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Orphan Smith

My Father’s Secret

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Orphan Smith

By: BBC Studios
Narrated by: Megan Follows, Turi King
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About this listen

When a DNA test blows apart her father’s hidden identity many years after his death, Deb finds she has a sister, Barbara, and an entirely new family she never knew. As the sisters work to unravel more of their father’s secrets, they find his connection to a dark chapter of British-Canadian history. Will the sisters finally get to the bottom of their father’s past? Or are some secrets meant to stay buried forever?

From BBC Studios, the producers of hits such as Stalked and To Catch a Scorpion as well as Audible Originals Mother, Neighbor, Russian Spy and I Am Not Nicholas comes Orphan Smith: My Father’s Secret, a gripping seven-part series that follows a daughter’s search for the truth.

©2025 BBC Studios (P)Audible Originals LLC Historical
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This was a very emotive and touching story which unearths more of the situation caused by poverty.

The research and attitudes of both families to solve the mystery of their father and forebears.

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I enjoyed everything about this, though sad at times it was very informative. And of interest to anyone on their own path of DNA discovery

The generational pain

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In some ways it felt like a podcast at the start. Several areas of this story I could relate to. Well worth listening to.

Very Interesting

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Thank you to this family for sharing their story. It was handled gracefully and with care and was so interesting. As an Australian this hit close to our history as well so I thank you.

Wonderful story

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Loved this. The whole thing! I enjoyed the history behind the whole thing and the real feelings behind the story

The genuine story

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Story was mildly interesting but could have been completed in one episode snore snore snore zzz

Dragged out

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It sounded like these guys just shamelessly misappropriated Rudd's 2008 Sorry Speech to fit their own story of the mistreatment of British Home Children.

The Narrator claimed that the Australian government had, only a few months earlier than the Brits in 2010, formally apologised to the Home Children sent out to Australia.

The carefully selected excerpt of Rudd's speech used in this Podcast avoided any mention of Indigenous Australia's Stolen Generations, to whom it was directed.
This in my opinion, misrepresents it's original intention, and once again openly exploits these vulnerable people.

This should be rectified immediately.

possible misappropriation

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.