When Suzette Williams from Sydney took her first DNA test in 2014, she never imagined it would completely rewrite her life story. After multiple tests, it was revealed that she is Serbian, with roots originating from the region of Lika.
In an extraordinary twist of fate, Suzette’s first DNA match was Jovica Krtinić, a Serbian researcher of genetic genealogy and president of the “Poreklo” (Origin) Society of Serbian Genealogists. After establishing contact in 2014, the two decided to meet in person. Suzette traveled to Serbia for the first time in 2018, meeting Jovica and his family and leaving with unforgettable memories.
Subsequent testing within Jovica’s family confirmed that Suzette and Jovica are relatives on his father’s side. Jovica Krtinić shared the details of this discovery on Kurir TV.
A Chance Genetic Match
“Suzette used the ‘Family Finder’ test from an American laboratory where I also had my data stored, having founded the Serbian DNA Project in 2012. As it happened, I was one of her closest genetic relatives at that moment, along with several other people from neighboring villages in southern Lika. This confirmed that her biological father was a man from Lika,” Jovica explained.
A Lifelong Search for Identity
Suzette grew up in a foster family without knowing her biological father. At the age of 18, she moved to America before eventually settling in Australia. Her search for her identity began in earnest in 2014.
“She came to Serbia with such a strong desire to meet me and other people; from the very first moment, there was a palpable sense of family,” Jovica said. “She met my family, and we spent a lot of time together. She has visited several times since then.”
The Breakthrough
This past autumn, Suzette returned to Serbia with a new reason to celebrate. After more than ten years of searching, she finally discovered the identity of her biological father.
“While she hasn’t physically found him yet, a major breakthrough occurred late last year when she matched with a woman who turned out to be her aunt—the biological sister of Suzette’s father,” Jovica explained.
Source/Photo: Kurir TV