Deciding to Submit a DNA Test

In a past post of mine, I was debating the value of DNA testing in genealogy. When Ancestry offered their test for $69, I placed my order. The test kit will take a week or so to get here, and then I have to send it back in. Results come in a month or two.

The AncestryDNA test is an autosomal DNA analysis which looks at a person's overall DNA makeup, examing his or her genome at 700,000 locations. Ancestry says that I can expect to learn "information about your ethnicity across 26 regions/ethnicities and identify potential relatives through DNA matching to others who have taken the AncestryDNA test".

The 26 regions, using Ancestry's region names, include those that I am certain I am descended from, such as Europe West (which includes Germany) and Great Britain (including England and Scotland), and those that I expect smaller amounts, such as Ireland and Scandinavia. I've speculated about some amounts from Europe East (Some of those German ancestors of mine lived in present day Poland). And my Squibb family name may have derived from Spanish, Esquivel. If that is the case there could be some Iberian Peninsula ethnicity showing up. I think Jewish ancestry is always a possibility with Europeans. Will I see any Europe Jewish or even Middle East ancestry?

I won't be surprised at seeing any of the European regions on my DNA. I will be surprised to see any American Indian, African, Asian or Pacific Islander. But maybe the word surprise is a bit strong. I just don't expect any of those. In actuality, my known genealogy has too many holes, and perhaps too many mistakes, for me to be totally confident of my ethnic makeup. Genealogy can only go back so far. The trail of records we rely on runs out after a few centuries. But our DNA is our makeup. DNA extends the trail, but only in a more general way. For now at least.

The other benefit is in sharing results with others. Perhaps I will find other relatives, or confirm known relationships. Maybe I'll have to put more of my tree up on Ancestry to get the benefit from this. Finding someone who I share DNA with, doesn't tell me how we are related.

Now the wait. I'll post my results in a couple of months.

And for some fun. My prediction:

40% Europe West (Mesenbrink, Van Gundy, Flier)
30% Great Britain (Stephenson, Davis, Squibb)
10% Irish (Brennan and suspected numerous others)
5% Europe East (Nipkow)
5% Scandinavian (Friend - could be Finnish/Russian too)
5% Europe Jewish (Were Squibbs and Cowan's Jewish migrants?)
5% Iberian Peninsula (Squibb name from Esquivel?)