Do you have your grandfather’s chin? Do your freckles make you think you are Irish? Can you recall your great grandmother’s name? Are most of your relatives from one country?

Genealogy can be interesting and fun, especially if you have a good foundation of biological relatives. There’s something so intriguing about learning the history of your ancestors. But what if it’s not as easy as asking your kin about your great grandparents and tracing the origin of your surname? 

My mother was the product of a closed adoption. It was difficult to know if our poor eyesight was a direct cause of her biology, or if she had experienced a natural event that had led to her condition. We were also unaware if we carried the precursors in our DNA for certain illnesses.

In my state, adoption records were released up to a certain year. I paid the fee, and my mother learned the names of some of her relatives. It amazed me that my mother was seated by her biological father when he was an usher in her hometown’s movie theater. Even more interesting was that she had lived three houses away from her half-sister, and they had been close friends until she moved! 

For several years, I was satisfied with the information I had gathered from the records. However, when our beloved biological aunt passed away, I feared that my mother and I would know little more about our ancestry.

I decided to dip a toe in my genetic pool to find out what might be swimming in my past. I chose a popular genetic testing company because the business claimed to continually update results. I decided that I wanted to align myself with a corporation that never stopped learning and growing.

I ordered my kit, waited an hour without eating or drinking before I used it, spit into a tube, and sent it in the mail. I received my online results in less than a month.

My freckles were explained by my heavy Scotch/Irish pedigree. Some of my ancestors were also English and Scandinavian. I was a little disappointed that my high cheek bones did not result from a Native American ancestor. Would it have killed my predecessors to have procreated with someone who could have kept me from frying in the sun?

In addition, the test revealed a close cousin. He contacted me, and we were able to discover our connection. He is an interesting person that I would never have known without the DNA test.

What issues arise now that genetic testing is available to the public? Obviously, it could point to certain relatives who have decided to remove family members from their lives. It could also lead a child to an unsuspecting man who received a small fee and a handshake for half of his chromosomes. What do you do in those instances?

Luckily, everyone in my DNA community has been kind and helpful. Once I explain my mother’s adoption, they understand our connection, and they have helped me navigate the voluminous information in the public family trees.

Another service the company provided was a health scan for certain inherited conditions. I paid an additional fee, and my sample was introduced to that system to examine my genetic risks.

They were unable to look at every inherited condition, but I was thankful that I do not have indicators on my DNA that point to hereditary breast or ovarian cancers, and I am not a carrier of cystic fibrosis.  Remarkably, the test uncovered that I have rings in my irises, and I am extra sensitive to bitter tastes. Who knew there was a real reason that Brussels (yes, “Brussels”) sprouts disgusted me! 

This area of genetic testing raises some concerns, as well. What if your sample indicates that you have a larger chance for certain conditions or illnesses? I don’t know about you, but if I would have had a greater genetic risk factor for breast cancer, I would have spent the rest of my life wondering if fibrous tissue had finally turned into a beginning lump. However, it is a good tool to use if you plan to take preventative measures.

There are some drawbacks to DNA testing, but the results can be enlightening and fascinating. I am so glad that I decided to dig up my roots. Now, multiple generations stand firmly on the branches of my family tree.

So, if you have ever been curious about your lineage, but you have little or no biological foundation, you should consider DNA testing. I encourage you to identify the predecessor who braved the ocean to establish roots in another country or find the relative who passed down their caterpillar eyebrow.

Learn and grow, my friends!