DNA Testing and Family Stories
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My husband made some positive changes in the group;
those changes were for the best and the membership started growing. That was in
2009 and the group continues to get new members and several visitors at each
monthly meeting. In the beginning, both my husband and I were getting questions
about DNA testing. We began to read about DNA testing and gathered as much
information that we could find about DNA. Both my husband and I had been
involved in genealogical research for ten years. We decided it was time to take
a DNA test. We were leaders of this group and we needed to learn about the
latest tool in genealogical research so we could teach members.
Both my husband and I dived into the DNA testing
“hoopla” taking the Family Finder autosomal and mitochondrial test with Family
Tree DNA Testing Company. My husband later took the YDNA with Ancestry DNA, and
a couple of years later took the YDNA test with Family Tree DNA. In 2012 I had
my brother tested for the 67 Marker YDNA Test. My husband and I both tested
with 23andMe DNA Testing company, and when Ancestry DNA was introduced to the
public we tested with that company. We then started a DNA Interest group (DIG
Group) for our area.
That was five years ago and the interest in DNA
testing continues to grow. The question asked the most is, “Which test do I
take?” The other question is, “Which company do I test with?” We prep new test takers with the information
they need such as: Why do you want to
DNA test? Have you researched your family lines? Do you have a pedigree chart
back at least 4 or 5 generations? Or do you know how to do genealogical
research? What do you want to learn from the test? What are you trying to
prove? The other tidbit of information
for the test taker that we remind them of is, a DNA test may reveal information
that you aren’t aware of, or family secrets. Are you prepared for that? Do you
know of family secrets? By informing members or nonmembers of this important
fact then they can prepare for the test results when it comes in.
My father was the results of a Misattributed Parentage Event, and
he was privy to this information. I will forever be thankful to my grandmother
for telling Daddy, when he was a little boy, about his biological father. Daddy
shared this information with my older sister and brother. When I ventured into
my new found hobby of genealogical research, my sister who is ten years older
than me said to me, “Now Fay you know Daddy’s daddy was Uncle Johnny Edwards?”
I dismissed this tidbit of information as a family tale, but it was tucked away
in my memory. When I hit the ultimate brick wall while researching my Eley
family, I decided it was time to look into YDNA testing. Maybe that will reveal new information that
will help me determine which Eley line is mine. When the test results came back
I looked at the results and didn’t have a clue how to analyze it. I had joined
the Eley DNA Project at that time. Later, an Edwards cousin contacted me to
find out about my brother’s YDNA 67 Marker Test results. After corresponding
with this new found Edwards cousin he educated me on the test results. He was
the Edwards Project Administrator. Then I recalled my sister Ruby’s tidbit of
family information. The test results confirmed my father’s biological father.
This information was very helpful in researching my
patrilineal line. It also helped me understand how important it is for
families to be truthful in sharing information. Family secrets can be hurtful
when the truth comes out, so it best to reveal the truth and get it out in the
open. In my immediate family this misattributed parentage event happened long ago.
My siblings and I are all right with the truth that
was revealed in testing my brother. The event that took place was many years
ago, and a different time period. It doesn’t change how we feel toward our
grandmother and our Edwards family. Only those who were involved knew the real
reason as to why this event took place. However, anyone when they decide to
delve into DNA testing, needs to understand, there may be information that
comes out in the test results that they aren’t aware of. There may be unknown
relationships that show up or there may be untold family stories that are
revealed. When you are aware of this information then you can decide if you
want to take a DNA test or not. When you
are aware of the possible outcome of the test then you are prepared for the
information that will be revealed in the results. I know from experience, it is
worth it to go ahead and DNA test. I realized this was not going to affect me
in any way, and I changed my research plan, laid the Eley plan aside, then researched
my Edwards patrilineal family. Working with my new found Edwards cousin my
Edwards genealogical research has been proven and Daddy has his rightful place
in the family tree. Our Edwards family has been revealed and proven to 1791
Virginia, and that is most likely where it will stay. I am not interested in going
“over the pond.” I am content with where I am in researching this particular family.
It wasn’t like the Edwards family were strangers to my
family; they weren’t. Our families visited and had family reunions, and stayed
in close contact. I have fond memories of the times our families visited and
shared reunions together.
When you DNA test and the results shows information
that surprises you, what will you do with it? You will either decide, not say
anything; or you will want to know the details of the story about this
particular event. You will make the decision to share the information or to
keep quiet about your new found information.
If you share the information with family, handle it carefully and be
sensitive to others and how they may react. Only you will know whether to
reveal or not reveal your new found information. ■
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