Somerset DNA

Born and bred in Somerset? Are you sure?  Have you ever considered taking a DNA test for genealogy purposes?

We have seen an upsurge in interest recently, with programmes such as Long Lost Family and Who Do You Think You Are? Being shown on mainstream television.

There are lots of reasons for taking a test. If you have come across brick walls in your family tree, or if you want to know more about your predicted ethnic make-up are just two. 

A pauper can become a prince, the recent episode of Who Do You Think You Are which featured popular actor and soap star Danny Dyer showed he was related directly to royalty, and to Henry VIII's chief minister Thomas Cromwell. 

Below is my own DNA results (with names removed) showing ranges of matches from 3rd-4th cousins, then 4th-8th cousins.  Some of these people I have met purely by being a genealogist and together we have build a wonderful family history.  Look in the top right corner, this is the first page of 105 pages.  Each page has 50 individuals, so all in all, over 5000 matches!

 Image courtesy of Ancestry.com.  Edited by the Author.

A friend kindly shared her ethnicity with me so we could compare.  We were both born in Somerset.  I knew I wasn't 100% British as my mother was born in Europe.  My friend knew very little about her own family history and her rather surprising results began her on a new genealogical journey.

My own DNA results clearly showing my European side. 

 

A friends DNA results showing Scandinavian and Irish 'hits' which she had no idea about.

The test we both took was autosomal.  This can be taken by men and women as it looks at what you inherited from both parents.  It throws out a net which covers roughly 8 generations of your ancestors including cousins.

So maybe you'll be the next 'Danny Dyer' and discover some family history you were unaware of, or even meet new unbeknown to you, relatives.

You only need to find what genealogists refer to as a gateway ancestor to find you are related to royalty. It is fairly easy to do a DNA test, you can choose one where you spit into a tube or scrape the inside of your cheek. It is then sent back to the lab where they process it. If you use one of the larger, commercial companies they will match you with other people you share genetic material with, from parents through to 8th cousins. So you may find family you never knew you had.

Give your mum a gift for mothers day, or just treat yourself to a kit today while the 20% off promotion is still on. As new people test you will be matched with more and more relatives, so it is the gift that keeps giving.

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/dna/

IMPORTANT NOTE:  You DO NOT need a paid subscription to Ancestry.com for DNA testing, however will need to register

If you have any questions or queries feel free to Contact Me

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http://www.somersetgenealogy.uk.com/