Thread: Ancestry DNA Test and Family Trees

Originally Posted by BobH

No, too concerned who they share/sell the DNA info they collect to. Be interesting though.

Bob

^^^ Yup, hand them my DNA for compiling into their massive, for-profit genomic database?

Hard pass here. Besides, a better reason:

DNA ancestry tests are meaningless

A warning about the accuracy of the tests was made by the Sense About Science campaign group, which said "such histories are either so general as to be personally meaningless or they are just speculation from thin evidence."

The warning was backed by a number of leading genetics experts. Steve Jones, Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics at UCL said: “On a long trudge through history – two parents, four great-grandparents, and so on – very soon everyone runs out of ancestors and has to share them.

"As a result, almost every Briton is a descendant of Viking hordes, Roman legions, African migrants, Indian Brahmins, or anyone else they fancy.”

His colleague Prof Mark Thomas said: "These claims are usually planted by the companies that provide these so-called tests and are not backed up by published scientific research. This is business, and the business is genetic astrology.”

Originally Posted by Speedster

^^^ Yup, hand them my DNA for compiling into their massive, for-profit genomic database?

Hard pass here. Besides, a better reason:

DNA ancestry tests are meaningless

A warning about the accuracy of the tests was made by the Sense About Science campaign group, which said "such histories are either so general as to be personally meaningless or they are just speculation from thin evidence."

The warning was backed by a number of leading genetics experts. Steve Jones, Emeritus Professor of Human Genetics at UCL said: “On a long trudge through history – two parents, four great-grandparents, and so on – very soon everyone runs out of ancestors and has to share them.

"As a result, almost every Briton is a descendant of Viking hordes, Roman legions, African migrants, Indian Brahmins, or anyone else they fancy.”

His colleague Prof Mark Thomas said: "These claims are usually planted by the companies that provide these so-called tests and are not backed up by published scientific research. This is business, and the business is genetic astrology.”

"As a result, almost every Briton is a descendant of Viking hordes, Roman legions, African migrants, Indian Brahmins, or anyone else they fancy.”

The scientist who wrote that needs to be shot, the Vikings didn't come to Britain until 793 AD the Celts would have been already living in the UK Ireland since 500 BC the Anglo Saxons the modern-day English turned up 500 AD years before the Vikings, so that scientist needs a basic lesson in history, there is a small amount of Viking DNA but very little in the UK, in fact, the Celts still remain a pretty pure race genetically, when you consider the Anglo Saxons and the Romans usually tended to marry their own people because the language and cultural differences.

Originally Posted by celticcrusader

"As a result, almost every Briton is a descendant of Viking hordes, Roman legions, African migrants, Indian Brahmins, or anyone else they fancy.”

The scientist who wrote that needs to be shot, the Vikings didn't come to Britain until 793 AD the Celts would have been already living in the UK Ireland since 500 BC the Anglo Saxons the modern-day English turned up 500 AD years before the Vikings, so that scientist needs a basic lesson in history, there is a small amount of Viking DNA but very little in the UK, in fact, the Celts still remain a pretty pure race genetically, when you consider the Anglo Saxons and the Romans usually tended to marry their own people because the language and cultural differences.

Not sure I'd be shooting anyone for tossing out low-level hyperbole in these interesting times, especially a professor emeritus in human genetics. He's attempting to call attention to the more slimier outfits and claims made by such DNA testing services, not necessarily the one named by the OP its major competitor using the chromosome pairs number.

The data privacy concerns me most. Who knows, not something I care to spend my money on, just figure folks ought to think twice at least before jumping into line.

( Oh, and apologies for all of the ad-blitzing on previously linked site. Several privacy extensions in the web browser solved that for me. )

I had an uncle who was very serious about our genealogy/ family tree.

I've yet to look at his work, but my cousins have it for all the family to look at.

But he did tell me that he's followed us back to the Anglo Saxons. That were third cousin's to princess Diana.
And that one of our first descendants to America, was hung for horse thievery.

The more you learn about your ancestry, the more you realize who you are, and those deep, down inside feelings.

I had mine tested. As I suspected I am eleven shades of beige. A true blue, total and complete mutt. So the screen name rings true all the way through my DNA test.

I did ancestry and 23 and me. No surprises. But I did get a few hits. One who was my father's first cousin and thru the site was able to get them to have a chat on the phone that they hadn't spoken in more than 50 years. That was worth all of it for me. Privacy doesnt exist anymore anyway is my take. But that's for everyone to decide.

Uncle Zeke did one of those genetic research outfits and they told him his relatives were two dudes named Zippy and Cheetah. He still trying to connect with them whoever they are.

Originally Posted by RezDog

I had mine tested. As I suspected I am eleven shades of beige. A true blue, total and complete mutt. So the screen name rings true all the way through my DNA test.

This is EXACTLY what I am expecting.

Originally Posted by ScottGoodman

This is EXACTLY what I am expecting.

Mutts are the best!

I have not had my DNA tested, but I am tempted to have it done. The results are likely to end up quite similar to Scott's.

My father's side of the family has ancient Anglo-Saxon roots. The family migrated to Virginia alongside some of the earliest English settlers in the New World.

My mother's side of the family has Scots-Irish roots as well as Welsh. Her ancestors also were among the earliest English settlers in Virginia. Thus, my Virginia roots are quite deep.