When I was a child my mother always told me that we had Native American ancestors—either Chippewa or Cherokee (she wasn’t sure which). I was fascinated and remained that way all my life eventually majoring in archaeology and anthropology in college and participating in several archaeological excavations as well as writing about Native American cultures. Evidently this was what was told to her by her grandmother. A year or so ago I got the Ancestry.com DNA test to see exactly who my ancestors were.
Well the test didn’t turn out as I had thought it would. For all intents and purposes I am 100% white with no racial mixture. My ancestry is 72% western European, 14% from Ireland, Wales and Scotland, 6% Scandinavian, 4% from Great Britain and 2% from Southern Europe. Not one drop of Native American blood. Needless to say I was disappointed. At the same time I have been to Great Britain including England, Wales and Ireland and love it there. I felt completely at home among the history, the ruins and the culture. Through the DNA test I have traced individual ancestors back a thousand years and more and finding some who had lost their heads in the Tower of London after being falsely accused of treason and others who served along with some of the bravest historical figures in history including Robert the Bruce as well as others who fought in the Revolution and Civil War. In addition I found hundreds of people who arrived on the shores of the future United States and carved the wilderness into a place for future generations, becoming farmers and shop owners and craftsmen.
The DNA results were different from what I expected but they are also welcome in that I have a better understanding of those who came before me and what they did so that today I have my own niche. So my only advice is to not go into this with a preconceived notion as to who you really are but stay open for all the possibilities. And let me tell you there are thousands of possibilities.
DNA proved my own best estimate, Viking predominant....
and, nicely proved that the ancestors I had found using everything available from my teens forward, LDS heritage center materials, everything I could locate reading books from local library, etc...
I do share DNA with my found relatives, and Ancestry has provided so many, at fingertip discovery,
I too was told by both parents that there was Native American in the line, and while I didn't have a bit show up on the test; realize that at best my own kinship would be about 1/128 or less, and wonder whether that little would show up on the test, 1/32 even if proved may or may not qualify for CDIB card, and I have less than that
It is interesting that that story didn't hold up. Our family has had two thorough genealogy studies done and while we are mixed European, we are predominantly Germanic, about 95%, with I'm sure more Neanderthal in our blood than other people not from that area.
It was also interesting in recent emails and my sister, that she thought we were English, because of our name. I was told by my grandmother that we had Scotch, Irish, and French (Alsace-Lorraine) heritage in small amounts and our English name has come down very well. My cousin's genealogical search shows some African-Americans that I believe is also true. I'll have to get the test someday to see for sure.
Had a similar experience in my family, but it turns out that having Neandertal bloodline is even more heritage exciting than Native or Meso-American lineage. You may very well check that block, Gary.
The history of four terrorist organizations in the Balkan and a general introduction to terrorism and freedom fighting. Also includes essays about religious co-existence in the Balkan and about pathological narcissism as a precursor to terrorism.
DNA proved my own best estimate, Viking predominant....
and, nicely proved that the ancestors I had found using everything available from my teens forward, LDS heritage center materials, everything I could locate reading books from local library, etc...
I do share DNA with my found relatives, and Ancestry has provided so many, at fingertip discovery,
I too was told by both parents that there was Native American in the line, and while I didn't have a bit show up on the test; realize that at best my own kinship would be about 1/128 or less, and wonder whether that little would show up on the test, 1/32 even if proved may or may not qualify for CDIB card, and I have less than that
Enjoyed reading your article
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It was also interesting in recent emails and my sister, that she thought we were English, because of our name. I was told by my grandmother that we had Scotch, Irish, and French (Alsace-Lorraine) heritage in small amounts and our English name has come down very well. My cousin's genealogical search shows some African-Americans that I believe is also true. I'll have to get the test someday to see for sure.
Ron