Instead of submitting my own DNA to Ancestry.com which would have likely produced the results of "British Isles", "Central Europe" (Germany included), and "Scandinavia", I decided that any new and interesting finds in our family roots and origins might actually be on my husband's side of the family.
With the legend of a Native American back in his heritage, we submitted his DNA for testing. What we found was rather unsurprising and seemingly uninteresting at first glance.
-74% British Isles
-16% Central Europe
-10% Uncertain
We had pretty much pegged his origins as 70% Irish and Scottish. I suppose some English is in there too bringing his DNA up to 74% from that part of the world. We did not find any Scandinavian DNA in his results at this time. Sometimes that can be surprising given the Viking influence in the British Isles and, in particular, in Ireland.
Given our very German last name, I was rather taken back that he is only 16% Central Europe. So while we live with a German last name, we are both around three quarters (no DNA proof for me yet) British Isles. He's mainly Scottish/Irish and I'm Irish. We've both been able to trace that back in time for the most part. In Germany, we both know where our ancestors originate too.
The 10% "Uncertain" leaves us scratching our heads. What are the testers uncertain of? Were they uncertain of a potential Native American match or some other origins. My husband was hoping that that this DNA test would either eliminate or confirm his "American Indian" heritage. Now, we are still left wondering.
I must admit that my husband does not really look Irish at all. He looks to be German and maybe some rugged Scottish. If his DNA proved to be Native American, we would not be surprised at all. Appearances aside, you just never can tell.
In reviewing the "Beta" DNA for Ancestry.com, we must remember that this is in its infancy. Ancestry.com is gathering DNA and putting it into a database to help people find blood relatives. In fact, the test results found a potential DNA match of a 4th or 5th cousin for my husband with 95% certainly. That's a pretty distant cousin if you ask me. We actually could not find any surname matches on that person's tree right now. Will we find a closer relative once more DNA is collected?
It becomes a waiting game. Any Beta test works that way. As more and more people order the DNA test, more matches will form, and a more definitive origin can result. The 10% of uncertain for my husband could shrink over time providing a more exact ethnicity.
I'm certainly game to see what happens. Once Ancestry.com opens up the DNA tests to everyone, I will submit mine too. For now, the solo invite was used for my husband. It has generated quite a bit of interest in his family.
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