Do you know your heritage?
I found out a few years ago and was surprised by a few things in my DNA results.
My sister did this as well at a later time and while we are directly related, there were some differences that stood out.
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Yes as I have done extensive research on my Family History.
Plus Mitochondrial DNA full sequence completed as well.
The DNA test uncovered the unidentified lineage of my Great Grandmother ( fathers side).
I encourage others to complete their own family history and enlighten the rest of the family plus leave a legacy for the descendants.
I agree.
I have done some research, but nowhere near my husband. He can trace his family way back.
Did you have any surprises when you got your DNA results back?
We have the family genealogy going way back, but no dna testing so far. The history is more important to me than the detailed dna.
@KNOWITALL -The DNA can make things more interesting & help with the research too. Sometimes, it can point to specific regions within a country.
Initially, I was hesitant to submit DNA but, meh, not too concerned.
@lucillelucillelucille Just that connection that turned out be related to the Great grandmother
( Fathers side).
That connection sent me loads of photographs and a very interesting story about my fathers mother.
In short:
My fathers mother ( Elise)( thus my Grandmother) Was cared for by her French speaking Grandparents and never knew about her parents ?
Turns out that Elise’s mother died 12 days after giving birth to her and the husband not knowing how to look after a baby sent her to live with the Grandparents and she never knew about her father at all.
Meanwhile five years later her father remarries and the new wife tells him not to have communications with his daughter nor talk about his ex wife?
Elise’s father in a wild January winter storm and on a bridge with no barriers falls over the edge with his team of horses and heavy laden wagon and gets pinned down ,not to be discovered until a few days later ( after the storm).
Result: He had both arms amputated below the elbows, but determined he makes a brace on each arm above the elbow to still farm 50 acres of land by himself, raise ten more kids and leave a legacy for his wife and kids.
I am not sure if he had left anything for Elise?
It was an inspiring story of never giving up.
Later when Elise married ( my Late Grandfather) she met up with her father and step kids.
note: They didn’t speak French , but someone translated. Glad that they finally met when she married.
I would not had received this information unless I submitted that DNA test….I am glad that I did as it solved the mystery of my late Grandmothers lineage.
Well, I know my grandparents on my mom’s side immigrated from Holland in the 20s. They had 8 kids at that point. I also know my grandfather came ahead of my grandmother. When it was time for her, she got on that steamer with 8 kids, all by herself.
My dad’s side just claims Texas. Nobody seems to want to really talk much about it. I mean, we’ve got names going back a few generations, but no stories.
I do not want my DNA out there. I have a half brother and sister out there somewhere. I don’t want them coming around wanting a kidney. :-)
@chyna -That was my initial reason for not wanting to do it not wanting my DNA out there.
I knew someone who found out about some half-siblings that he was unaware of.
As for the kidney? That might come in handy. Lol!
I’m going to ask a question about that…..I think I would love to find out I have other sisters or MAYBE even a brother out there. I never had a brother.
Apparently a fairly recent relative was a volleyball & one time silent partner of Tom Hanks.
I mean, we share the same name so it must be true…no?
Give that gal a ceeeegarrrrr!!
Not at the DNA level, no. I know what I know from family stories, photographs, and other documents. I’m not opposed to taking a DNA test, though.
@Demosthenes – That is good to have those stories & photos.:)
The DNA test only adds to that IMO.
Several DNA tests and quite an extensive genealogy documented.
I’m a white guy with European ancestors. Big surprise there.
Some interesting people in the tree though.
@ARE_you_kidding_me – No little surprises then? Mine weren’t anything major but unexpected just the same.
Yes. I can trace my family lineage back to the 11th century, around the time of Edward the Confessor. As far as DNA tests – I don’t really give a shit. Such tests do not tell the story of my ancestors and their lives.
@Darth_Algar – I believe my husband’s ancestor (William the Conqueror killed him)
The Conqueror killed the Confessor? I don’t think that’s correct, I believe Edward died of a stroke in early January 1066, several months before William’s invasion of England. Edward had died childless and his crown was inherited by his brother-in-law, Harold Godwinson. Now Harold, on the other hand, was killed by William, at the Battle of Hastings in October 1066.
@Darth_Algar – He was the last Saxon king,right? The Battle of Hastings? I thought he died with an arrow through the eye.
I just re-read your post! Yep, you are right. :)
My ancestry shows white, white, white, white. God I’m boring.
@lucillelucillelucille
I did in a family history book for my family in 2015 and still discovering more interesting facts going back to 1708 in Canada .(pioneer who owned a four mast boat (called a Brigadine) to sell goods up and down the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
He had large number of acres of land on the island St Jean and I think Tobacco and other products were traded. He employed 50 people and gave land to them as well.
This one ancestor also at age 17 yrs old apprenticed on a ship to learn the trade and sailed to India, Africa, new France ( Canada) and South America as well finally setting roots down and marrying .
His son’s also bought boats and did same as there father although only in New France of which became Canada .
@Dutchess_III
Write the Family history in a book and the stories will follow . try blurb.com .
Get DNA done as well and learn a lot that probably is hidden?
I am still researching my in laws side of the family and what a nightmare!
( got the male side done but the female side…ahhhhhhh!)
Well, I started a private family page on Facebook for both my mother’s side and my father’s side. My mothers side of the family is much more active than my father’s side. But both sides tell stories.
@lucillelucillelucille there were two: A blood relation to a founding father and an author we were supposed to be related to we were not. Also we were supposed to have Cherokee heritage but that was a lie.
It was a surprise for sure!
Had some ancestors involved in the Salem witch trials as well.
@ARE_you_kidding_me- A friend of mine found that out which opened her up to a fair amount of teasing.:)
My husband and his brother also got DNA results which was interesting to compare differences.
I’m from Mormon descent. There are polygamists on both sides of the family. It certainly makes for a complicated family tree! (Yikes!)
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