One in Six Million
216 pages
Published: April 1, 2025
Non-Fiction / History & Philosophy
Paperback: 9781773104249 $26.00
Maria was eight months old in 1942 when a childless couple found her, wrapped in a blanket, at the side of a road near Krosno, Poland. A note pinned to the blanket stated only her first name and her date of birth. The couple picked up Maria and raised her, but she grew up longing for identity and connection. Who was she, and what had happened to her family?
Published: April 1, 2025
Non-Fiction / History & Philosophy
Paperback: 9781773104249 $26.00
Maria was eight months old in 1942 when a childless couple found her, wrapped in a blanket, at the side of a road near Krosno, Poland. A note pinned to the blanket stated only her first name and her date of birth. The couple picked up Maria and raised her, but she grew up longing for identity and connection. Who was she, and what had happened to her family?
Years later, Maria’s story came to the attention of Stanley Diamond. Diamond was the founder of Jewish Records Indexing-Poland, one of the largest databases of Jewish vital records and a crucial tool in researching the stories of the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.
In this engrossing story, Amy Fish shows how Diamond and an intrepid band of international volunteers compared photographs with genealogical records and smuggled DNA tests to provide Maria with family ties that she thought were lost to her forever. A tale of unexpected coincidences, astonishing revelations, and more than a little luck, One in Six Million is an amazing story of lost — and found — identity.
In this engrossing story, Amy Fish shows how Diamond and an intrepid band of international volunteers compared photographs with genealogical records and smuggled DNA tests to provide Maria with family ties that she thought were lost to her forever. A tale of unexpected coincidences, astonishing revelations, and more than a little luck, One in Six Million is an amazing story of lost — and found — identity.
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Author
Amy Fish is the author of two previous books of non-fiction, The Art of Complaining Effectively and I Wanted Fries with That: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need. Her writing has also appeared in the Globe and Mail, Montreal Gazette, and Canadian Traveller. She has taught writing workshops for the Canadian Creative Non-Fiction Collective, the University of King’s College, and the Quebec Writers’ Federation. She lives in Montréal where she works as the Ombudsperson at Concordia University.
Reviews
“Upbeat stories to emerge out of the Holocaust are few and far between. This one by Amy Fish is not just uplifting, it is also thorough, well-crafted, and entertaining. To One in Six Million, I say Yes!” — Ken McGoogan, author of Shadows of Tyranny
“One in Six Million is a stunning achievement that interlaces the dark shadows of the Holocaust with the redemptive light of discovery. Through the lives of Maria, the survivor seeking her roots, and Stanley, the man who dedicated his life to unravelling genealogical mysteries, Fish crafts a narrative that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. With her impeccable storytelling and keen emotional insight, Fish takes readers on a journey that underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection. This book is a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding history to pave the way for a brighter future.” — Sarah Einstein, author of the Writing Family Histories Substack
“A remarkable and riveting true story, expertly researched and recounted. Along the way, the brilliant Amy Fish offers a crash course in Jewish genealogy and a powerful reminder of the human connections that unite us all.” — Stephanie Butnick, author of The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia
“One in Six Million is a stunning achievement that interlaces the dark shadows of the Holocaust with the redemptive light of discovery. Through the lives of Maria, the survivor seeking her roots, and Stanley, the man who dedicated his life to unravelling genealogical mysteries, Fish crafts a narrative that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. With her impeccable storytelling and keen emotional insight, Fish takes readers on a journey that underscores the resilience of the human spirit and the power of connection. This book is a poignant reminder of the importance of understanding history to pave the way for a brighter future.” — Sarah Einstein, author of the Writing Family Histories Substack
“A remarkable and riveting true story, expertly researched and recounted. Along the way, the brilliant Amy Fish offers a crash course in Jewish genealogy and a powerful reminder of the human connections that unite us all.” — Stephanie Butnick, author of The Newish Jewish Encyclopedia
