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Internet helps reunite Hamilton natives nearly 40 years later

Long-lost cousins Mary Ray of Clemmons, N.C., and Robert Federle of New Iberia, La., had not seen each other for nearly 40 years until the two Hamilton natives were reunited this week. Ray located Federle through the Union Terminal levy Web site and the two visited the Cincinnati Museum Center on Sunday, Jan. 31. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

Apryl Pilolli/Staff photographer Long-lost cousins Mary Ray of Clemmons, N.C., and Robert Federle of New Iberia, La., had not seen each other for nearly 40 years until the two Hamilton natives were reunited this week. Ray located Federle through the Union Terminal levy Web site and the two visited the Cincinnati Museum Center on Sunday, Jan. 31. Staff photo by Apryl Pilolli

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By Ed Richter, Staff Writer Updated 8:01 AM Monday, February 1, 2010

CINCINNATI — It’s been nearly 40 years since Mary Ray and Robert Federle last saw each other.

The last time they were together was in 1971 at Federle’s parents home in Hamilton when their grandfather passed away. Ray was 7 at the time.

But thanks to the Internet and some luck, the two cousins finally got to see each other again this past weekend.

Ray, 45, of Clemmons, N.C., found her cousin’s name while doing some genealogical research. She did a Google search on Federle, 55, of New Iberia, La., and the first thing that popped up was his account of a DeLorean auto show with his late father, Paul, at the Museum Center at Union Terminal.

“I was surprised his name popped up,” she said.

Ray contacted the Museum Center staff and got Federle’s e-mail address.

“It didn’t look like junk mail so I thought I’d better respond to it,” Federle said of when he saw his cousin’s name in his inbox.

Federle and his wife, Connie are formerly from Hamilton. He works on an offshore oil rig. Two of his three stepchildren, Tammy Segura and Bryan McDaniel, also live in Hamilton,

Ray and her husband are the parents of three children. She works as a pediatric nurse.

The pair have been exchanging photos and catching up on what has happened over the years.

“I’m really glad to see him,” Ray said. “We’ve talked so much on the phone and chatted on the computer. I’m just so glad to be here.”

Ray said she had to beat the winter storm weather that has hit some of the southeastern states to make the reunion with her cousin.

Federle said it was important to get back in touch with Ray because they are the only two left in their family who have a relationship. He said the reunion was weird because they immediately clicked, despite the long separation.

“I think the amount of time that we’ve been separated has made a new bond,” he said.

Federle and Ray said it won’t be a decade until they see each other again. Federle hopes to visit his cousin in North Carolina in June or July.

Contact this reporter at (513) 696-4504 or erichter@coxohio.com.

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