Ancestry.com DNA testing results review

My journey into my family tree began many years ago putting together a family tree for my wedding using Family Tree Maker - the disc version.

The basics of my DNA are that I’m half Italian and half Polish, my dad emigrating from Italy in 1952 and my great-great-grandfather from Poland in 1891.

Using the Liberty Ellis Foundation (previously EllisIsland.org) it seemed there was a question of Polish vs German vs German held Poland, since my great-great-grandfather listed Poland Ger on the US censuses over the years. Plus, there was the constant argument with my grandfather-in-law, who, every time he saw me claimed I was German. 

polcyn, john Sr 1900 census crop

Add to that my grandmother’s church-based adoption, aka no records available, and there are a lot of gaps in what my true heritage is.

So when Ancestry.com offered a DNA test, I was really excited to participate. I called my mom, letting her know, and she asked me every time I talked to her in between if my results had come in.

The results cleared up some questions, which of course lead to more. I am not German. And I am not 50 percent Italian (although with the blue eyes and platinum blonde hair no one really thought that!).

I am 53 percent Eastern European, Primarily located in: Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Russia, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Serbia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia.

There is 38 percent DNA from Italy/Greece; Also found in: France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Romania, Turkey, Slovenia, Algeria, Tunisia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, Kosovo

(Note the overlap in the Italian and Eastern European results.)

What was most interesting were the tidbits, leftover from generations back with 4 percent Irish heritage (I am Irish on St. Patrick's Day!) and 3 percent Scandinavian.

The true red-heads you see down my family tree, plus the blonde hair, blue eyes, pale complexions, are really explained in these results.

As for connecting with others who carry similar genetic markers, anyone who has submitted DNA is four to six generations removed. So far there are a couple familiar names on my maternal grandfather’s side that I can look into. But otherwise no earth-shattering news...yet.

If anything, this search has rekindled my desire to dig deeper into my family history, and offer my children a better glimpse into their past.

 

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