The Times wants your views: DNA ethnicity results

[Tees]

I think it is brilliant to find out where our genes originally were from. Especially that our Islands have seen many different waves of various peoples who came and settled. Many of these origins were keep in the mist of times as we do not really know how much about our ancestors. With the DNA tests, it would enhance our understanding of the early migrations along with later invasions of  Romans, Vikings and Anglo-Saxons, etc. Also, these tests will enable us to narrow and pinpoint common ancestors with same surname to identify specific region that reflect the make-up of ethnicity. It will boost more people's interest in genealogy and Rootschat where many of us get a lot of help with tracing our family tree. The only negativity of doing DNA test is that it is too expensive for many people. I myself would like to find out more about my family's origins especially my maternal great-great grandparents and paternal great great grandparents as we only know that they came over from Ireland during the Famine. Like someone said here, most families that does not emigrated usually know where they came from. That is the case with most of my ancestors. But, it does not really guarantee that you do know your origins because of the mobility that we human beings always do throughout the ages. For instance, my paternal grandfather was born in England yet he ended up in Northern Ireland and had family there. And I myself was born in England to his son who was from Northern Ireland and his wife from America. Does that mean we really know our origins completely? No, only on the surface.

[pinefamily]

I wouldn't have bothered to post on this topic but I was asked to. So . . . 
alanmack

I think we were ALL asked to comment....

At least it's made for an interesting debate!

[bugbear]

I find it interesting that many people in this thread are already so certain of their ancestry, from their research.

Of course, some trees are better researched than others (we've all seen the threads on "ancestry" trees... 

However, even the best, "gold standard" research, even with 3 (or even more) pieces of primary
documentation for each fact, is only, can only be, based on what was written down at the time.

DNA testing offers at least the possibility of a truly primary source.

The case of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings wouldn't ever have been resolved historical documents.

 BugBear

[plimmerian]

I would like a DNA test for family history purposes but the price to have it done is too high. I feel if having the test contributes to a DNA database they surely we should be paid for donating to the project and providing the samples to be processed!

Just my view!

  

[Skoosh]

Trystan, my own test was with FTdna eight years ago & paid for by some kind folks in the States on a one-name study.  The result was a bit of a surprise as I discovered I belonged to the "Niall of the Nine Hostages" group & with no Irish ancestors that I know of, it must have been in the dim & distant Dalriadan connection to Scotland or an ancestress was getting free coal from an Emerald Isle coalman. 

I get regular notifications from FTdna on newly discovered relations but it might as well be extracts from a telephone directory for all that it's advanced my own tree.  It's been interesting but pretty fruitless and I certainly wouldn't have shelled out the cash for it myself so I don't think I can be of any assistance to the Times in this matter. "Niall of the Nine Sausages" might have been more interesting.

The problem lies with Americans who are keen to find a link back to the old country and resort to DNA testing as the paper-chase has run out and that they're finding connections to other Americans on the same quest but not back to the old country as there isn't the interest this side of the pond. 

Bests,

Skoosh.

[pinefamily]

There was a test case done recently, to show the accuracy (or lack of) of these ethnicity DNA tests. The same person got fairly different results from the different companies. I will see if I can find it and post a link.

[KGarrad]

I find it interesting that many people in this thread are already so certain of their ancestry, from their research.

Of course, some trees are better researched than others (we've all seen the threads on "ancestry" trees... 

However, even the best, "gold standard" research, even with 3 (or even more) pieces of primary
documentation for each fact, is only, can only be, based on what was written down at the time.

DNA testing offers at least the possibility of a truly primary source.

The case of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings wouldn't ever have been resolved historical documents.

 BugBear

This is where you and I have to disagree!

DNA testing is still, IMHO, largely a Marketing excercise, and not what I consider a Primary Source.

[Beeonthebay]

I have a mild interest but don't really understand much about it.  Does it give an accurate country like say France or Japan or does it just say Europe and the Far East?

I know someone though I'm not sure if she's in the USA or Canada but she was born in England to a US servicemen never knowing who he was and she's been successful in finding his family.

I'm not sure if it would work the other way around though as people here in the UK don't really seem to go for it and I understand not many people have taken the test, in fact nobody I know IRL has ever mentioned taking it.  That could be because of the cost and for those of us genealogists who could have an interest, what with our subscriptions and having to pay £9.25 per certificate and £10 a will, the budget is tight for many of us.

Or maybe it's just because we don't feel a deep need?

[Parmesan]

I've been tempted by taking the DNA test but really I don't think it would tell me anything new. I'm pretty much white European, stretching no further than England, Eire, Wales and Belgium back to the early 1600s and beyond.

I'm not convinced of it's accuracy (different results from different companies) and if I did it, it would be for 'fun'.

May do it, even yet!