By Sheldon Spackman and Troy Gillard

B.C. man believes birth father he’s searching for is in Red Deer

Feb 20, 2019 | 2:19 PM

A B.C. man believes the birth father he’s never met may be living in Red Deer.

Trevor Johnston was given up for adoption when he was born at Grace Hospital in Calgary in 1962.

The search for his biological parents dates back about 20 years to when his first son was born.

“My doctor asked us for any family history. Of course, I didn’t have any. We tried tracking down my birth parents and then one thing leads to another and things don’t get done.”

Johnston, who is 56 and lives in Coquitlam, B.C., says he tracked down and met his birth mother, who was 17 when he was born, about 18 years ago. He says she wanted nothing to do with him.

charges pending

Red Deer RCMP arrest two individuals following ramming of police vehicle

4h ago

Riverside Drive & southbound 67 Street

Red Deer temporary road closure of street ramp on Saturday

4h ago

breach

Town of Ponoka gives cybersecurity update: investigation ongoing

5h ago

“It was part of her past that she wants to no longer remember,” he explained. “I can understand it because of the times and what they went through and the age that they were.

“I explained to her I wasn’t after anything, just a relationship, just some information. She gave me a bit of information and that was about as far as she wanted to go with it.”

Johnston has learned his birth father’s name is Ross Michael Smith, that he was born in 1942 and grew up in Red Deer. He also found out Smith has an older sister, younger sister and younger brother but does not know their names.

“I think with him having those three other siblings, chances are maybe they all grew up and lived in Red Deer,” suggests Johnston, who does not have any friends living in the Red Deer area. “I believe he’s had two daughters. I’m thinking everyone kind of grew up and was raised in Red Deer.”

Johnston has scoured Facebook and tried calling RCMP to help with his search but to no avail. He doesn’t know anyone in Red Deer but is hoping the public can help him out.

“I’d love to have a relationship, and meet him and talk about stuff. I know times weren’t good back there but I’ve had a good upbringing and my adopted parents are very good and very receptive to the idea.

“I’m just looking for a relationship, or just to meet the man.”

Johnston says he hasn’t done any DNA testing because the relevant information from that is included on his birth certificate, which he has. He also hasn’t used online services such as Ancestry.ca or 23 and Me because he already knows who he’s looking for.

“He might not have any knowledge of myself being born,” he suspects. “But I think there might be somebody around (who does).”

Anyone who may know the man Johnston is searching for, can contact our newsroom at news@rdnewsnow.com or 403-342-6397.