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Family History Research and DNA Tests

ArchaeC

Having submitted a sample for genealogy DNA testing with 23andMe earlier this year, I have enjoyed exploring my genetic ancestral history and discovering more about my ancient Neanderthal and Denisovan progenitors. I took advantage of the free data upload to Living DNA which gave a more detailed breakdown of my British and Irish ancestry, and discovered some ancient relatives who had  interesting histories such as a late Roman period man who was buried at Crypta Balbi in Rome, a Ukrainian prince, and a victim of the St Brice’s Day Massacre in Dorset. I share DNA with Classical period Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, which is rather exciting as it contributes to understanding of how populations shifted around that time. I’m now ready to continue researching my more recent family history through Ancestry DNA, but unlike Living DNA, Ancestry DNA don’t accept DNA data uploads, so I’ve had to order a new test, but at least it’s less than half the usual price and it comes with a three month subscription to world wide membership for £1.

Has anybody researched their more recent family history using Ancestry UK or any other company and is it necessary or worth employing a professional genealogist? I am concerned that costs could escalate as I explore the various branches of recent family.


Copied from Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, Public Library Online

Parents Reply
  • in reply to ArchaeC

    It's what I read somewhere, I can't remember where, I think you can go to France and search records, but I don't think sites like Ancestry exist.

    I think one of the first things you find out when doing a DNA test like these, is that we are all of mixed heritage, we all came from somewhere. It could be useful knowlege if you needed to construct an arguement with a racist, who is English for example? I might be almost pure southern English, but my attitudes are what many would call woke and I have an international family. I think many don't realise how mobile their ancestors were, many moved for work or because of wars. I also think it's important that people realise how many people were just ordinary, farm workers, factory hands etc, not descended from nobility etc.   

Children
  • in reply to TheCatWoman

    I still haven’t researched further what you said about testing in France being illegal but the bit I saw confirmed what you said. I just need to research all their reasons. Politicians have a habit of saying one thing to make an argument when their agenda is about something else that they don’t want to say directly. 

    TheCatWoman said:
    It could be useful knowlege if you needed to construct an arguement with a racist, who is English for example?

    Yes, it’s nonsensical to talk about Englishness in terms of ancestral origin. 

    TheCatWoman said:
    my attitudes are what many would call woke

    Mine too. If anyone called me woke it would make me feel I am effective in standing up for human dignity. The term is always directed at the target as an insult and reveals the nasty intention of the perpetrator.