Genealogy is a funny thing. Even with an archaeologist in the family, (seriously), you can come across some gaps in the family lineage. So, a couple of months ago, I finally decided to do something about it.
I had thought about having my DNA tested for a long time. Now, I knew that English and Irish heritage already played a good part in my history, but I wondered about the hidden parts. My mom's family history had some gaps, and I wanted to know more. I sent off a DNA sample to Family Tree DNA with an autosomal DNA test as well as my mom's DNA, the mitochondrial DNA, that went back about eight generations.
I was pleasantly surprised.
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| James Claude, my paternal great-grandfather |
My Dad's DNA yielded what I knew to be true. Mostly British Isles, including Ireland, England, Scotland, and the Orkney Islands, which lends a bit of heritage toward the
Picts. Yes! As well as a bit of Middle Eastern thrown in the mix. Surprise!
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| James Claude, again, with his wife, Fannie, and two of their children. This photo of James Claude, with the mustache, I think resembles my father in his younger mustache days. My dad has those ears! |
My Mom's DNA proved to be a little more interesting.
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| My paternal great-grandmother, Tamar, and great-grandfather Jim, with children Beatrice, seated, and Ora, as a baby. Longevity is a hallmark of this line, with the women living well into their nineties. |
Her information told of German, Belgian and French influences, as well as a healthy dose of Irish blood in the mix. Oh, and a bit of Finnish in there as well.
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| My maternal great-grandfather, Lucas, with my great-grandmother, Anna Lee. Anna is pregnant, in this photo, with my grandmother, Dorothy Bird. In her later years, known simply as Bird. She would be their only daughter. Both Anna, and her daughter, Bird, lived to be in their nineties. I remember visiting Anna, when I was a child. |
The Irish was expected and I knew of a French trapper ancestor, but the German, Belgian, and Finnish DNA was a fun surprise.
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| Bird, as a young woman. She told me that she always disliked this photo, as the dress was too big. Hence, no smile. |
This put my mitochondiral DNA sample into the
K Haplogroup. Interesting, to say the least, and a bit unexpected for this Appalachian area.
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| Bird's husband, my maternal grandfather, Henry Edward. It was mentioned that, in his early days, he possibly ran a little 'shine on the back roads. |
So, where does this leave me? Somewhat satisfied, with a yearning to know more. Family Tree DNA allows members to work out their family trees and link up with others, as well as participate in family surname projects.
Possibly a project for this summer.
Have any of you had your DNA tested?
