Let's Talk DNA

Recently, my mother and I purchased an AncestryDNA kit for my grandmother, as part of her birthday celebration.  ...Okay, so it was more of a gift for me and my mother...  I admit it.

Anyway, we got the results back last month, and while there was nothing too surprising (my uncle has also taken one of Ancestry's DNA tests in the past, so we sort of new what to expect in my grandma's results), I thought it would be something interesting to discuss here, for anyone curious about exactly what these DNA tests are able to tell you about your ethnic heritage.

First of all, you will see an ethnicity estimate overview graph, like this:

Basic ethnicity estimate graph showing the major components of my grandmother's DNA

Now, this doesn't tell us a whole lot, but if you were someone who knew absolutely nothing about your ethnic make-up, then even the picture above would be pretty exciting, I would assume.  So, based on the graph above, we can see that my grandmother is mostly Native American, with a good percentage of her ethnicity coming from the Iberian Peninsula, a small portion being European Jewish, and trace amounts from 9 other regions.

When you click on "See full ethnicity estimate", you will be taken to another page which will further break down the information for you.  On this page, you'll see a map, which highlights all the regions on the globe where your specific genetic make-up originates from.

Map of the world indicating where my grandmother's DNA comes from

The portions above which are filled with color indicate higher percentages of DNA, and the ones which are merely circles indicate trace amounts of DNA.

To the left of this map, in your own DNA results, you will find that AncestryDNA has broken down that original ethnicity estimate graph, so that you are able to see more specifically where, all around the world, your own DNA comes from.  In the next image, you will see my grandmother's DNA breakdown.

Breakdown of the various ethnicities comprising my grandmother's DNA

When you click on each of the regions found in your AncestryDNA results, you will find that they are further broken down for you on the right-hand side of the page, located just above the map.

For instance, when we clicked on each region found in my grandmother's DNA, we found the specific countries, or areas that included in that particular region.  I've listed them for you below:

1.  Africa - 3%
breaks down to:
-  2% Senegal
-  <1% North Africa (which includes: Morocco, Western Sahara, Algeria, Libya)

2.  America - 51%
breaks down to:
-  51% Native American (which includes: North, Central, and South America)

3.  Asia - 2%
breaks down to:
-  1% Central Asia (which includes: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, etc...)
-  <1% Eastern Asia (which includes: Russia, China, North and South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Singapore, etc...)

4.  Europe - 39%
breaks down to:
-  19% Iberian Peninsula (which includes: Spain and Portugal)
-  6% European Jewish (which includes: Poland, Russia, Hungary, Israel, etc...)
-  6% Italy/Greece
-  4% Great Britain (which includes: England, Scotland, Wales)
-  3% Scandinavia (which includes: Sweden, Norway, Denmark)
-  <1% Ireland (which includes: Ireland, Wales, Scotland)

5.  West Asia - 5%
breaks down to:
-  5% Middle East (which includes: Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel, etc...) 

So, then to try and make sense of the results, we apply them to our knowledge of our family history...

I admit I am no expert on this subject, but based on research I have done, I believe I can explain where some of the African percentage comes from.  The Moors, who came from Africa, conquered and settled Spain in the 1100s, so I believe that may be where that small percentage of African DNA would come in.

As for the Native American DNA, doing our family history research, I’ve learned that we have several Mexican ancestors so, because Mexico is part of North America, I believe that is where that percentage of DNA is going to come in to play.  Because of the migration patterns of native tribes, it is currently too difficult to pinpoint EXACTLY where in North America, Central America, or South America my grandmother's DNA comes from using this test in particular, though other more extensive tests do exist.

That small percentage of Central Asian DNA may be explained in the same way as the African, because of the particular regions is encompasses.  There may have been Moors from this area, who eventually conquered Spain.  The less than 1% of Eastern Asia, I can’t explain as well.  Chalk that up to migration, I suppose.

Next, to try and explain the 39% European results:  Broken down according to family names, these percentages really make perfect sense.  The 19% Iberian Peninsula (which includes Spain) is explained VERY easily, since we know the family name, Zamora, comes from the region of Spain with the same name.  The 6% European Jewish is also pretty easily explained.  Having researched the name Zamora, I've read that the name was originally a Jewish name, which the Pope has declared as having been so.  The 6% Italy/Greece result, in my opinion, may serve as proof of the origins of our Delgado name, which, according to my research has both Spanish AND Italian origins.  The 4% Great Britain, 3% Scandinavia and less than 1% Irish results are all going to be tied together, in my opinion.  Having researched the name Donnell, I have learned that there is an argument amongst historians as to whether the name originated  in Ireland or Scotland.  With such a small percentage of Irish showing up in my grandmother's DNA results, I’m thinking it’s possible the name was originally Scottish.  It's also possible, though, that my grandmother's sisters could have simply inherited more of the Irish genes.  We won't know that, however, unless they were to take a DNA test.  The Scandinavian percentage should be able to be explained by the fact that the Vikings are the ones who conquered and settled in Great Britain (Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England) around the year 1066. 

 

 

Last of all, the percentage of West Asia DNA may possibly go back, once again, to the Moors who originally invaded and settled Spain.

And there you have it: My grandmother's AncestryDNA results broken down and explained to the best of my ability.  While there are other, more specific and altogether different DNA tests available, none of them are really going to be able to tell you exactly when a certain region's DNA was introduced into your family or by whom.  DNA goes back hundreds and thousands of years.  The best way to trace your family through history is by following a good old fashioned paper trail.  DNA results such as these will serve, simply to verify that the research you've done on your family is correct.

That being said, I really recommend everyone have one of these tests done.  It is invaluable to know where your ancestors came from and whose blood is running through your veins.  These tests also serve as a great reminder that we are all connected.