People   (Re-unions, trace old friends and relatives.)

I agree. This is why I am wary and want to verify somehow.
To date everyone over this side of the world thinks Joseph Holmes has no siblings or parents but he came from Wigan. That much we know.
The rest may be true but has been "figured out" by the lady finding a very old notebook (in England). It is the correct Joseph Holmes as his Australian address is in it. But there is nowhere actually saying that these people are his relatives in that book. The book was in Ellen's old home I believe so at least someone knew him.
If more people know stories or if other people have had their DNA tested, we may be able to turn it to facts. I have had a man of Horrocks as a DNA match and can't figure him out and as soon as I got to this site, I saw a question about Horrocks. It had not occurred to me that our mystery DNA match Horrocks might live in Wigan... I will keep figuring for now. Thankyou!!