DNA v Genealogical Research

[stunor]

Hi, I have recently got my DNA findings; 54.5% Irish, Scottish, Welsh and 45.5% Scandinavian and no English. However, my own genealogical research proves that both my paternal and maternal ancestors were born and lived in England since the 1700's. So what does one make of the DNA findings?

 

[p.risboy]

When you consider what nationalities make up 'English', from many centuries ago.......your DNA is pretty much spot on. Angles, Jutes, Saxon, which is the greater part of Scandinavia.
To-ing and fro-ing between Ireland & Scotland, and Wales for thousands of years.
Draw a line from Chester to London.......the east of that line were mostly of Viking origin or a mix of. West of that line(excluding Wales), was pretty much Saxon.
Add a dash of Celts from the middle of Europe......and you about have it.
Waste of time mentioning the Romans....who were quite a soup of nationalities. Spanish, Egyptians, Greeks, Romanians.....etc etc etc.

///

 

[stunor]

Thank you for that response which echoes what the DNA people told me when I challenged it.
Still cannot believe that not 1% of my DNA is English with the heritage I have.
My wife's came back with 91% English, and my son has 47%, so English is a recognised ethnicity.
So who can figure that out - 'cause I can't?

 

[barbarajoh]

Think it just means your ancestors originally came from elsewhere (before 1700) Your wife's family must have been in England longer. Have you tested with another company too as they may read it differently? Ancestry show my parents as being 75% Yorkshire which is bang on with a wee bit of the Viking types Steve mention as well.

 

[Ladybird1300]

Thank you for that response which echoes what the DNA people told me when I challenged it.
Still cannot believe that not 1% of my DNA is English with the heritage I have.
My wife's came back with 91% English, and my son has 47%, so English is a recognised ethnicity.
So who can figure that out - 'cause I can't?

Don't get too excited that could change. I know someone given his results (which are only a guide) of 2% England Wales & NW Europe when there was an update on Ancestry a couple of years ago, he had over 80% English etc. They update quite often there has been three in the past year and I would say mine has pretty much confirmed my research.

Amanda

 

[benny1982]

I much prefer the paper trails (census, registers, BMD certs, wills etc) as opposed to DNA testing.

 

[stunor]

Thank you all for your comments and think, based on a colleague who has completely different results from two Providers that the comments of Amanda and particularly benny are most relevant. Had always thought that these tests would add more to my research, not confuse me more!

 

[p.risboy]

IF, I ever have a DNA test done, I would expect Scandinavian and Norman(French), add a touch of Scots(possible Scandinavian again), and a sprinkle of Irish(possibly).
I'm never convinced that Ancestree DNA is the right one. But which one would be.?

//

 

[benny1982]

On a TV show recently, a DNA test was done with 4 different companies, and they all gave different results. So if you were excited at finding the 0.1% Oriental DNA in you, probably from about 200 to 300 generations ago, and then found there was not a trace of Oriental in second test, then you will be disappointed.

Hence why I shall resist with the DNA testing.

 

[Ladybird1300]

IF, I ever have a DNA test done, I would expect Scandinavian and Norman(French), add a touch of Scots(possible Scandinavian again), and a sprinkle of Irish(possibly).
I'm never convinced that Ancestree DNA is the right one. But which one would be.?

//

Well Steve as Barbara says, if your test with another company you can get different results. I tested with Ancestry I had 2% Norway, and when I uploaded to My Heritage I lost Norway and got Iberian peninsula and Italian.

Amanda

 

[Ladybird1300]

On a TV show recently, a DNA test was done with 4 different companies, and they all gave different results. So if you were excited at finding the 0.1% Oriental DNA in you, probably from about 200 to 300 generations ago, and then found there was not a trace of Oriental in second test, then you will be disappointed.

Hence why I shall resist with the DNA testing.

It all depends what they have to compare it to in their database. The more people that test the more accurate the results will be, there are no results without anyone testing.

Amanda