It was inevitable at some point I would be interested in having my DNA tested. And when that happened, I could also convince my husband to have his tested as well. As luck would have it, our kids took care of the decision for us. Yes, we received DNA kits for Christmas! As excited as I was about it, my husband was less sure about the whole thing. But it was his DNA that the kids were most interested in having.
Our after Christmas chores consisted of taking the DNA tests. I wasn’t sure of how to do that even though the instructions are clearly outlined on the test, so I went online to see just what we would have to do to complete the tests. Even before taking the test, you have to register for an Ancestry account (if your test is purchased through Ancestry), sign in, and verify that you have a valid test kit. Once in your account verifying the kit, you also have to sign a release for your results to be used in Ancestry’s database.
I watched a humorous YouTube video on how to take the test. Just like in the video, we had to do a spit test. While the tube shows a small amount of spit required for the test, it took me almost five minutes to fill that about 1/4 inch of the tube! Apparently, there are also tests you can take which use the swab method in case your spit level is low.
Once you fill the tube to the required height, you remove the funnel that you spit in to, and screw on a cap with a blue liquid in it. When you screw it down tightly enough, the liquid starts flowing into the tube with your spit. At this point, you shake the tube for five seconds to mix the two liquids together. The solution has now stabilized your DNA, and it is ready to be shipped off to Ancestry’s lab.
Ancestry’s DNA lab is located not far from us in Sandy, Utah, so it only took a day for the lab to receive and acknowledge receipt of our tests. While that part of the process only took a day, it was well over two weeks before for the samples hit processing and another three days for extraction. Once I received notice of that, I went online to discover that my results are still a good month away. What am I expecting to find?
My brother had his DNA tested over four years ago. At the time, he was somewhat disappointed. He assumed that since our last name is Swedish, that the Scandinavian DNA would be high. Our heritage on paper consists of ancestors mainly from the British Isles and about ¼ from Sweden. The Scandinavia total came in at 17% which was a little less than I had expected but pretty consistent with our family configuration as I have researched it. Mix that together with a splattering of Russia, Finland, Italy, Ireland, Greece, and a pinch of Melanesia, and you have my brother.
My daughter has also had her DNA tested, and that immediately identified my brother from the database as a “cousin.” Her numbers were similar to my brothers, only less Scandinavia. What I am expecting is that my DNA results will land somewhere between those two tests. I would expect to have 17-20% Scandinavia and a strong western Europe with Great Britain, as well as all the other possibilities.
My husband? According to his father’s research, the family traveled through Prussia at some point. It wouldn’t surprise me if that is a strong showing in his DNA. Another area that could be high is Ireland since his mother’s family is from there. But there are all the other possibilities that could come forward in the testing. Will it include Mediterranean? Eastern Europe? The field is certainly wide open where he is concerned.
Since it could be at least another month before we have results, I can’t be totally sure of who we really are. With a bit of luck, we will still be who we think we are!