My DNA journey began on 2007 September 29, when I ordered a test kit from Family Tree DNA. This was in the early days of DNA being used by the genealogy folks, and I anxiously awaited the test results. Finally the packet arrived from FTDNA. I had hoped for great insights and new information. I probably still have that original packet filed away someplace. Where I thought I would find new insights and genealogy clues, there were only hunks of letters. ACTG. I had no idea what this onslaught of letters meant. My eyes glazed over. Then there were sheets of paper describing the DNA migration, which was interesting, but of little help to me with my then current level of knowledge and understanding.
The packet also included my ethenicity background. Not the revelations for which I awaited. I knew about the English (Irish and Scots), French and German. Even the Scandinavian wasn’t a surprise, given the history of the English isles. I was looking for the verification of the old family story of the Indian heritage of my maternal great-great grandmother. The DNA packet came back with no indication of Indian heritage – no Cherokee, no Creek, no Chickasaw, no Choctaw DNA to be found. Even though the oral history was strong, at least in some of my great great grandmothers offspring, I put this line of research on the back burner of active research – but kept alive, to some extent, by the stories told by my mother, aunts, and grandmother.
For the next decade, I continued to get “You Have a New Relative” notices from FTDNA. These were all from mtDNA sample that I submitted. These too made my eyes glaze over. None of the names were known to me. A great many names were Scandinavian. I had no idea what to make of the barrage of apparent relatives. Notices came, quickly reviewed, at least for a while, and soon forgotten. As time went on, I found that I checked “notices” only sporadically. Making a quick review of what had come in during the last 3 to 6 months.
During this same time period, I also received boxes of letters written by my father’s oldest brother, who was next to the oldest in the family. He chronicled his memories and stories of his family when he was growing up in Wisconsin, Minnesota and California – and even of adult happenings in California and Oregon. He also gave me an "everyman" view of the 1980s. As I checked out his stories, I found that he was remarkably accurate, so his letters were transcribed and became my third book. A history for family members and one of my research tools.
After the book was finished, I started tracking down a diary that was kept by my paternal great great grandfather. Two years later, after many emails and “cold calls” to potential family members, I finally connected with a 2nd cousin, once removed, who lived in Wisconsin. We both shared lineage from our Scots McPherson ancestor, a great great grandfather. Another year was spent figuring out how to get a copy of the diary. Finally, in 2010, I made a trip to Wisconsin and met with a group of “cousins” to share photographs, letters, and the diary. We spent 3 days, telling family stories, as well as, photographing and copying our trove of treasures. Each of us came away with the conglomerate of photos, letters, and a photographed copy of the diary.
What does this mean for my DNA journey? I was diving headlong into my paternal genealogy and my mtDNA was not useful. I needed the Y-DNA, which is passed down from father to son, ad infinitum. My father had died when I was a teenager, so I only had my two brothers who carried his Y-DNA. One brother absolutely refused. However the older of the two graciously provided his DNA which was submitted to FTDNA and included in the McPherson/MacPherson project. When we joined this genealogy project in January 2018 , there were not quite 300 members. Now just three years later, the project membership has grown to 523. Not a huge data base, but growing.
Although the results of my
brother’s
DNA did not open as may doors as I had hoped, I know that as the data
base keeps growing and our store of DNA knowledge keeps expanding
more doors get opened. Every time I get a notice about a new Y-DNA
relative, I give thanks to my brother, as my knowledge of physical and historical family ties, history of the British isles , and the world
expands, via the opening of the new vistas provided by DNA research.
~ ~ ~
© Joan G. Hill, Roots'n'Leaves Publications
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