Shocking family secret uncovered after 10 years and 3 kids: Is your spouse related to you?

In a tale that seems more suited to the plot of a dramatic soap opera than real life, Celina and Joseph 'Joe' Quinones's love story took an unexpected turn that left them, and surely anyone who hears their story, utterly flabbergasted. After a whirlwind romance that led to a decade of marriage and the birth of three children, the couple discovered a hidden truth that would forever change their understanding of their relationship: they were, in fact, cousins.

The discovery came about as innocently as any modern-day hobbyist activity might. Celina, driven by a curiosity about her heritage, decided to delve into the world of genealogy and DNA testing. What was meant to be a journey into the past to connect with ancestors and cultural roots turned into a revelation that brought the past a little too close to home.


The Quinones, who had never suspected any familial connection despite occasional comments from friends about their similar looks, were stunned. The DNA results were undeniable, showing a genetic link that indicated they were somewhere between third and fifth cousins. The news was so shocking that it initially cast a shadow of doubt over their marriage, with Celina even considering divorce as she grappled with the implications of their intertwined DNA.


compressed-pexels-couple.jpeg
The Quinones immediately married six months into their relationship. Image Credit: Pexels/Hanna Auramenka


But love, as it often does, proved to be a resilient force. After much contemplation and private discussions, Celina and Joe decided that their bond was stronger than the surprise that fate had thrown their way. They chose to stay together, and their marriage, they claim, is more robust than ever.


Their story raises a myriad of questions and concerns, not least of which is the importance of understanding one's family history. In a world where love can be found in the most unexpected places, including online dating platforms, the risk of unknowingly entering into a relationship with a relative, however distant, is a real possibility.

To address this concern and to help others avoid the same shock they experienced, Celina and Joe have launched a dating platform named Before We Be. Their service aims to help individuals discover potential familial connections before romantic relationships develop, thereby preventing the emotional turmoil that can come with such a discovery.

The Quinones's experience is a powerful reminder of the complexities of life and love in the age of technology. It underscores the importance of transparency and the need for open conversations about our backgrounds when entering into lifelong commitments.


For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, this story might resonate on different levels. Perhaps it brings to mind the importance of family history and the stories passed down through generations. Or maybe it serves as a cautionary tale about the unexpected twists that life can present, even in the golden years.
Key Takeaways

  • Celina and Joseph Quinones, after a decade of marriage and three children, discovered they were cousins while researching their family tree.
  • Despite the initial shock, they decided to keep their ancestry a secret initially, but eventually chose to stay together and their marriage is claimed to be stronger than ever.
  • The couple launched a dating platform named Before We Be, aiming to help prevent people from entering into relationships with relatives unknowingly.
  • Celina shared her story on TikTok, where it went viral and received both backlash and support, but she stands by her decision to reveal the truth of their relationship.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. Have you ever discovered surprising connections within your own family tree? How important do you think it is to know your partner's ancestry? Join the conversation and let us know your take on this astonishing story.
 
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It is scary to think you have family that you know nothing about. My mum found out at the age of 60 that she was adopted. Only because she needed her birth certificate for the pension. So we could have family that we know nothing about. By the time she found out both her mum and dad had passed away.
 
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I don't understand what the big deal is. First cousins can procreate safely yet these people were somewhere between third and fourth.
Not first cousins... second cousins - Yes!
It is proven that first cousins have a much higher chance of passing the same bad genes which can relate more commonly in their children being born with those deformities/illnesses.
With 2nd or more cousins, the gene is substantially more "watered-down", so if passed on there is a higher chance of carrying it only.
It's actually illegal to marry a first cousin in Australia, but legal for a 2nd or more.
 
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Earlier this year, I found out through genealogy, that a very close friend of my family and I, who we have known and been close with for over 40 years, (and also lived just around the corner from us) is actually my 3rd or 4th cousin on my mother's side!!!!
 
I don't understand what the big deal is. First cousins can procreate safely yet these people were somewhere between third and fourth.
Not at all!

The children of first cousins have a greater probability of suffering an autosomal recessive disorder such as thalassaemia, Primary Ciliary Dykinesia (PCD), and Tay- Sachs disease.
 
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Our daughter is married to a lovely man, they have never planned on having children. After they had been married several years my sister was doing a family tree and discovered our daughter and son in law are fifth cousins. She was quite upset and wondered if they should get divorced. luckily she overcame her worries and they are still together. He wasn’t a bit fazed by it all. My mum and dad were 3rd cousins, it didn’t worry them or any of us ten kids. It was quite common years ago, at least in country districts and small towns, for cousins to marry as there was little chance for them to move away and meet someone from a different area.
 
With regards to relationships in marriage it is considered unsafe for second cousins to marry. Beyond that it considered safe. In my own family research I discovered that my son and daughter-in-law were third cousins once removed which is considered quite safe. However if it is known that there has been adoptions or sperm or egg donations in the family history a DNA test would be a good idea as in such cases true ancestry is not necessarily known. Checking ancestry back four generations would easily be adequate for anyone wanting to be sure as if there are no links in that distance they would be quite safe. That is 30 persons for each individual (2 parents, 4 gp's, 8 ggp's & 16 gggparents). Records should be available for tracing this far back.
Cheers, Maari
 
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