Thread: Nature vs nurture in real time

I had always wondered what Black Irish meant.

I had one of those DNA test too. Pure mutt, but 25% of that is Scandinavian, and no one in my family can explain that, and that is a pretty high percentage for a mystery.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I had one of those DNA test too. Pure mutt, but 25% of that is Scandinavian, and no one in my family can explain that, and that is a pretty high percentage for a mystery.

Well, I refuse to take one,, might end up with a CODIS hit.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2671536903/
Some further research into my genetic history has uncovered this clip from one of the biggest events in Toronto's history and an interview with my biological grandfather during the event.
At 2:18 into the clip you will see him being interviewed about his wife and kids on the other bank. He was a TTC driver in Toronto at the time.

I have now met both half siblings from my dad, as well as all surviving aunts and uncle of the man.
Very gracious people that knew nothing of my birth at the time but were very happy to welcome me into the clan 52 years later.

Been a very interesting summer of 2017 gents!

Very interesting story, Mike-I have always thought that we are much more prisoners of our DNA than we believe. Neither my brother nor myself were raised by my biological father beyond baby-hood (long story), but we both have some of his mannerisms, thought patterns, and personality traits. It used to drive my mother crazy-she thought she had escaped him! Fascinating how that genetic stuff expresses itself over the generations.

A study was done years ago of identical twins who were separated at birth and never met. Decades later, their lives were astonishingly similar-I don't remember all the details. Weird, huh?

So very very weird I am discovering. All good discoveries, but wow, DNA is incredibly directive in our development I must concede.
Thinking back to the papers I wrote in psychology in such staunch support of nurture over nature. Unbeknownst to myself at the time slowly emulating my biological father in uncanny ways. I so should have flunked in hind sight evidently..

My own son, head in the window frame in the above group picture stands beside my half brother and sister on his left. Side by side he looks more like my half brother than he does like me! And now I finally know where he gets the height from, hehehe.
Both my siblings are full time into the arts, creative writing and painting, so are my kids. Music, writing, etc.
My own DNA results should be in this week or next. Will make for interesting reviews when they arrive.
Thanks for sharing a bit of your own tale, appreciate knowing more about my brothers in blades.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

Very interesting story, Mike-I have always thought that we are much more prisoners of our DNA than we believe. Neither my brother nor myself were raised by my biological father beyond baby-hood (long story), but we both have some of his mannerisms, thought patterns, and personality traits. It used to drive my mother crazy-she thought she had escaped him! Fascinating how that genetic stuff expresses itself over the generations.

A study was done years ago of identical twins who were separated at birth and never met. Decades later, their lives were astonishingly similar-I don't remember all the details. Weird, huh?

This...

Results are in..

Did not expect to find out I was Jewish, well partly. Although as I remember from history there was quite the influx of Jewish settlers throughout the Austrian region in the 1800s. My mom being Austrian I guess it makes sense.
Craazy stuff. But very cool to know. Highly recommend you invest the spit to have it done.

Good thread guys, and a bit timely for me.

My step daughter/adopted daughter born in Vung Tau, Vietnam recently went in search of her biological father. She submitted a DNA sample to the 23 andMe website. She found out she was Vietnamese ( no surprise), a bit of Chinese ( again no surprise) and a bunch of English and some Irish!
Then she was notified of a dNA match with some 3rd & 4th cousins. That was followed by a match with 2 1st cousins! She contacted them and asked if they had an uncle who had served in Vietnam in 1968. One of them said yes! My daughter contacted him ..... he had a DNA test done and it is a match!
Everything is going well now and they will get together in Oregon soon.
One picture of his grandmother looks remarkably similar to my daughter!
I am very happy for her. She now has a "place" in life.

I do need to have a DNA test done for me. There is a possibility of some interesting results according to family rumors !

You can pick your nose and your friends but not your relatives.

In the two generations of my family that I feel comfortable in saying that I know about there has been a world wide mixture of races and cultures.

I know of a couple of younger people that I don't think that their dad is really their dad. I am not going to open that can of worms.

I am not going to send my DNA to a stranger to tell me what I have seen.

If you go back far enough I think we are all related.

And I might get a CODIS hit!