The Times wants your views: DNA ethnicity results

[pinefamily]

I'm having trouble keeping up with this thread, between the time difference, and my working hours.
Somewhere earlier on this thread, I mentioned a study done comparing results from different companies. Here is the link. Very interesting reading.
http://www.jaunay.com/newsletter/newsletter119.html

[trystan]

Genetta,

What a wonderfully detailed post and it's your first one on RootsChat too. Welcome to RootsChat!

Trystan

[Jo Harding]

It has been interesting to read the views expressed in this post.

I have read about the current DNA tests available and decided that I wouldn't pursue these at the moment. I know I have English, Welsh, Scottish and Viking blood, so imagine the results of any DNA test for ethnicity would reveal quite a mix. In view of the population of the UK having been so diverse, so many invasions, immigration etc over centuries of time, I don't feel it is that worthwhile to go into great detail. This is my personal view though I can understand why people with little knowledge of their background might want to get a better knowledge of where they originate.

One DNA test I would like to have is something specific and relates to a possible link to Mendip Man.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheddar_Man

I have ancestors from that area going back to the dark ages and am aware that some local people have had DNA tests which indicate a match to that of Mendip Man. This is something I would like to pursue. It would let me know just how far back my ancestors in Somerset can be traced.

Jo.

[aspin]

Hi, like all things I believe it probably has a part to play. I myself if I had the money would more than likely take the test. I have been able to trace with evidence my family line back to circa 1779 but am now unable to go further. Possible DNA testing of the siblings of my ggggrandfather might help. Other than that my real desire would be for "Who do you think you are" to do a programme on my lineage!!

Regards,

John

John you hit the nail on the head this is how I would feel
If I were on  WDYTYA I maybe  able to help them as I seem to have a lot of families around when most of them 100 year or more ago had large families ..
Elizabeth

[jaywit]

My ancestors are from the same broad area as Genetta's ancestors.

The only thing I might find different is more from the Netherlands/Belgium/France area as they were weavers. Mind you I have traced some lines back to the 1600s and no sign of them not being South Midlands.

[brionne]

My reply is in general terms but firmly believe that D.N.A testing is a fantastic tool,used to learn and confirm a persons roots.
Being an older lady with quite distinctive early childhood memories,which have laid unconfirmed all my life,am desperate to go down this root,regardless of what this may unearth,good or bad.
My own long standing interest in family history confirms this,limited means has been the problem.
Believe that every person has an absolute right to know their own birth right.
Am currently investigating which reliable company to use.
Brionne

[majm]

I am in Australia. 

.....
Yes,  I am in New South Wales, Australia, born and raised here.  So too both my parents (and their siblings), all four of my grandparents (and their siblings,) all eight of my great grandparents (and their siblings), most of my great great's, many of my great great greats .... etc.   

I will make time to go through, check with some of my rellies and respond with more detail during today.

I have living ancestors who are elderly, alive, alert, and are of a certain age (one will be having a birthday later this month.  He was born in 1910, he won't join RChat, but he is known to read the threads !)   I have spoken with quite a few of my living ancestors during today.  So here's some of the shared thoughts.
1. DNA helped solve quite a few of the Fromelles Missing and so there's names on many of the headstones in the newest CWGC cemetery thanks to technology advances with DNA samples
2. DNA won't help at the present time in confirming if Peter and John are brothers or if Peter and John are Uncle and Nephew.  (Peter and John are of course  pseudonyms )  We know they are Uncle and Nephew because they know this to be so, although their birth certificates show that they are brothers.   John is nearly 20 years older than Peter.  Peter's Grandparents raised him.
3. DNA will help to confirm 'unique' heritage as it should 'stand out' but if the ancestors are long dead, then it is simply spending money on testing DNA instead of spending money on searching BDM registers. 
4. DNA advertising is typical of today's marketing campaigns .... Promises and promises and promises and then confuses 'per cent' with fractions and overlooks explaining they are comparing apples for oranges.   ("moves the goal posts without telling anyone and wonders why we all doubt their honesty" is how one relative put it.
5. DNA is of no interest, if I want to believe I am related to Uncle Fred, then I don't need any documents or reports.  I am simply related to Uncle Fred.  (Fred is actually her first cousin, but because Fred was already an adult with family when she was born, and most family called him "Uncle Fred" then she is simply being her usual contrary self !)
6. DNA will be a useful tool for genealogy particularly when it is able to read medical conditions that can be inherited.   
7. DNA can be used to help clone Mammoths,  be aware, one day someone will try to clone you.  We only want one of you at a time thanks.  One is enough !  (there was TV program in the past week about splicing some genetic material from the Woolly mammoth to the elephant)
http://www.popsci.com.au/science/woolly-mammoth-dna-successfully-spliced-into-elephant-cells,402050
and finally
may I please agree with Trystan

Genetta,

What a wonderfully detailed post and it's your first one on RootsChat too. Welcome to RootsChat!

Trystan

Cheers,  JM

[Magh Itha]

I have had over 40 people do Family Finder on FamilyTreeDNA if youu wish to contact me

[Ruskie]

I am late to this thread though I did start reading it last night, I was unable to finish reading all the posts until now.

I have taken a FTDNA "Family Finder" test.

My results were slightly surprising:
European 85%
   Scandanavia 37%
   British Isles 26%
   Eastern Europe 19%
   Finland and Northern Siberia 3%
Jewish / Ashkenazi Diaspora 11%
North East Asian 2%
Middle Eastern / North Africa 1%
Central Asian 1%

It is disappointing that the results don't show more specific regions of origin.

I have purchased FTDNA YDNA 67 marker tests for my father and husband. My husband has one of the most common names in the UK and has no useful matches (something like 4 matches at 12 markers  ). My father has many many matches but none of them useful - he has one match at 37 markers but there are no contact details for this person so we don't know if there is a traceable connection.

Interpreting the results is very difficult. I did read up on it and thought I had a grasp of it, but find myself quite lost and with little hope of ever fully understanding.

So basically an interesting but slightly frustrating exercise for each of us.