A DNA Story

Kimberly H. from the Tech Dept at
Medina County District Library

Recently, a co-worker shared a fascinating DNA tale that highlights some of the strengths and
weaknesses of DNA testing and genealogical research.

Here is Kim's story...

(My questions are in bold and Kim's responses are in italics.)

1. How long have you been interested in your family history? 

I have been interested in my family history as long as I can remember. My dad had studied history in college, and my parents were very interested in genealogy. My grandparents also had always told  us stories about their lives growing up.

2. How long have you been researching your family history?
Since the advent of online research, around the 90’s. I tried to pick up where my parents left off.

3. What made you decide to do a DNA test? What were you hoping to learn? Or was it just for fun?
I was told many stories about my ethnic background. I was very curious about where my gene pool came from.

4. Are you interested in the health aspects of DNA testing?
I am interested to some degree, as I lost my mom to ovarian cancer, but fear of finding out makes me hesitant. 
Did you know that most primary care physicians are routinely screening for familial diseases and that some insurance companies will pay for genetic testing?
Yes, as our daughter has Turner Syndrome and has been through extensive genetic testing. We were offered to have testing done, because of her results, but I have a tendency to worry. I’d rather just not know what my genes say could or might happen medically. In this case I kind of feel “ignorance” is bliss.

5. Were you surprised by your ethnicity estimates?                                                                     

Kim's Ethnicity Estimate

I was very surprised by my ethnicity estimates in that what I expected to see was not there, and by what was there. I expected to see European Jew in the mix, as it was indicated to me that my grandmother’s extended family was Jewish. My results do not indicate that is the case. I was also VERY surprised to find I am Scandinavian; 11% Norwegian, 2% Swedish, and 1% Finnish.  As a matter of fact, both my parents have French surnames, but I am more Scandinavian than French. 

Because of people crossing back and forth across the area that is France, there is not a good genetic identifier for French ancestry. Also, for privacy reasons, the French people are very hesitant to participate in DNA testing, meaning we don’t have a large enough pool of “French” DNA to compare against. 

My grandfather’s family has been in New Orleans since the very early 19th century, I dare say even late 18th century. They are part of the New Orleans Acadian migration (Cajun), so that is where my mother's French surname originates. My DNA test confirms though what I have been finding document-wise, I have yet to find anyone from France anywhere in my tree. I also cannot find my father’s maternal great-grandfather anywhere, document-wise.

6. And the big surprise was…

I have a sister! My grandfather indicated a bit vaguely just before he passed that my mom had a child before my older brother. In doing the Ancestry DNA test, a person came up as 1st cousin or closer. I thought initially she may be related to me as a cousin via my dad, as he never met his father, but when I saw we had being Acadians in common, I knew Rudy had to be related to my mom. After contacting Rudy via Ancestry, we decided to do another DNA test that is specifically to determine a sibling relationship, and it said there is an 81% chance of certainty that we are half siblings.

Kim's "new" sister, Rudy.

7. How has that impacted you?

I’ll be honest in that I do not think it particularly impacted me. I am glad to know there is another family member.  I think it probably impacted Rudy more, finding her genetic family.

   

 a. Do you think/feel about yourself differently?
I am the “baby” of the family, and I am still the youngest, so my position in that regard is unaffected (ha-ha). I have to say, no I really do not feel differently about myself.

Kim's mother around the time she had Rudy.

  b. Do you think/feel about your mother differently?

 My mother and I were very close. Knowing about Rudy only explains how and why my mom did some things, reacted to certain things. Knowing how much she loved my brother and I. I know that must’ve been very hard for her to give Rudy up. I know she probably loved her and likely thought about her all the time. Having to keep it to herself for so many years (because that is what they did back then) must’ve been such a sad burden. I am just so happy that Rudy was placed in a good home and had a loving family to grow up with, because I am sure that was all my mother would’ve hoped for her. 

You seem very nonchalant about this new sibling. How long ago did you find this out? Have you had time to process the information?

My grandfather told me about the possibility of a sister in 1998(?), so I have had from start to finish about 20 yrs to mull it in my head. I never asked my mom about it because after he told us (my husband and I) about it, I had my youngest daughter, then he had a stroke and died, my great-aunt of whom I was close to, passed away, and my mother was diagnosed with cancer, then also passed away. From start to finish, it was 9 mos.

Are you still absorbing it?
I've pretty much accepted the situation, as a whole.  

Or is that your laid back personality?

I am pretty chill about most things like this. I mean if I found out I was related to the Queen or to Hitler (My DNA dream vs my DNA nightmare), that would have definitely brought out a reaction. I have no illusions about who my parents were and where they come from. We are all human and things happen, decisions are made, good or bad. My life is blessed, and Rudy is to me is one more blessing.

c. Did that make you angry?

 Not at all. As I said my mother and I were very close. I just feel so bad she had to carry this burden alone her whole life. She was just a child herself (16 yrs old) when she had Rudy, and all decisions regarding Rudy's birth and adoption I am sure were made by my grandmother, with very little say on my mother’s part.

8. How has that impacted the rest of your family?
It really hasn’t impacted the rest of us. My daughters and my niece are eager to get to know that part of their family. My brother has not said much of anything, perhaps that is the only was he knows to deal with it. I do think it is funny that Rudy, Rob (my brother), and I all only had girls.

Kim's brother, Robert.

9. Did she know she had half siblings?
I believe not until Ancestry put us together. She has a brother by her adopted parents.

10. You are in contact with your half-sister? 
We have sent messages via Facebook messenger and email mostly. I think I hear from her or vise versa once or twice a month.

11. Do you plan a face to face meeting?
I am sure one day we will, but we are both have jobs and Rudy lives in another state. We just haven’t gotten too deep into that yet.

12. Are you sorry you found out? 
I am not at all sorry I found out about Rudy! More you learn about your family is more you learn about yourself.

13. Are you sorry you did the test?

Again, not at all. I am very science minded, and I find the fact that they can tell you so much information about yourself on a micro-cellular level fascinating. To find family, and meet new people that share characteristics with you is a bonus!

14. Would you recommend others to have their DNA tested?
I definitely would.

So what do we learn from Kim's DNA story?

1. Ethnicity estimates are not exact and can be very inaccurate for certain nationalities.
2. You never know what surprises it might have in story for you.
3. To get the most of the results, you must still do traditional genealogy research that provides documentation.
4. Know what your personal comfort zones are. 
5. That being tested is totally worth it!