Something to read which is different. There are secrets in all families, Paul T 'Conner and his sisters research after thier mother's death the history of her adoption.
The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and the Life She Missed Publisher: Torchflame Publishing Release Date: May 26, 2026 Available from https://www.amazon.com/Missing-Child-Life-Lived-Missed/dp/1611537169
Just days after their mother’s passing, Paul T. O’Connor and his sister discovered an envelope among her private papers marked with a puzzling message: “burn without opening.”
Instead, O’Connor opened it — setting off a years-long quest to solve the genealogical mystery surrounding his mother’s hidden past, her “adoption” and the life she never spoke about.
Through public records, private memorabilia, DNA results and conversations with those who knew her, O’Connor reconstructs his mother’s inspiring legacy in his new book, The Missing Child: The Life She Lived and the Life She Missed.
“My mother’s story demonstrates how society lays shame on people for things over which they have no control,” O’Connor said. “Every time my mother was knocked down, she found a way to move forward and build a meaningful life.”
Born to Polish immigrants in Hartford, Connecticut, Charlotte Frazier’s life was marked by early instability. At just one month old, she was placed in a Catholic orphanage. Though later placed in a loving home, that sense of security was short-lived. Her adoptive mother died less than eight years later, and Charlotte was sent to live with relatives, where she was often treated more like a servant than a daughter.
What follows is the story of a girl who dreamed of a stable, loving future — and a woman who continued to rebuild when those dreams were repeatedly disrupted. Through it all, Charlotte persisted, forging a life defined not by circumstance, but by quiet resilience.
In retracing his mother’s life, O’Connor also explores questions of identity, ancestry and “found family” — and the truths people sometimes conceal to protect the lives they’ve built. Spanning decades and locations, The Missing Child is both a tribute to an unheralded life and a search for answers long buried — revealing not only where Charlotte came from but also the unwavering strength that propelled her toward a brighter future.
“I am so proud of my mother, and I hope readers come away with a deeper appreciation for the kinds of lives and achievements that often go unrecognized,” O’Connor added.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Paul T. O’Connor was born and raised in New Haven, Connecticut, and spent his career covering politics for North Carolina newspapers, television and radio. He also spent 30 years as a part-time journalism professor at the University of North Carolina. He is a graduate of Notre Dame (B.A. American Studies) and the University of Minnesota (M.A. Journalism). He is married and lives in Durham. His one son lives in Oregon.
For more information, please visit http://paultoconnor.com or follow the author on Facebook (The Missing Child) and Reddit (r/TellingFamilyStories)
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