Called the police

It is astonishing how many trolls and thick-as-pigshit people there are on MN sometimes - the people saying maybe they came to tell you about an inheritance/medical matter, etc are seriously so stupid I’m surprised they can string a sentence together. 1.) They categorically were not coming to tell the OP about an inheritance, it’s not their place, a solicitor would do that and 2.) there is nothing that they couldn’t have said in an email, absolutely no reason to turn up at the OP’s door, and harass and intimidate her over several days.

OP - I truly hope you can put this behind you. I’m sorry that you and your DB clearly had a very traumatic childhood and it’s great that you have been able to build a happy family life for yourself. Great also that your DH is supportive with this situation. You do not owe these strangers - whoever they are - ANYTHING. Not an explanation, not a word. Whatever pain they may have experienced in their lives is nothing to do with you.

It would be advisable to get a solicitor involved to send the letter writer a formal letter stating that you wish for no further contact whatsoever, in the hope that will make them back off. And please also consider some sessions with a counsellor, as this incident has understandably been very unsettling and disturbing for you, and will have brought back some very painful memories.

I wish you, your DB and your family to continue to have a peaceful and happy future.

The letter could be anything: begging for money; asking for information, eg a family member’s surname; apologising; asking if there could be any more siblings; offering an explanation of something; saying they want to keep in touch or arrange some kind of meet up, etc etc. Some of those are clearly more intrusive than others, and some could be dealt with along with a request for no further contact.

These people made initial contact by email. If that had been answered with a ‘not interested, please don’t contact us again’ reply, then the people might never have turned up on OP’s doorstep. It’s hard to know if they’re being malicious or are just desperate. My guess is they want to form some kind of relationship with the OP, which OP is quite entitled to absolutely refuse, but maybe a clear, concise answer would stop any further stress/contact.

I would keep the letter and take it with you to the solicitor. You don’t have to read it, but it might help with action that is needed.
Sending hugs, it must be a dreadful situation for you.

Absolutely this, some absolute busy bodies on this thread wanting to know what the backstory is, when it has nothing to do with them, and won’t add anything to their lives except something to pass judgement on and gossip about

100% that. Even if the 'visitors' have their own agony, it's not OP 's responsibility to damage her own mental health to relieve theirs.

This is clearly not your average lost family situation. OP 's brother feels exactly as she does and her DH is fully aware of the life she led and witnessed it. They are all on the same page, so I think we have to trust them all to know what's best.

She knows because she knows herself, her DH, her brother, her family, and a heck of a lot more about the situation than the people on here who keep prying and pushing. Can't you trust OP - and her DH, who has read it - to know what's best for her? People keep trotting out the long lost family fantasies (inheritance, illness, sob stories) when OP is super clear that it's not on that planet and that no good will come of engaging. She's very clear on all of that and so is much better doing anything further via a solicitor than getting personally involved.

Absolutely - this with bells on.

I hope these people leave you in peace now

I’m finding the badgering of the OP in this thread more than a little uncomfortable….

She knows her situation far better than any of us. And her husband now knows what it is they want so he can tell her if he feels it would be in her best interest.

Yes. And the people might have wanted to tell you that they were victims too, needing some information you might have that would help them, or wanted to apologise on behalf of relations.

How could your DH "say anything" about the letter when you are so adamant that you don't want to know?

Getting a solicitor to write to them sounds sensible. I’m so sorry these people have trampled all over your hard won peace. It might be sensible to hang onto the letter to use as evidence in case they continue to chase you. But I understand if you can’t bear to have it around still.

OP has the benefit of knowing the history of their own family. Something we don’t.
If OP believes they need a solicitor, then OP needs a solicitor.

And to everyone who said it’s likely health related, OP’s DH would ofc have communicated that, so I’m sure we can put that to bed now.

There’s clearly a huge backstory here, and without more insight it’s difficult to know who is being reasonable (or not) or to give any advice.
I’m sad for all of you. They have clearly gone to great lengths to track you down, so will be horribly disappointed that you won’t engage at all. And OP clearly has reasons for not wanting to engage at all. 😢

It's hard to understand the determination and persistence at wanting to talk to you, to the point they would go to such lengths just to track you down then refuse to leave. Not exactly the behaviour of someone who just wants to have a showdown. They could have done that on your drive. They are actually risking quite a lot here if you think about it and could get in serious trouble but are still desperate to tell you something regardless. Is there a chance that it could be something really important they need to discuss, that you need to know about?

Fair enough, perhaps you need a "cease and desist" letter on the grounds of harassment.

How do you know?
You haven't engaged with these people and you haven't read their letter.

Wouldn't it be better for you and your brother to write a joint letter, signed by you both, in reply, just saying you refuse to read their letter (other than their address), want absolutely nothing to do with them, will not meet or speak to them or read any further letters, and will regard any future attempt at contact as harassment.

But tbh I would have to read the letter so I at least knew what they wanted to say. Maybe check with your DH first whether he thinks it’s got anything in it that might upset you.

I don’t see how seeing a solicitor will help. It’s not illegal to try to contact someone.

Goodness how lacking in empathy are you?

Goodness, what a bizarre over reaction.

They obviously panicked you and should definitely not be turning up at your door. Have you not received any letters?
It may be important that they speak to you though so I wouldnt dispose of any letters they send you. One example is that there could be medical conditions within the family genetics that they have a duty to inform you about.

I'd be intrigued by how they know where you live, and if you're not on any DNA sites why they think that you are related. Is it possible they think you are someone else? Could you ask them who they think you are? It could be a huge mistake. I get you had a difficult childhood, and are entitled to say you don't want anything to do with them if you are related. But the not knowing if this is mistaken identity due to these facts would be as stressful to me as wondering if they were going to show up again. The police won't be able to do anything, as they cannot even approach them for you, as you don't know who they are. It's all really odd. Have you recently moved there? Could you move again easily? I would not invite them inside, I would stress that however!

Do the people saying "why didn't you just say you don't want to talk?" not understand trauma or what may very well be PTSD. If I knock on someone's door and they shut it in my face, that's a pretty clear message they don't want to talk to me!