Hanmer man finds birth family after Facebook post goes viral

Last week, Yvan Chenier received the best present he could have ever imagined — he found his birth family.

Born Feb. 1, 1975 in St. John's, Newfoundland, Chenier was adopted to Robert and Colette Chenier in April of that year.

He still lives in Hanmer with his fiancee Tina and 10-year-old son, Zachary, and works at the Canada Revenue Agency.

At 40-years-old, Chenier wanted the chance to meet his birth mother while he still could, and find more about his birth family's medical history.

He put in a request through the Children's Aid Society for more information, but knew it might take a long time for a match to be made.

One of Chenier's friends had found their birth mother through Facebook, so he decided to give that method a try.

Including photos of himself now and as a child, he made the following post in September: “Hello friends. I was wondering if any of you can help me out. I'm looking for my birth mother or any family members that I may have.

“I was born in St. John's, Newfoundland on Feb. 1, 1975, and was given up for adoption in April of the same year. My birth name was Michael Patrick, but I do not know my last name.

“I know that my grandfather had a small bakery in a little town outside St. John's. My birth mother was in her early 20s, short, and I was supposedly one of the first boys born in her family.”

The post went viral, and was shared more than 40,000 times. Chenier's story then gained media attention in Newfoundland, and that's what eventually prompted his birth brother to contact him Dec. 30.

He received the following message on Facebook messenger: “I have seen your post about the adoption from St. John's, NL. You are right about some things. She is short, she does have seven sisters.

“The bakery was in St. John's, not outside. Last name was (redacted). How do I know all this? It's because she is my mother also.”

Chenier said the message came from a 39-year-old man named Stephen (he's not publicly releasing his last name). He said the details match up so well, he's 99 per cent convinced he's his birth brother.

Stephen always knew his parents had given a child up for adoption, but didn't know he was looking for them.

“It's wild, man,” said Chenier. “I look at pictures and I see myself. His wife Susan has messaged me a few times saying that with the striking similarities, she does a double take.”

He hasn't yet spoken to his biological mother or father, as he's letting the news sink in. “It's got to be quite the shock for them, so they're still absorbing it,” Chenier said.

He said he's incredibly thankful and happy to have found his birth family. “When I decided to embark on this journey, I never thought this day would come,” Chenier said in a Facebook post.

As for his own family, they're just as thrilled, Chenier said. His fiancee and son have enjoyed seeing pictures of his birth family on Facebook.

He said he wants to thank everyone who helped to get the word out about his story. “There's so many people to thank,” he said.