Who do I think I am? This is so relevant to me partly because I am adopted. Identity is a big issue for me as there are gaps in what I know about my birth parents and my birth father in particular. Obviously having seen DNA tests on the daytime telly box, I have wanted to have one done so I can at least have some non-negotiable facts about just who I am.
DNA Testing
I was delighted to be contacted by a company called Living DNA, a DNA testing company that provides a detailed and accurate view of your ancestry. It presents you with your ancestry journey in the following ways:
- Your family ancestry stretching back 10 generations with an in-depth breakdown of the countries and regions (80 regions worldwide including 21 in the UK)
- Your maternal ancestry (also known as the motherline) and paternal ancestry for males (also known as the fatherline) going back around 200,000 years
- Your ancestors’ migration paths going right back to when the first humans migrated out of Africa
The procedure
I received a kit which was really easy to use with very clear instructions. I had to create an online log in and activate it. I took a DNA sample which I found so exciting. I was keen to get it right but once again, the guidance was clear telling you what to do and not do. A quick mouth swab and off it went in a pre-paid envelope leaving me waiting enthusiastically for the results.
Who did I think I was?
I have held my Irish ancestry dear for many years. I was sure I would be mainly Irish and hoped for something interesting like French and Russian in the mix. France because I am a total Francophile and also because it does appear my birth family were in France many generations ago. Russia because I have always wanted to visit since I was a little girl.
Who do I think I am?
Well I was in for quite a surprise. It turns out I am only a quarter Irish so we will guess that my creativity and feisty spirit is located in that part of my make-up. It turns out that I have Scottish, Welsh and English in my mix too. Is that why I ended up with a Scottish bloke as my first boyfriend and why Wales is one of my favourite places to visit? Weirdly, a lot of the English places mentioned were places I had either studied, worked or volunteered in. As for the big surprise, it turns out I have a good degree of Scandinavian. Strangely, I remember trying to persuade a group of my friends to visit Denmark when we were 16 years of age. I am a Viking! Who knew?
Final thoughts
I did not get the desired result or that is what I thought at first. Then I worked out that actually I did because I now have proof of where I come from after so many years struggling with identity issues.
As for Living DNA, it was a very efficient system with clear guidance. You get a really interesting report which really makes you think about how we are all connected and should live more peacefully together.
For £99, this would make a brilliant present for Christmas or birthdays.
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So glad to read about your positive experience with DNA testing. This might be a good Christmas gift for my sons and DILs!
Fascinating idea … shows how much of a mix we all are, if we look into it. And how much maybe nurture shapes us. #Ablogginggoodtime
How interesting. It isn’t something I have ever thought of doing before #triedtested
This must have been so interesting to discover. I have heard of these tests and they do make me curious about where I came from.
My mother ordered something similar for my dad last Christmas and it was a very interesting result. It turns out that he really wasn’t all that he thought he was! #triumphanttales
My friend recently did this and really enjoyed it. He did it twice to make sure he got the same results. Very cool, Kate! #stayclassymama xoxo
This sounds like a fascinating discovery and definitely something I’d be interested in trying out. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
What a wonderful experience, it must be lovely to finally get some concrete answers about your heritage! Thank you forswearing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week.
I’ve always been tempted to do something like this but never brave enough to go through with it. And I have no idea what I am really afraid of? It is a very very interesting and alternative gift for someone (I’m actually thinking of my brother-in-law here) so it’s something I am going to keep on the back burner – thanks Kate!! #triumphant tales
I find this so fascinating. My Nan traced her history back last year as she had it as a Christmas gift and it’s so interesting to find out where we’ve come from #TriedTested
I find this absolutely fascinating – it’s definitely something I’d love to do myself. (People keep telling my husband he looks like a viking!)
Back with some more blogger love, from #triumphanttales <3 Kate! ox