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I had a similar situation although not involving DNA. 

My late mother knew her mother had given her up in the early 1930s when she was a baby and had no further contact with her.  There was no father's details on her birth certificate and my mother had no interest in knowing anything about her background. 

Over 20 years ago I managed to trace and make contact with a cousin of my mother's and through her found out that my mother had a half-sister who was still alive and who lived within a couple of hours drive of my mother's address.

I kept that information from my mother, although it wasn't easy and I had a certain feeling of guilt about it.  It was only 6 years after my mother died that I told my siblings. 

I also waited until my mother had died to make contact with the half-sister who welcomed me and was able to fill in some gaps in my family history.  My siblings were very surprised that I'd kept this information private for so long.  They, however, had very little interest in the whole thing.  Everyone is different.  It matters to some people and not to others. 

I was also able to obtain photos of my grandmother and the likeness between her and my mother was startling.  It did cross my mind that she might have wanted to see a photo of her mother but something just made me put this to the back of my mind and try and forget about it.  It became easier as the years went on.

There was no way I would have ever told my mother and she had made it clear that she wasn't interested.  Had she shown an interest and asked me then, yes, perhaps I may have told her.

It was enough for me to know where I had come from and to have family photos.  It would have been of absolutely no benefit to upset my mother by sharing this with her.

Hello, I studied Pitman 2000 in 1985-1986 and still use it today. 

I see "no grief more buoyant than the brief choice". 

Although difficult to be certain as Pitman strokes are written above, on and below the line and this has been written on an unlined page.  Others may see something different.

Hi, I have recently made contact with someone who shares the same Grandmother as me.  My Grandmother had my Mother when she was a single woman and we have no idea who the father was.  My Mother was put into care and had no contact with her Mother after this.

Four years after my Mother was born, my Grandmother married and had 2 boys.  These boys would be my Mother's half brothers (although she wasn't brought up with them and knew nothing about them).  I've recently been in contact with the child of one of these half brothers and am trying to work out if that makes us half cousins (if there is such a thing).

Thanks very much.

I've looked through the database but can't see him.  Thanks everyone for your help with this one.  I guess this will be another photo with a mystery background!

Hi, my grandfather was a POW for 4 years in Sennelager II during WW1.  The attached photo was in his belongings.  I had assumed that this may be someone who was special to him during his time working on German farms but I really have no idea.  It isn't my grandmother who he married in 1920 after coming back to Scotland.  Would appreciate suggestions as to whether this photo is likely to have been taken in Germany.  Can anyone tell by the surroundings/her clothing?  The reverse of the photo is stamped "Sennelager" and has been approved for issuing to him, so I think the photo would be German.  Thank you.