DNA and me!

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                                 The last few blog posts were all about heritage and my family tree and this one will also deal a bit about it. But, the BIG difference now involves the results of my DNA test from Ancestry. After a very long and impatient 9+ weeks, my raw data as well as estimated numbers on heritage arrived via email. The printed edition of this runs 55 pages and includes a lot of relevant information. Also was able to upload a Gedcom file as well as the raw data to a few other sources to dig up further ancestry. Here is a map of where my ancestors came from:

The largest part of 58% shows they came from Western Europe, which also includes the UK and Ireland. Next largest was 16% from Ireland, which also includes Scotland,Wales,England. Then, 13% from Italy/Greece and then that trickles down to 4,2 and 1% estimates from Iberia,S Asia and European Jewish. As of yet, none of those minor locations have been confirmed or found in my research through the family tree.

The Italian part is no doubt from my father's paternal side yet that also has been a difficult trail to follow, with nothing before 1884. The rest of the family has been a delight to research with new members added daily to the record. My lineage is primarily (if you go by sheer numbers of ancestors in those locations) Scottish, Irish, German, English, Welsh, Swiss, Dutch, Danish and French, the last three having only one or two people in those respective places. It is no surprise that the Scottish Irish, Welsh, German are there and in larger numbers as I feel so very Celtic and always have though also have that Italian lineage that calls to me. Sure, I'm more a mixture of all these various bits but the Isles are where my heart is and while I'm most certainly American first, it's no doubt that Scotland, Ireland,Wales and the Isles are a huge part of my soul. Now the digging begins as that Italian/Greek part needs to be discovered. Oh, I also sent away a DNA sample to 23 and Me, another company similar to Ancestry in determining the genealogy and genetic makeup of my heritage. I expect those results sometime in mid May.

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                                           After saving up a wee bit and selling off my ham radio equipment, I was able to secure a new passport in hopes of visiting Ireland sometime this year. Prices for flights are a bit expensive right now so I'm hoping to get enough funds to make it there this autumn. Prices hover around $750 for the flight and I'll need at least another $500 for the remaining expenses. Till then, I continue to dig into that part of my heritage as well. My family, part of the Campbell clan from Scotland, moved to northern Ireland near Londonderry and Donegal, to escape the kings henchmen as well as rival clans after the revolt in the mid 17th century. The family name was changed to Rhea from Campbell to escape the King's detectives. After a few generations or more in Ireland, a few eventually made their way t the New World and started life again in Maryland,Virginia,etc. So as far as clans go, I can claim lineage in Ross, Campbell, Kirkpatrick and Stuart so far. :-)

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