By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
Tweet this: Exploring Your Ancestry
Have you ever been curious about your ancestors? Ever wonder about what ethnicity flows predominantly through your veins? Many people have ideas about where they came from through family stories and documents, and these are exciting. But I wanted to know 
who went before me and from what country.
The curiosity needled me. When would I ever have time to conduct a genealogy search?
Where would I begin?
Oh, why bother.
Then one of my friends told me about using a DNA test through www.ancestry.com to learn her ethnicity.
Within two months, another friend revealed her ethnicity by using the same DNA testing.
I gave in. The website explained the process. After payment, they’d send me an easy test to use with saliva. (That part sounded gross). But actually it was simple.
Then I waited the six weeks.
At times I forgot about it.
When I least expected it, the results soared into my e-mail inbox! Ethnicity estimate for DiAnn Mills. I laughed while excitement settled like reaching the top of a mountain peak.
The what-ifs tossed psychological stones at me. The e-mail could be informing me that the test was inclusive. Or I made a mistake when taking the test. Or the findings were . . . I was related to a serial killer from a remote island that no one had ever heard of.
With a deep breath, I clicked on the message. Wow, I was thrilled with the findings.
76% Great Britain
8% Irish
6% European West
9% Trace
The site furnished a map and offered graphs and helpful information. It also gave me a list of possible first, second, and third cousins.
I’m still not sure when I’ll do a genealogy trace, but I do have my roots.
What about you? Do you know your ethnicity?
Tweet this: Exploring Your Ancestry
Comments 28
My blog post today at janetkbrown.com gives poems from my great aunt. I often wondered if my gifting or interest in writing started with some far-off ancestor. When my mother passed away, I slowly went through boxes of old stuff & found 2 books of poems from my grandmother’s sister. Neat find!
My nephew gave me a 6 mo membership to Ancestry.com the Christmas before last. Much of what I learned was based on links built by others. My father was born in Northern Ireland and got back about 6 generations there. My Mom’s Mother’s parents came from Germany in late 1800’s – I knew that but found a shipping record & some confusing info – didn’t get back any further there + documents were in German. I knew my Mom’s family went back to the 1600’s when one came to Maine from England as a minister – that was well documented – someone even wrote a book in the late 1800’s. But I found out I have an ancestor who fought in the Revolutionary War (so I can get into the DAR) & he was Dutch here in NJ – I had no clue. I’ve always been very interested in that period – maybe that’s why.Also one was a Governor of the Plymouth Colony (came over on the boat after the Mayflower – lol). And if the other who built trees are correct it goes back 30+ generations & perhaps connect to early British royalty (tho I’m not convinced – something looked questionable when I tried to check out some names & their children). I got consumed with the search as my subscription ended – I needed to take a break from it, but I’d love to get back to it again & do that DNA test – now I’m curious if it would show me any ‘cousins’. And someone else may have added more info by then.
Hi Diane, I’m envious of your research and what you’ve learned. Such fun – and there’s always more.
I’ve research my ancestry off and on for many years. I was lucky enough to have a letter from my great grandmother that tells about her life as a German living in Russia in the late 1800’s and traveling to America by buggy, steamship, train, and buggy again, until they arrived in Oklahoma. I’ve been able to find a picture of the ship and copy of her papers when entering America. On the other side, I’m Irish…..and came from NC, Tenn, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Love doing the research and cheer each time I find something new.
Hi Brenda, how interesting. I hope to find the time to explore more of my ancestry.
I did the ancestry test a few years back to see if I could find any family in which I might be related. After waiting, I got my answer. Nothing direct, no leaves on my tree. 🙁
But you’re on God’s tree!
I know I am part indian and part irish/german
Hi Sheila, Oh, my! I wouldn’t want to make you angry!
My story is different. Research has shown that my maternal came right out of slavery in the Caribbean, so my roots are from somewhere in the continent of Africa. It is not a happy story but for God’s grace. It is interesting that I am writing this because, the family is presently in mourning as we plan to say our last good bye to my good mother who passed away this past Saturday.
Some corrections: I meant to say my maternal grandmother.
Frances, Isn’t it wonderful to know we are all different but alike in God’s eyes? So sorry about your mother.
Cool! I’ve done the same test. It really is fascinating to see where your roots stretch to. I took the test to learn more about my maternal side of the family, since I already knew the paternal side could be traced to 1300s Britian.
That means we could have been neighbors – back in Great Britain.
Dad just did this. Some we expected another not so much. He just did the basic DNA test. Is doing a more in depth on for mom’s side of family. On Paternal side I have 42%British Isles, 36% Scandinavian, and 22 W. Europe. Scandinavian is what surprised us and that there was no native american blood there.
Hi Alisha, I had a few surprises too! I expected more Irish than the 8% – but it was a fun revelation.
I have actually been researching my family tree for quite a number of years. I have British, German and American ancestry. That I know of. My research is still on going. I have heard about the dna test. But prefer to do the actual paperwork side of it and find out how each individual person lived and who they were. I’ve just recently purchased my Uncles death certificate from 1944 and found out he died of meningitis. I knew he died aged just a few months. But not what of.
I hope to have the time soon to dig into more study about ancestors. Just need time!
My grandmother immigrated with her family in 1898. Three years later they moved to Alabama. Two of my great grandmothers were 100% Indian. Word of Mouth we have Irish & Scottish. I know that Choctaw, a lot of Cherokee and maybe a little Creek. Not positive on the Creek.
Suggestion to your readers, find out all the information that you can from the oldest living members of your family. It will help in ancestry research.
DiAnn hit on what I’ve been thinking about, DNA ancestry test for my husband and myself. That way our children & grandchildren will know more about their unique DNA. In the 4 grandchildren (from other sides of the family) are Chinese, Dutch, Black Dutch (look like Italians), Russian, Jewish, Lebanese, and that’s just what I remember.
We are all in Jesus – and thank goodness!
I smiled as I saw your topic for today, DiAnn, because just last night I was thinking about this very thing! Even though I already have a little information (shared by a cousin who did some research several years ago) I’m eager to learn more. You’ve inspired me—thank you. 🙂
Patti Jo, let me know what you learn!
I only know from stories and what research some other members of the family did. I am mostly English with western European thrown in and maybe wa a a y back some Native American. I’m considering trying to use ancestry .com but don’t have the cash to fork over right now. My best search is that I’m 100% God’s child and that’s good enough for me. A great way to look at my roots.
And that preaches!
My ancestors come from Scotland and England.
We could have been neighbors!
I am German (plus a bunch of others) on both sides. From Bavaria.
Isn’t it fun to know – and imagine someone looking like you?