michael Hawkes has spent his life as a graphic artist and copywriter, the story of his life has always been his biggest project. He thanks his wife Susan for walking with him every step of the journey from California to Ireland and back again. It was a joy as they pieced together the origins and history of the story. Finding people's names and bringing the names to life was incredible. It has been the career he was meant to pursue. May you all find your clan as he did.
Susan Hawkes
Susan has worked as a Registered Nurse, nurse leader, and professor. Her delight in life has been her family, including their family history journey. The search with Michael required that she morph from a mild-mannered RN to a tenacious sleuth of genealogy and adoption records. How blessed they have been to find the brave and equally tenacious souls who assisted, accepted, and loved them through this quest.