A DNA Birthday Gift - Part Two

Some of you may have seen my blog post, A DNA Birthday Gift - Part One, a couple months back when I first started this new journey with my ancestry. I sent off my DNA to Ancestry.com and had no idea what to expect and was frankly a little nervous. While most of us have a good idea of what our family tree may look like, the discovery of where it all comes from through DNA testing is quite a different experience. And what an experience it was!When you get your results back, Ancestry.com gives you two sets of information on your DNA homepage.

First, an Ethnicity Estimate Review where you get the breakdown in percentages and a map highlighting where they believe your DNA comes from. Ancestry.com says,

“We create estimates for your genetic ethnicity by comparing your DNA to the DNA of other people who are native to a region.”

According to their information I am:

Now I knew my father’s birth mother’s family was from the Czech Republic and my mother’s family was from Germany and England but the Irish, Scandinavian and Middle Eastern results were the most surprising to me since I had no idea! Since those are the smaller percentages I’m guessing they could go far back into my family tree.

The other is a section with your Matches. This section lists possible matches through your DNA test as well as your family tree, worldwide. This is also where my mind starts to be blown. It has linked me, with 98% confidence, to one 3rd or 4th cousin that I can link to my mother’s side of her family in Pennsylvania. Then a list of about 50 people who could be my 4th, 5th or 6th cousins. But that’s not all! Then I have 190 pages of possible distant cousins. A random selection on one person’s profile lists them in South Africa - mind blown!

In my Part One post, I shared that my father was adopted and had his birth mother’s name but never found his father. That leaves a lot open to which results are from who in my DNA story. But wow, this experience was absolutely fascinating. I have no idea how I will go through the 190 pages of 3rd, 4th or 10th cousins once removed, but I know when I do it will be informative. In the future, other possible unknown family members who want to participate in Ancestry.com’s DNA registry will be able to connect with me and that right there is mind blowingly exciting! I highly recommend this if you are interested in learning more about where you are from!

Since mailing off my DNA and receiving my results, my uncle unexpectedly passed away. He was an extremely caring person who sacrificed so much for his family. While I never forget about how important family is, the last few months of searching into my past has made me even more grateful for each one of my family members. Tell them you love them today.

XO, julie