Grandma Finds Brother on LinkedIn After Decades

Gill Thompson, a 73-year-old from North Wales, experienced an emotional family reunion facilitated by LinkedIn. She had been searching for her half-brother, Michael Bardsley, for decades. Thompson grew up with her mother and grandmother, unaware of her father's side of the family until she was 25. Her father, Colin Bardsley, had moved to South Africa and had a son, Michael. Despite numerous attempts over the years to find her father's relatives, her search proved unsuccessful until recently.

Thompson's daughter, Sammy, became curious after spotting someone with the surname Bardsley at a local event. Sammy then searched online and discovered a LinkedIn profile for a sports film producer in Cape Town named Michael Bardsley. Recognizing a family resemblance in photos, Sammy sent a message that initiated contact. This led to Michael and Gill reconnecting, sharing memories, and exchanging photos across continents. Michael, who was also aware of a half-sister, expressed his joy at finally finding her. The siblings met in June at Colwyn Bay station, finally embracing after a lifetime apart. They discovered shared interests in sports, with Gill being a retired PE teacher and Michael working in sports films. Their reunion has continued with regular video calls and messages, strengthening their bond across countries.