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Finding Carlton
In 2019 I decided on a whim to submit a DNA sample to Ancestry.com. I was curious about my family history and thought it could be interesting to see what information I could uncover. Little did I know that this decision would lead me to finding and connecting with a brother I never knew I had!
Establishing your brand as an illustrator
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Finding and landing your first illustration clients
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Managing your time and workflow as a freelance illustrator
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Building a network and promoting your work through social media
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Diversifying your income streams as an illustrator
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Finding Carlton Through Ancestry.com
April 2019 I decided on a whim to submit a DNA sample to Ancestry.com. I was curious about my family history and thought it could be interesting to see what information I could uncover. Little did I know that this decision would lead me to finding and connecting with a brother I never knew I had!
A few weeks after sending in my test, I received an email from Ancestry.com informing me that I had a close family match - a man named Carlton Craig. I looked at his profile and saw that he was born in 1966, the same year that my mother had put a son up for adoption. Could this be my long-lost brother?
I nervously reached out to Carlton through the Ancestry platform. When I say how many dna % matched my own I knew at that moment I had found my brother! Shared DNA: 2,570 cM across 57 segments
On Memorial Day weekend of 2019 I facetimed Carlton and we talked for a hour or so then I texted him many many questions. I have learned to slow down and let us reconnect at a slower pace. There was this inner child that was crying out to find him and was finally satisfied. My dad Jim Norman had passed away in 2014. So I think it was important now more than ever to find him. I thank God everyday for finding him.
The next milestone in this journey happened on September 19, 2019 when Carlton got to meet his biological mother, our mother Sandy Norman, for the very first time. Carlton’s mother Joanne Craig now deceased was able to join us along with his niece Halle and adopted sister Joellen.
My mom had put Carlton up for adoption. Back then white’s and blacks as a couple was not very common like it is today. I think the fear of racism and losing her teaching job in a all white school contributed to her decision, and meeting him was incredibly emotional and healing for her. They continue to build their relationship and make up for lost time.
I'm so grateful to Ancestry.com for connecting me to my long-lost older brother. Getting that initial DNA match has led to so much joy, fulfillment and family bonding over the last year. It just goes to show you never know what surprises life has in store, and a simple DNA test can uncover them!
Our mother her Sandra Lea Norman passed away on March 3, 2024. She went peacefully to be with the Lord and her brother Dick Robb and sister Jean Hofstetter. Her obituary is here.
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