75-Year-Old Discovers 50 New Family Members, Heartwarming Reunion Ensues

Quick Smiles:

• A North Carolina man connects with over 50 newfound family members at age 75.
• He discovered his biological roots after obtaining his original birth certificate.
• A joyful reunion has sparked plans for future family gatherings.

Imagine living 75 years without knowing the faces of your biological family, then suddenly being surrounded by over 50 relatives.

This is the remarkable story of Dixon Handshaw, a North Carolina resident who was adopted as an infant and recently experienced an extraordinary reunion.

Handshaw, adopted at three months old from Buffalo, New York, in 1949, always yearned for siblings.

“All my life, I dreamed about having siblings somewhere,” he shared during an emotional meeting at the Rochester, New York, airport.

His journey to discover his biological family was hindered for years due to New York State’s sealed pre-adoption birth certificates.

“I always wanted to find them, but New York State sealed the pre-adoption birth certificates, and it was impossible to find out,” Handshaw explained.

However, a change in state law in 2019 allowed him to finally obtain his original birth certificate this past August.

This pivotal moment revealed the name of his biological father, Robert “Bud” Romig, who had already passed away.

“The first thing I did when I got my father’s name was Google him, and up pops his obituary,” Handshaw recounted.

Not only did Handshaw discover his striking resemblance to Romig, but he also learned about his newfound siblings.

Romig, a Cornell University graduate student in the physics department, had three adopted children and five biological ones.

Handshaw reached out to one of his stepbrothers, Gary Romig, hoping for a warm reception.

“I chose Gary as the one that I would call because I knew he was adopted and I was adopted, and so I thought he would be empathetic to my situation,” Handshaw recalled.

Gary described the unexpected phone call: “I got a phone call and I didn’t recognize the number. I hardly ever answer the phone if I don’t recognize the number. But for some reason, I answered it.”

When Gary learned of Dixon’s identity, he was taken aback.

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

Upon receiving a photo of Handshaw, Gary immediately recognized the family resemblance.

“I sent him a picture, and [Gary] sent the picture out to all his siblings,” Handshaw explained. “They said, ‘It’s dad!’”

The news was shared with the rest of the siblings: “That’s your new brother,” Gary told them.

Just before Christmas, Handshaw traveled to Rochester, where he was embraced by more than 50 relatives.

“I’ve never met anybody who shares my DNA,” he expressed. “It was wonderful. I have never felt such an outpouring of unconditional love as I had from my new family.”

This heartening connection has led to plans for a family camping trip in summer 2025, with daily interactions in a lively group chat.

“We’re on it every day,” Handshaw said.

Reflecting on his journey, Handshaw expressed gratitude for his adoptive parents while celebrating his newfound siblings.

“I had great adoptive parents. They were wonderful. I love them and I miss them, but I always wanted siblings, and now I have them,” he said. “I thought one or two would be great. I got six!”

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