Tuesday, January 7, 2014

DNA has always interested me, but I didn't know that much about it. Most of what I read was related to Y Dna, which is passed down from father to son. After becoming obsessed with the PBS program "Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr." and watching the "23andMe" commercials over and over again asking if I knew how much Neanderthal I was, I decided to take the plunge. I prepared myself in advance for what I might find out. Scott and I sent our our precious DNA (spit) through the mail. Then, the long wait began for our Autosomal DNA results. As the weeks went by, the more excited I became. I filled out our 23andMe family trees and answered oodles of health related surveys. Finally, the big day arrived! After six weeks of waiting, I found out that I am 100% European and 3.1 percent of my DNA is Neanderthal. Wow! I am in the 96th percentile among European users!




Scott and I both had nearly 1000 DNA cousins.  Some even as close as 2nd and 3rd degree.  Now came the part of figuring out how I was related to so many people.  Fun, fun, fun!  




2 comments:

  1. I can only imagine the excitement! My wife purchased AncestryDNA for me for Christmas and I can't wait. I am learning that 23andMe is excellent too! Thanks for sharing your experience and journey!

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  2. Thank you for your comment, Dante :) You will have a great time with your 23andMe results. I have become a DNA junkie. When you get your results back, be sure to download your raw data onto Gedmatch! I have already been able to connect several dead ends on my tree.

    I am actually excited for your results! We may be related. I have the names Warren, Taliaferro and Hancock in my tree. My Taliaferro line is a dead end at my 2nd great grandmother. I will have to watch for your name to pop up. You just never know.

    Your blog is great! Thank you for sharing...

    Cara

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