So this is not really a funny post, but certainly is more light-hearted than what I have been posting about of late.
This week Ancestry.com updated their analysis of my DNA and my origins. For long-time readers, you know I find fascinating how this aligns with my decade-plus of paper record research. So I figured I would chart the changes, especially as Ancestry touted their new analysis to include more regions and reworking their panels, which determine how your DNA fits into the various regions.
So what changed?
Turns out, not much.
I already know that my ancestry is largely Irish—roughly 2/3—followed by Carpatho–Rusyn at 1/4 and then English from the colonial period settling New England with Puritan stock. That does not mean there are not a few questions as there is one woman who is likely or at probably of Dutch descent, but was born in early 19th-century New York when vital records were not yet a thing. Finding her family’s origins may be an impossible challenge.
Beyond that, I know I think all my 4 × if not 5 × great-grandparents. Like I said, I have been doing this a long time now. And generally speaking, finding any DNA evidence of a full-blooded person from a region is nigh impossible beyond 6 or 7 generations because of recombination.
What is new in this year’s edition is the further breakdown of Irish regions. And so maybe I should save that for my annual St. Patrick’s Day post—I normally do. But I would be curious how much of those origins align with the scant paper trail evidence I have of the origins of my immigrant ancestors.
Stay tuned for something in a few months I guess?
Regardless, I know I am not the only person checking these Ancestry DNA updates out. Last night I was walking out of a Target and on my way across the parking lot I passed a young couple in mid-conversation. “…and I’m very much more Irish now. Apparently, according to Ancestry, I’m…” the woman was explaining to the guy.
Credit for the piece is mine.