South Australian Vietnam vet’s daughter finds biological grandparents after 46-year search

Samantha Hart often wonders how her father’s troubled life could have been different had he met Grace Moore, or at least known why she gave him up.

Even when Brendan Madigan was alive, she said, he never communicated much of his desire to find his biological parents.

“I was the one that was keen on finding the family,” Ms Hart said.

“But it was always on the back burner because I just didn’t know how to do it. It was too hard. It just felt beyond my capabilities.”

The 46-year-old had been able to uncover her grandmother’s name and where she grew up, but that was it. Until two years ago.

Suddenly, the words “Grace Moore from Streaky Bay” went from being a frustrating lead to a catalyst of revelation and newfound belonging.

Finding the family…