Man's decision to obtain his pre-adoption birth certificate uncovers 75-year-old family secret

A man from North Carolina who spent his entire life believing he was an only child will be celebrating Christmas with his huge family, including a half-sister and five half-brothers that he’d never met. 

Dixon Handshaw was adopted as an infant in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Elmira. 

He grew up without the connection of any siblings, but always wondered what it might be like to have a family to call his own. 

At the age of 75, a simple decision unravelled a truth that had eluded him for decades and transformed his life just in time for the holidays.

‘All my life, I dreamed about having siblings somewhere,’ Handshaw admitted to 13WHAM. ‘This is my Christmas miracle. That’s what I call it.’

It all began in mid-August when Handshaw decided to obtain his pre-adoption birth certificate which shows the details of an adopted person’s birth, including their name, date of birth, the city or county of birth as well as the adoptive parents’ names.

He expected to uncover fragments of his past, perhaps a name or a date, but instead, discovered an entire family waiting for him – including biological siblings who had no idea he existed but who were ready to embrace him with open arms.

The moment of a lifetime came as Handshaw stepped off the plane at Rochester airport to meet his unknown family for the very first time.

Dixon Handshaw, 75, center, got to meet his two of his five half-brothers, Jeff Romig, left, and Gary Romig, right - together with half-sister Wendy Gell, for the very first time in his life

Dixon Handshaw, 75, center, got to meet his two of his five half-brothers, Jeff Romig, left, and Gary Romig, right – together with half-sister Wendy Gell, for the very first time in his life 

Dixon will be meeting 52 of his new found relatives over the Christmas period. Pictured, the Romig family photo from decades gone by

Dixon will be meeting 52 of his new found relatives over the Christmas period. Pictured, the Romig family photo from decades gone by

It was an emotional meeting as Dixon, centered, embraced his three of his five half-siblings for the first time

It was an emotional meeting as Dixon, centered, embraced his three of his five half-siblings for the first time

Waiting for him were two of his biological half-brothers, Gary and Jeff Romig, and his half-sister, Wendy Gell. 

The first meeting in the baggage claim at Rochester airport on Thursday was nothing short of extraordinary. ‘It felt like Christmas morning,’ Gell said. 

‘It’s so special because he’s very emotional and excited and can’t believe that we are opening our arms to him and welcoming him to the family.’

Handshaw had been apprehensive at first, fearing rejection or simply awkwardness. 

‘My biggest hesitancy was I didn’t want to intrude on people,’ he confessed. ‘I didn’t know whether they would be happy that I was around or not.’ 

But such fears proved unfounded in a phone call that changed his life in an instant.

Romig recalls the moment vividly. ‘I was eating lunch on the job when my phone rang. It was a number I didn’t recognize, and usually, I wouldn’t answer. But for some reason, I picked up,’ he said. 

‘He says, “Hi, my name’s Dixon. Are you Gary Romig?” I said, “I am.” Then he goes, “I’m your brother.” And I’m like, “What?”‘

Dixon ran to embrace his sister, Wendy Gell, left, in the baggage claim of Rochester Airport

Dixon ran to embrace his sister, Wendy Gell, left, in the baggage claim of Rochester Airport 

Dixon embraced his new found sister, Wendy Gell, for the very first time on Thursday

Dixon embraced his new found sister, Wendy Gell, for the very first time on Thursday

For the last 75 years, Dixon Handshaw thought he was an only child. This Christmas he discovered his half-sister and five half-brothers

For the last 75 years, Dixon Handshaw thought he was an only child. This Christmas he discovered his half-sister and five half-brothers

Stunned, the two men talked for hours with Handshaw sending Romig a picture of himself.

When Romig shared it with the family including his own five siblings, the resemblance was uncanny. 

‘We all saw it,’ Romig said. ‘He has our father’s features. There was no mistaking it.’

By Christmas, Handshaw wasn’t just meeting a few siblings – he was stepping into a new world. 

This weekend Dixon met 52 members of his family in what he has described as his 'Christmas miracle'

This weekend Dixon met 52 members of his family in what he has described as his ‘Christmas miracle’

A special celebration was held as family members welcomed him to the rest of the family

A special celebration was held as family members welcomed him to the rest of the family

Handshaw, left, sent a picture of himself to his brother. The family agreed it looked just like their father, right

When Romig shared it with the family including his own five siblings, the resemblance was uncanny.

Handshaw, left, sent a picture of himself to his brother. The family agreed it looked just like their father, right

‘I’m not gonna waste any time having this new family. I couldn’t be happier,’ Handshaw said, his eyes welling up. ‘After all these years of wondering, I finally feel complete.’

Plenty of tears were shed as the three siblings met their long lost brother for the very first time

Plenty of tears were shed as the three siblings met their long lost brother for the very first time

Dixon said he had 'never felt such an outpouring of unconditional love' in his whole life

Dixon said he had ‘never felt such an outpouring of unconditional love’ in his whole life

This past weekend, he met an incredible 52 new relatives, each one eager to connect with the man who had been missing from their lives without either of them realizing.

‘I’m not gonna waste any time having this new family. I couldn’t be happier,’ Handshaw said, his eyes welling up. 

‘After all these years of wondering, I finally feel complete.’

You May Also Like
ALISON BOSHOFF: 'Grief-stricken' Prince Harry feels 'like he's had one of his fingers cut off' amid charity chaos, as his friends reveal 'he's in total shock'

Prince Harry, feeling devastated, compares his loss to having a finger severed in the midst of charity turmoil, as friends share his state of utter disbelief

Prince Harry has not issued any public statements regarding the recent controversy…
Cory Booker's 'bizarre' anti-Trump stunt hits 24 HOURS straight and could break records

Cory Booker’s 24-Hour Anti-Trump Project May Set Records

Cory Booker, a Democratic Senator, conducted an overnight session on the Senate…
Netanyahu accuses Israeli police of trying to 'topple' his government

Netanyahu claims that Israeli police are attempting to overthrow his government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Israeli police of attempting to undermine…
President Donald Trump news today: Financial experts raising concerns about consumer protections, costs in current administration

Concerns Raised by Financial Experts about Consumer Protections and Costs in the Current Trump Administration

CHICAGO (WLS) — Financial experts are raising concerns about consumer protections and…
Rat birth control coming to Chicago's Wicker Park, Bucktown neighborhoods after being named rattiest city in America by Orkin

New rat birth control program to launch in Chicago’s Wicker Park and Bucktown neighborhoods following Orkin’s rattiest city designation

CHICAGO (WLS) — For the tenth consecutive year, Orkin dubbed Chicago the…
Three huge stars turn down hosting gig on TJ and Amy's old GMA3 show amid fears it's CURSED

“Top Celebrities Decline Hosting Opportunity on Former GMA3 Show Due to Superstitions”

Good Morning America’s megastar hosts all turned down the chance to host…
Little House on the Prairie actress Patty Maloney dead at 89

Patty Maloney, known for her role in Little House on the Prairie, passes away at 89

Little House on the Prairie actress Patty Maloney has died at the age…
Florida woman points pellet gun at kids fishing near backyard, threatened to 'blow their heads off': officials

Florida Woman Allegedly Pointed Pellet Gun at Children Fishing Nearby in Backyard and Threatened to Shoot Them: Authorities

A woman in Florida was arrested after she allegedly pointed a pellet…
Wisconsin election results today: Susan Crawford wins Wisconsin Supreme Court seat over Brad Schimel, cementing liberal majority

Susan Crawford defeats Brad Schimel in Wisconsin Supreme Court election, securing liberal majority

MADISON, Wis. — The candidate supported by the Democrats won the election…
High school seniors reject Columbia University as Trump admin reviews money for Ivy League schools

High school seniors decline Columbia University due to Trump administration’s funding review of Ivy League colleges

Students who have been accepted to Columbia University are declining to attend…
Harrison Ford indulges in very rare PDA with Calista Flockhart as millionaire pair brave subway

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart show rare PDA while riding the subway

Harrison Ford indulged in a rare public display of affection with his…
Moaning federal workers make disgusting discoveries as they return to office after Trump ended WFH

Federal employees returning to the office after WFH ended under Trump’s administration are disgusted by what they find.

Thousands of federal employees who were forced to return to their offices…