AL ISAACS — AUTHOR • SPEAKER • STORYTELLER
A FAMILY SECRET. A DNA MYSTERY.
A STORY 56 YEARS IN THE MAKING.
At 52, Al Isaacs accidentally discovered that he had been adopted—and that nearly everyone in his family had known except him.
What followed was an extraordinary search through DNA, genealogy, false adoption records and forgotten music history that ultimately led him across the Atlantic to the mother he never knew.
Now the award-winning author of Finding Mary Smith brings that remarkable story to audiences with humor, honesty, archival images, video and the perspective of a professional storyteller.
2026 GLOBAL BOOK AWARDS — GOLD | WIMBORNE LITERARY FESTIVAL | LIBRARIES • FESTIVALS • GENEALOGY & ADOPTION GROUPS
A Story Told Live
For more than 25 years, Al Isaacs entertained audiences as a comedian, improviser and teacher. Now he brings those storytelling skills to the extraordinary true story behind Finding Mary Smith.
Al's presentations combine storytelling, humor, photographs, archival material, DNA discoveries and multimedia to take audiences from the moment he learned the truth about his birth through the search that eventually brought him face-to-face with his biological mother more than five decades later.
Programs can include presentation, audience Q&A and book signing and can be tailored to the interests of each organization.
CHOOSE A PROGRAM
PROGRAM ONE — SIGNATURE PRESENTATION
Finding Mary Smith
The Search for the Mother I Never Knew
At 52, Al received a telephone call that changed everything he believed about his life.
This multimedia presentation follows the remarkable true story from that first revelation through DNA testing, family secrets, a half-sister who had been searching for him for years, and an obscure 1968 television talent competition that finally provided the clue he needed.
Funny, emotional and ultimately hopeful, it's a story about identity, family—and what happens when the truth arrives decades late.
Ideal for: Libraries • Literary Festivals • Bookstores • Community Organizations
PROGRAM TWO
DNA Doesn't Lie — But Families Sometimes Do
Family Secrets in the Age of Consumer DNA
Millions of people take DNA tests expecting ethnicity estimates and distant cousins. Some discover that the story they've been told about themselves isn't true.
Using his own late-discovery adoption as the starting point, Al explores DNA surprises, genealogy, Search Angels, family secrecy and the emotional consequences of discovering an unexpected biological identity.
Ideal for: Genealogy Societies • Libraries • Adoption/NPE Organizations • Lifelong Learning Programs
PROGRAM THREE
From Duke Ellington to DNA
Solving a 52-Year-Old Family Mystery
DNA could identify Al's biological father. Finding his mother was another matter.
The search eventually led to a forgotten 1968 national talent competition, a teenage folk singer from Flint, Michigan, Greenwich Village, Kapp Records—and footage from a television broadcast hosted by Duke Ellington.
Part genealogy detective story, part music history and part family mystery, this multimedia presentation shows how seemingly insignificant clues can unlock stories buried for generations.
Ideal for: Genealogy Groups • Historical Societies • Libraries • Music Organizations
See Al in Action
“It was one of the most honest and emotional events that we've ever held.”
— Malcolm, Gullivers Bookshop, Wimborne
“It was such a pleasure to work with Al at the Huntington Public Library. He was able to make a very personal family topic funny and compelling at the same time, and the audience loved him. His book, Finding Mary Smith, is an amazing read!”
— Jackie Narkiewicz, Huntington Public Library.”
WHAT AN EVENT CAN INCLUDE
30–60 minute presentation
Multimedia presentation available
Audience Q&A
Book signing
In-person or virtual programs
Programs tailored to your audience
Long Island / New York based • Available for travel
Al Isaacs is available for author talks, library programs, genealogy presentations, adoption and DNA discussion events, literary festivals, bookstores, community organizations, and conferences. Based on Long Island, New York, Al is available for local, regional, virtual, and select travel appearances. His presentations explore family secrets, late-discovery adoption, DNA surprises, genealogy, identity, and the true story behind Finding Mary Smith.