When DNA Surprises You

This is going to be a personal post that may just resonate with others who have had a DNA test or are considering it.

I had my Mito DNA done about 7 years ago. It showed that I am a C1 which is Native American. This was interesting from a genealogy perspective since it proved that my ancestress Francoise Olivier was at least partially Native American. 

What I wasn't prepared to feel was the loss of my European ethnicity. I know I am 99% European and yet my Mito said I was a Native American. It was emotionally disturbing. It made me question what I think I know about myself. 

I got over it but now I have had Autosomal DNA done and I am making connections with others who share DNA with me. My Irish ancestors that I know are from Kerry and Laois, this is proven. However, so far I have connected with two people at 4th cousin who are from Cavan. I have to try to figure out which of my ancestors could possibly have been from Cavan. 

What is really amazing is that I am going to Cavan in September and we are spending our 4th night in the town of Virginia Cavan where one of the people I am connected with has her roots. How strange is that? 

I am now thinking that it most likely must be Johanna O'Connor who is from Cavan. I think I will have to look for more connection who match me on the O'Connor line and see if I find more Cavan ancestors. Since two of my good friends have Cavan roots I am not unhappy to perhaps be a Cavan girl. 

What I am trying to tell you is be open to hearing what your DNA is going to tell you It may not be what you want to hear but as far as I know, DNA doesn't lie!!

Autosomal DNA and the Genealogist

If you have seen Who Do You Think You Are you have seen what you can learn from Autosomal DNA testing. What comes to mind is Vanessa Williams and the fact that she has Italian DNA.

The genes that are tested are not the same ones that are used in other tests but if you are curious about what your ethnic makeup is, this test can give you a lot of information. One thing that is curious in this test is that siblings may be quite different in their results. My brothers and I certainly are. They are much more Irish than me and I am more Northern European.

I am not sure if I understand it correctly but to my way of thinking it is how your actual ethnicity plays out in you. I have brown hair and brown eyes and my brothers have blue eyes and dark blond hair. We obviously did not get all the same genetic makeup.

There are several different companies who offer this test and they will also tell you who among their database is related to you and an estimate of the degree of relationship. If you are looking for family connection this can be a big help.

I did this more for the entertainment value and it definitely has provided that. If you have always wondered if you really have Native American blood or if those stories in your family are true, this is one way you may be able to answer those questions. 

But having said that, my Mito is Native American and the only thing remotely odd in my Autosomal DNA is less than 1 percent Finnish /Western Russian. My brother has the Caucasus so I am not quite sure what to make of that. He also has Greek and Italian which is missing from me.