DNA Testing
Why Take a DNA Test?
In recent years, DNA testing has become an increasingly popular tool for family historians. For many of us, it adds an exciting new layer to traditional research, providing clues, confirming connections, and sometimes opening doors to branches of the family tree we never knew existed.
So why take a DNA test? I took my DNA test many years ago, when it was newly available. I was keen to see if the results confirmed my research. Paper records can tell us names, dates, and places, but DNA testing offers something more personal. It’s a biological trail that can also link us not only to our direct ancestors but also to living relatives across the globe.
In this post, I’m sharing my own DNA results what I learned, what surprised me, and how this knowledge fits into the bigger picture of my family history journey.
My DNA Results
The results of my DNA test confirmed most of my family history research, and revealed a few interesting surprises. Unsurprisingly, the strongest connection is to Ireland, with 34% of my DNA linked to Ulster and Northern Ireland, and specifically South Donegal. This aligns beautifully with what I know about my 2x great grandmother, Ellen Boyle, who was born in Inver, Donegal.
Coming in next is Scotland at 25%, particularly the Scottish Highlands and Central Lowlands. This is where my Morison ancestors originated, so there is no surprise with this match.
My results also reflects 23% from England and Northwestern Europe. I understand the match with England as both my mother and my father have ancestry from there. However, I’m not sure about north western Europe, as over four decades of research has never shown anything from that area. So, that’s an opportunity for further research.
There are smaller amounts from Wales (6%), Cornwall (3%), and The Netherlands (2%). The Welsh connection includes both Northern and Western Wales. I’m now curious to explore Northern Wales as that’s a connection that I wasn’t expecting.
These results not only enrich my understanding of my heritage but also provide clues for future research. Each region ties into my family story. It appears that there is still new information to be found.
Following is a listing of the ancestry lines that I have been reseaching, and their place of origin.
BOYLE – Donegal, Ireland.
CALNAN – Kilkenny, Ireland
COX – Steeple Ashton and Bath, Wiltshire, England
GILMOUR -Ireland
JONES – London, England
LLOYD – Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
LOUDEN – Old Monkland, Lanarkshire, Scotland
LOVE – Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, England
McPHERSON – Sleat, Inverness, Scotland
McQUEEN/McEWAN/McQUINN – Trelawny, Cornwall, Jamaica
MORRISON/MORISON = Glenshiel, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland
TAYLOR – Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales
WATERS – Dunton, Bedfordshire, England
WEBB – Bradford On Avon, Wiltshire, England,
Day 10/50 Day Family History Blogging Challenge
Sadly none if your names are in my tree. An interesting DNA region turned up on my test, Iceland. Nope, I don't like the cold THAT much! It's fun and a headache at the same time. I was learning about AndesrryDNA on a SAG webinar this morning and have spent all day sorting matches.
With regard to northwestern Europe, Ancestry's ancestral regions are looking at "where your ancestors likely lived 1000+ years ago". So, not so surprising really.