Bneighbor

I have no desire to have my DNA deposited into some company that can give access to who-know who, if someone wanted the information. I know my family "story" and am fine with that. Heck, I wish some of my family belonged to some other family.
I have family I have not seen or had contact with for decades. My sister has been in contact with cousins and keeps pushing me to "friend" them. Well I am "family" and they knew where I live and have not contacted me, so "friending" won't change anything. I have two half-sisters that I would not know if they walked up to me. I have nothing in common with them , except for blood...I have no interest in connecting now.
BTW, there is no confidentiality protection from these DNA places. These are not considered medical facilities and HIPPA laws do not pertain to them.

Jan in VA

My goodness, you seem to have very strong feelings about this. How nice that you have the option NOT to do it, or even to want to do it. But, as you may have read, DNA has nothing to do with "your family" -- it's not genealogy. There are never any names mentioned; you'll never find out that you were related to Jack the Ripper or Benedict Arnold, the traitor, , for instance.

But, if you're not curious, then you're not curious. Some of us need to feel very safe....more so than others of us. That's okay.

Jan in VA

Anniedeb

Nancy, I'm similar to you! I am the only one in my family interested enough in our "secrets" to do the work, and love visiting the graves of long deceased relatives. I have found answers to questions long whispered about, and dispelled rumors that just weren't true. I feel like I can give a voice to those who didn't have their story told. My biggest problem is finding time to do both quilting and genealogy!

Irishrose2

My granddaughter had hers done and it was so far off what we know to be true that I don't trust any. I will ask which company she used.

bearisgray

It would seem odd to me for identical twins to have different results - if that has happened.

I would also expect siblings with the same parents to have the same results.

I do not know how the results are categorized - maybe the companies tell their customers that?

Also - humanoids have been known to travel and relocate - sometimes willingly - sometimes not.

I am basing a lot of my thinking on the Jean M. Auel series that started with The Clan of the Cave Bear.

I do think it is a fascinating topic.

I consider myself to be a North American - but as I looked around the Asian restaurant that we went to last night - "North American" could be almost anything.

Jan in VA

"what we know to be true" is NOT what is covered in these DNA tests.


I'm sorry that I started this thread because it seems to have caused a lot of confusion and, yes, maybe even friction on the Board.

DNA tests tell you where your GENES came from hundreds, even thousands of years ago. I doubt very, very much that 99% of us know this information with certainty.


Bear, twins who are not identical and siblings from same parents CAN have different DNA because their parents have differing DNA....they will get some from mom, some from dad, etc. etc. I have one daughter who is more Irish/Scandinavian/western Europe and the other is more Scot/Scandinavian/western Europe. Yet you could also say we are all Viking as that area is the common genetic pool between us. (Perhaps explains the red hair, pale skin, strong personalities, and temper in the family that we "know"!)

The results of these DNA tests come back with REGIONAL associations, not necessarily country associations. E.g. Great Britain instead of "England"; Western Europe instead "France" or "Austria"; Mediterranean instead of "Sicily" or "Italy", etc., etc.

You may know (or believe) you had recent (as in the past 300 years) ancestors who "came from Italy," but may discover those ancestors' ancestors came from Northern Africa or Eastern Asia, intermarrying (and, yes, being sperm donors) along the way. There is just no way any of us can really know from whence we came 800, 1000, 1500+ years ago without DNA studies. Even American Indian and Australian Aboriginal populations "came" from somewhere else. Since the beginning of humans, people were incredibly mobile and they interacted, mixed it up, with other populations creating the glorious amalgam of ancestries we know today....through DNA studies.

I find it fascinating, the story of us. But I'm truly sorry I've yanked some chains here. If it doesn't interest you, or you fear "being tracked", by all means, don't bother with it!

Jan in VA

Chasing Hawk

Maw,

There is no need to be sorry, A healthy debate and difference of opinions is a good thing. It creates a dialog for us to get to know each other just a bit more. So keep up you fascinating topics, I for one enjoy them.

Chase

Irishrose2

Jan, no reason to be sorry you started this. It's a very interesting topic - just one I don't have time to study further right now. I just found it odd that my granddaughter, whose paternal grandmother had two parents from Ireland and whose maternal grandmother (me) had two grandparents from Ireland showed no Celtic blood. Yes, I am red haired, very fair skinned and was short tempered - not so much any more.

nativetexan

I've got some Irish in me if that helps!!

Anniedeb

Do not be sorry Jan! I love this thread. As I stated before, I had mine done. I was thrilled to look at the percentages, and read about all the possibilities it provided. I am one of nine....some of us are images of dad..fair, freckled, and tall. Others favor mom..short and dark. My profile was quite a bit different from my brothers. I expected that, because as you said, it's 50% from mother/50% from father. But no one gets the same 50%! It's a fascinating area to explore. I've "found" 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th cousins. Through their information, I have been able to fill in some gaps, and answer some questions. It is not for everyone. Some seem uncomfortable with it, while others embrace. It's what makes us all unique!