Discovering My Ancestry Through DNA Testing - Expert Genealogist's Reaction

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. My DNA Test Results
3. Testing Platforms: Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage, and GEDmatch
4. My Family Tree
5. Ancestry on My Father's Side
   1. Ashkenazi Jewish Ancestry
   2. German and European Ancestry
6. Ancestry on My Mother's Side
   1. Sephardic Ancestry
   2. Western Sephardic Community
   3. Dutch Ashkenazi and Safari Ancestry
7. Comparing DNA Results with My Parents
8. Genetic Matches: Understanding the Importance
   1. Exploring My Genetic Matches
   2. Finding Missing Branches in My Family Tree
9. The Limitations of DNA Testing Platforms
10. Conclusion

Article: Exploring My DNA Test Results and Ancestral Origins

Introduction

Hey there! Jerry Rossigni here, and in today's video, I'll be taking You through my own DNA test results and exploring my ancestral origins. I've received numerous inquiries about my genetic background, and although I've previously shared my DNA test results from 2017, I thought it would be interesting to compare my updated results and those of my parents. So, let's dive right in and explore the fascinating world of genetic genealogy.

My DNA Test Results

I initially tested my DNA with Family Tree DNA, which is where I've primarily focused my genetic research. However, I've also uploaded my results to other platforms like MyHeritage and GEDmatch to widen my search for relatives. Testing my parents on Family Tree DNA has helped cover other databases, such as Ancestry, where my mom and aunt have also tested.

Now let's Delve into my DNA test results. As an Ashkenazi Jew, it's no surprise that my results predominantly Show European Jewish ancestry. Family Tree DNA indicates that I am 99% European Jewish, with 99% specifically categorized as Ashkenazi Jewish. This aligns with my extensive family tree research, which reveals a rich tapestry of Eastern European origins, including the Pale of Russia.

While my DNA test results didn't reveal any significant surprises, it's interesting to note the small percentage of Southern Caucasus ancestry, indicating a connection to that region. Yet, it's crucial to highlight that the precise breakdown of my European Jewish ancestry can vary slightly among different testing platforms.

Testing Platforms: Family Tree DNA, MyHeritage, and GEDmatch

Family Tree DNA serves as my DNA testing platform of choice. However, I've also utilized MyHeritage and GEDmatch to maximize the potential for uncovering relatives across multiple databases. While Family Tree DNA primarily focuses on match connections, MyHeritage prides itself on identifying various Jewish categories, including Sephardic Jewish and Mizrahi Jewish.

Comparing my results on Family Tree DNA and MyHeritage provides an intriguing contrast. Family Tree DNA reports 99% Ashkenazi Jewish, while MyHeritage highlights 84.1% Ashkenazi Jewish, 9.9% Sephardic Jewish (North African), and 6% Mizrahi Jewish (Iranian and Iraqi). This discrepancy raises questions about the accuracy and reliability of genetic testing platforms, as the results can vary Based on their population reference databases. While the MyHeritage results suggest potential Mizrahi Jewish ancestry, this finding requires further exploration and validation through additional genealogical research.

My Family Tree

Before delving deeper into my ancestry, let's take a quick look at my family tree to gain a better understanding of the admixture results. Based on available genealogy records, my father's side is predominantly Ashkenazi Jewish, originating from the Pale of Russia. My mother's side, however, has a mix of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, with roots tracing back to the Western Sephardic community and the Netherlands.

Exploring my family tree has been an exciting Journey, uncovering the stories of my ancestors and helping me comprehend the genetic connections revealed in my DNA test results. Through extensive research and the collective knowledge of relatives, I've been able to construct a comprehensive picture of my lineage.

Ancestry on My Father's Side

On my father's side, my extensive family tree primarily points to Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. The Goldberg and Goldenberg families hail from Sokarani, a town that was part of Romania and is now in Ukraine. My great-grandmother Fanny's precise origins are uncertain, but she likely comes from a region near Sokarani. The Rosenberg family has German roots but belongs to the Ashkenazi Jewish community, making it unlikely that I'll have German ancestry reflected in my DNA test results.

Ancestry on My Mother's Side

The exciting aspect of my mother's side is the mixture of Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry. The Safari families in my maternal lineage Trace back to the Western Sephardic community, with origins in the Netherlands during the 1600s. Some branches within this line dispersed to different regions like Italy, Bordeaux, and Hamburg. The Dutch Ashkenazi side, represented by the Moscow family, contributes to my Ashkenazi Jewish genetic makeup.

Further down the line, the Epstein and Scovatzky families have ties to Kiev and Odessa, while the Silicon (Sila) family is believed to have originated from Kishinev (now Chișinău, Moldova). These diverse ancestral connections provide a rich tapestry of Ashkenazi Jewish heritage.

Comparing DNA Results with My Parents

Comparing my DNA results with those of my parents offers fascinating insights into our shared genetic heritage. My dad's DNA test results Align closely with my own, where he is 92% Ashkenazi Jewish according to Family Tree DNA. However, his results on MyHeritage reveal an additional 6% Italian ancestry, potentially pointing to an unknown Italian branch in his family tree. Exploring this Italian connection further might lead to fascinating discoveries.

My mother's DNA test results also mirror mine, highlighting the presence of Sephardic Jewish ancestry. Family Tree DNA reports less than 2% Sephardic Jewish, while MyHeritage indicates 5.5% Sephardic Jewish, along with 2.2% Southern European (Italian). These results validate the Sephardic heritage in my family and demonstrate the various genetic contributions from both sides of my family tree.

Genetic Matches: Understanding the Importance

Analyzing genetic matches is a crucial component of exploring one's ancestry. Despite the limitations of DNA testing platforms, the connections established through genetic matches provide valuable insights into familial relationships and ancestry confirmation. Genetic matches can uncover missing branches in one's family tree and answer questions about shared heritage.

Scouring through the genetic match lists on Family Tree DNA has allowed me to connect with relatives going back several generations. It's intriguing to see the range of relationships and explore the potential connections concisely detailed by Family Tree DNA. The estimated relationships provided by the testing platform may not always align perfectly with known genealogical connections, particularly within specific Jewish communities known for endogamy. Nevertheless, genetic matches serve as a reliable resource for confirming and expanding one's family tree.

The Limitations of DNA Testing Platforms

While DNA testing platforms provide a glimpse into our ancestral past, it's important to acknowledge their limitations. Each platform utilizes distinct reference populations, algorithms, and databases, resulting in variations in admixture percentages among different platforms. These variations can be confusing and lead to discrepancies in reported results.

Additionally, DNA testing platforms face challenges in accurately pinpointing specific populations within vast global populations. The precision and accuracy of detecting certain ancestral origins might be compromised when dealing with diverse ethnic groups, as is the case with Sephardic and Mizrahi Jewish populations.

Despite these limitations, DNA testing platforms, when used in conjunction with extensive genealogical research, offer valuable insights into one's genetic heritage. By cross-referencing results and exploring genetic matches, individuals can construct a more comprehensive picture of their ancestral origins.

Conclusion

In conclusion, exploring my DNA test results has provided intriguing insights into my ancestral origins. As an Ashkenazi Jew with mixed Sephardic heritage, I've uncovered the intricacies of my family tree and the genetic connections that Bind us together. While DNA testing platforms have their limitations, their ability to identify genetic matches and validate ancestral connections remains invaluable.

The journey of discovering our genetic heritage is an ongoing process, one that requires meticulous research and a deep appreciation for our ancestors. By combining genetic testing with traditional genealogical methods, we can uncover Hidden stories, connect with distant relatives, and gain a clearer understanding of our place in the tapestry of humanity.

Continue to explore the vibrant world of genetic genealogy, and may your own DNA test results unravel the remarkable stories of your ancestors.

Highlights

1. Delving into my DNA test results to uncover my ancestral origins
2. Comparing genetic matches and understanding their importance
3. Exploring the limitations and challenges of DNA testing platforms
4. Unveiling the complexities of diverse Jewish ancestry
5. Connecting with relatives and expanding the family tree through genetic matches

FAQ

Q: How accurate are DNA test results for determining ancestry?

A: DNA test results provide valuable insights into ancestral origins; however, accuracy may vary depending on the testing platform and reference population databases. Genetic testing, when combined with extensive genealogical research, offers a more comprehensive understanding of one's heritage.

Q: Can DNA testing platforms identify specific regions or communities within larger populations?

A: DNA testing platforms utilize reference populations to estimate ancestry composition. While some platforms may provide detailed breakdowns of specific communities, such as Sephardic Jewish or Mizrahi Jewish, the accuracy of these identifications can vary. Further research and validation are often required to confirm such findings.

Q: Can genetic matches help in building a comprehensive family tree?

A: Yes, genetic matches are valuable resources for expanding one's family tree. By connecting with relatives through common DNA segments, individuals can verify relationships, uncover missing branches, and gain a deeper understanding of their genealogical connections.

Q: What are the limitations of DNA testing platforms?

A: DNA testing platforms may have limitations when it comes to pinpointing specific ethnicities or populations within larger communities. Additionally, variations in reference populations, algorithms, and databases can result in minor differences in reported admixture percentages across different platforms.

Q: How can I make the most of my DNA test results in genealogical research?

A: To maximize the potential of your DNA test results, combine them with traditional genealogical research methods. Explore your genetic matches, cross-reference results from different platforms, and delve into historical records to Create a comprehensive narrative of your ancestral heritage.