My mom recently decided to order an Ancestry DNA test. She has spent the past 35 years or so researching family history, and she has a pretty good knowledge of where her ancestors lived. Still, she was curious to see what she would learn from the test.
Two exciting results came: 1. She found a 3rd cousin, with whom she was able to share information. 2. Her results declared her ancestry 92% British Isles, 6% Eastern European, and 2% uncertain.
Many of my ancestors came to the United States even before it was an independent nation. I don't know of any ancestry other than British Isles from my dad's side. I think if I were to take the Ancestry DNA test, my results would probably show a greater than 95% British Isles makeup. I told my mom it appears our family skipped out on the whole "melting pot" idea.
Growing up, I always viewed my family as fairly stationary. Neither of my parents moved much while growing up, and my grandparents stayed in my parents' childhood homes for many years. However, as I've researched more of my extended family's history, I've come to realize just how many different places in the United States they have lived, met, married, or died. I decided to create a visual representation:
I suspect I'm actually missing some; it seems to me that West Virginia, New Hampshire, and perhaps Maine should be highlighted, but these are the states I could find with a quick perusal of my extended family tree. Update: Thanks to my Mom, who informed me of some of the states I was missing, I have updated the map. Maine and New Hampshire are still missing, along with Delaware, New Jersey, South Dakota, New Mexico, Hawaii, and possibly Alaska.
Thanks for the melting pot this nation is, even if my ancestors didn't really "melt" well.
Two exciting results came: 1. She found a 3rd cousin, with whom she was able to share information. 2. Her results declared her ancestry 92% British Isles, 6% Eastern European, and 2% uncertain.
Many of my ancestors came to the United States even before it was an independent nation. I don't know of any ancestry other than British Isles from my dad's side. I think if I were to take the Ancestry DNA test, my results would probably show a greater than 95% British Isles makeup. I told my mom it appears our family skipped out on the whole "melting pot" idea.
Growing up, I always viewed my family as fairly stationary. Neither of my parents moved much while growing up, and my grandparents stayed in my parents' childhood homes for many years. However, as I've researched more of my extended family's history, I've come to realize just how many different places in the United States they have lived, met, married, or died. I decided to create a visual representation:
Have you seen the RVs with the maps on the back, where the owners mark in which states they have traveled? Well, this map represents the travels of my extended family--pretty amazing for a family that I thought stayed put.
How about your family? Where did they come from?
Thanks for the melting pot this nation is, even if my ancestors didn't really "melt" well.
Just amazing! The whole map is almost blue! wow- a third cousin... wonder how many I have?... My Father side came from Spain and my Mothers side Mexico but they both were born in the US of A!!
ReplyDeleteNeat map idea! I didn't know you could get an ancestry DNA test done. Wow!
ReplyDeleteSo interesting! When I was growing up, if a teacher asked what nationality our family was, I would answer, "I'm half Canadian," since I knew my mom was born in Halifax. Now I know we are mostly German. I don't know what our map would look like, but Hawaii and Alaska would be filled in. Two siblings have lived there.
ReplyDeleteI was always very curious about the history of my family and how far back it's traceable. I never did so, because it's very hard to get in to archives over here. And I have to much hobbies as it is ;-D
ReplyDeleteBut very cool to see your family has been moving all over the US.
Do you know the tv series "Who do you think you are?" ?? It's a british series where they let famous persons search their family history. Very impressive and interesting to watch.
How far back have you traced your family??
Over 20 years I've done mine.We are Irish and Scottish and Wales, a mix of something we think indian,hadn't figured it out YET.We we migrate farmers and always moving around but usually only the southern states.Yours' look like it was a huge family.
ReplyDeleteWow, that is really interesting! I always wanted to do some ancestry research, too! It is still in my life list! (TALU)
ReplyDelete