Ancestry DNA Test Results Update (1 Viewer)

[ucla1967]

Several months ago, I had an Ancestry DNA test performed in which I was very disappointed with the results. Those results found that my DNA was 51% Southern European (Italian), but only 5% Western European (which includes Germany). I found that to be almost impossible since I am also half German and can trace my German ancestors back in unbroken lines to the early 1600s. The first results also indicated that my next highest DNA match was Great Britain at 19% and then Eastern Europe at 14%. Both of which were news to me.

The new updated results are more country specific whereas the first results were more regional (e.g., Southern Europe, Western Europe, etc.) and they are much more accurate. I am now 39% Italian with a range of 38-39% and 37% German Europe with a range of 35-37%. The 19% Great Britain and 14% Eastern European DNA has disappeared from my profile in this update. What is surprising is that in less than six months the results could be so changed, albeit for the better. The other DNA matches were 11% Greece/Balkans with a range of 0 to 12%, France 10% with a range of 0 to 10%, Turkey/Caucasus 2% with a range of 0 to 2%, and Iran/Persia 1% with a range of 0 to 2%. I really don't have much faith in those four since they all could be zero percent which I believe to be true.

The bottom line is that I now would recommend taking an Ancestry DNA test, if you interested in this sort of a thing, since they seem to be a lot more accurate than just earlier in the year.

 

[marco55]

Mine changed a lot also Mike.They will get better and better with better technology.
Mark

 

[jazzeum]

I’m curious Mike as to why you would take a test if you know you were half Italian and half German.

 

[marco55]

Not speaking for Mike I just wanted to know as I was curious about my origins.I was surprised that it originally stated that I was 2% Iberian,11% Greek/Italian,2% Caucasus and 1% Middle Eastern.Now it seems more accurate at 60% England,Wales and NW Europe,26% Ireland & Scotland,11% Germanic and 3% Norwegian.Besides it's a fun thing to find out.
Mark

 

[ucla1967]

I’m curious Mike as to why you would take a test if you know you were half Italian and half German.

That's a good question Brad. There were a couple of reasons. I can only trace my Italian ancestry back three generations to great grandparents while my German ancestry can be traced back for nine or ten generations. I was curious about my last name which means someone who comes from the city of Taranto in Apulia (the heel of the Italian peninsula). In Roman times Taranto was called Tarentum, but more interesting before that it was settled by Greeks from Sparta and was called Taras. This was the period when southern Italy and Sicily were known as Magna Grecia and had been settled by various Greek city states.

I wondered if I might have some Hellenic Greek DNA based on that Spartan connection. It turns out that Taras was actually settled by Spartan bastards who were born in Sparta when the men were off fighting various wars. As a result, they were not exactly accepted in Sparta and ultimately left to establish Taras. Unfortunately for them, they supported Carthage during the Punic Wars and following Rome's defeat of Carthage, the Romans sacked Taras and killed every man, woman, and child except for those that they took as slaves. So much for any Hellenic Greek connection.

In addition to my Ancestry DNA test, I also had my wife, Jean, and granddaughter, Chloe, take one. Chloe's mother was adopted and she doesn't know who her parents are. I figured that we could at least get a handle on the DNA origins of her other, unknown grandparents if Jean and I had ours.

 

[Combat]

If you get a chance read: "A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived" by Adam Rutherford. Some interesting insights on what DNA can and can't do. One example is that "[e]veryone alive in the tenth century who left descendants is the ancestor of every living European today..." He also address the usefulness of these DNA tests: "It's important to remember that the commercial DNA ancestry tests don't necessarily show your geographical origins in the past. They show with whom you have common ancestors today." "Where geographically they emerge is virtually impossible to work out, because of the constant flux and movement of people around the world."

"You are of royal descent, because everyone is. You are of Viking descent, because everyone is. You are of Saracan, Roman, Goth, Hun, Jewish descent, because, well, you get the idea."

 

[ucla1967]

If you get a chance read: "A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived" by Adam Rutherford. Some interesting insights on what DNA can and can't do. One example is that "[e]veryone alive in the tenth century who left descendants is the ancestor of every living European today..." He also address the usefulness of these DNA tests: "It's important to remember that the commercial DNA ancestry tests don't necessarily show your geographical origins in the past. They show with whom you have common ancestors today." "Where geographically they emerge is virtually impossible to work out, because of the constant flux and movement of people around the world."

"You are of royal descent, because everyone is. You are of Viking descent, because everyone is. You are of Saracan, Roman, Goth, Hun, Jewish descent, because, well, you get the idea."

Thanks for the suggestion. I will read it, it sounds very interesting.

 

[ucla1967]

Just a quick clarification: I did not have second Ancestry DNA test performed. The update was based on the first and only test results from about six months ago.

 

[marco55]

Just a quick clarification: I did not have second Ancestry DNA test performed. The update was based on the first and only test results from about six months ago.

Me also.They said there will be updates now and then as technology gets better and they learn more.
Mark

 

[Deitz]

Me also.They said there will be updates now and then as technology gets better and they learn more.
Mark

Same here

 

[ucla1967]

A few days ago there was another cold case serial rapist caught in northern California using the familial connection rather than his own DNA. Pretty interesting and impressive that they can find you even if you didn't take a DNA test, but one of your relatives did.