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23 and me, Alberta, ancestors, Calgary, Canada, Diana Schwenk, DNA, family, Germany, growing up, History, Hump Day Chronicles, life, physical traits, Relationships, Vikings
Do you ever wonder where your physical traits come from? I sure do.
I mean I can look at my parents and see where my blue eyes come from and whose teeth I have and so on, but I’ve always wondered about my weird-looking chubby knees that seem to be prevalent on my mom’s side of the family.
‘Unique knees,’ an old boyfriend tactfully called them once.
“They look like they bend backwards when you’re standing, like you’re double-jointed,” my friend Helga once said.
Outside of mom’s family, I have never seen anyone with legs like mine. Well once I did. I was in the Dominican Republic with Mom and there was a family there; a mom and dad with two teenagers and they ALL had legs like mine! They were from Norway or Finland or Iceland or something.
They were tall, blond, blue-eyed and looked like Vikings! But it was their legs that caught my attention!
Look Mom! They have legs like us!
Are they the descendants of Vikings, I wondered? Am I a descendant of Vikings? It would sure explain a lot about parts of my personality!
I know my grandmother’s family came from Sweden, so maybe, right? Anyway, I got it in my head that I’m a Viking ever since I saw that family in the DR.
So I finally broke down and ordered a DNA kit from 23 and me.
I can’t wait to find out if I’m a Viking or not.
And I will keep you posted!
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Have you ever sent away for a DNA kit? Do you know where your ancestors came from? If so, let me know in the comment section!
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Jean said:
Well, let us know Diana. Have I questioned being..Chinese or Asian? I am willing to believe that centuries back I might have something non-Chinese, maybe from 1 of the ethnic minorities in China but that’s several hundred km. away even a thousand. People in villages were very restricted in their travel in China.
Or from neighbouring countries. But highly doubtful Caucasian prior to my grandparents..China was quite insular to the West and to even India. My family tree most likely is highly focused in southern China
This is a matter is central to me… in terms of family dynamics because I have 3 sisters of whom 2 have 4 children in total that are biracial..Chinese-white. I believe on the Caucasian side it’s Irish, British and whatever else.
I have lost a sister who’s 2 adult children no longer have their mother. The link to their Asian-Chinese side is through their mother’s family –myself and my family. So Diana, I try to tell some family stories..through my blog.
I watched part of the clip and will say that our family has lived through enormous self-examination because a long time ago, my parents opposed the lst interracial marriage in the family. It took several years before parents came around…
Hope you visit from time to time.
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dianasschwenk said:
It would be amazing to know your roots further back Jean, don’t you think? I am sorry for the loss of your sister. Whenever you can, you might share stories of her with her children. I know I love to hear stories that others have about my dad. ❤
Diana xo
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Jean said:
Thx for your kind thoughts, Diana.
In a way, because of language barriers (inability to read Chinese or speak/understand much of it), it would be hard to collect that information anymore going back in time. I only know my roots as far back as great-grandfathers. That’s all. https://cyclewriteblog.wordpress.com/2016/10/16/teenager-helps-father-sponsor-relatives-to-immigrate-to-canada/ I mentioned it towards last part of this blog post.
I went through an enormous journey of self-discovery in my 20’s to understand how Chinese mainland political and social revolution affected my family tree, their journeys to Canada and how Canadian history also affected entry points to enter into our country.
So blood lineage /ancestry is less important to me vs. how large historical events can profoundly affect familial migration and residence worldwide over the past 150 years.
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dianasschwenk said:
I just went over to your blog to read that post Jean – amazing story!
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utesmile said:
That sounds exciting, Viking or not, you are our unique Diana!
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dianasschwenk said:
Aww thanks Ute, I will! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Ooh, I can’t wait to hear the results. Please keep us posted. The Vikings came to Newfoundland too – might I be a descendant as well? 😉 ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
You know Jennifer…I wondered exactly the same thing! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
Apparently, Kelland is a name common to southern England though, so perhaps not.
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dianasschwenk said:
hmm maybe an English boy married a Viking… 😉 and also, in Europe there seems to be a lot of nationality sharing… did you see the video Val left in the comments?
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Chatter Master said:
Oh YES YES YES!!!!!! I always wondered. Then I went to Ireland (I mean I knew my heritage) but I SAW my heritage there. 🙂 I can’t wait to read your results.
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dianasschwenk said:
Well I know mine too. My parents are from Berlin but they sure interbreed in Europe over the ages! Did you see the video Val posted in the comments Colleen? ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
No, I’ll have to check it!
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Healing Grief said:
My Mum did this test last year Diana and we were surprised to discover we were 75% Irish, even though my grandfather was German. My Dads side is English, so we are very multi-cultural ha! I would say you are 100% uniquely beautiful Diana, inside and out! 😀💚
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dianasschwenk said:
Ha! I’m trying to picture you in lederhosen and a kilt now! Thanks for your kind words, I would say the same about you Karen. ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
To be sure dear Diana, to be sure!! 🍀
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joannerambling said:
No vikings in my family well not that I know of would be cool if there was though
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dianasschwenk said:
You just never know Jo-Anne! ❤
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
This is fun and interesting Diana! I love this European Video 💛315″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/tyaEQEmt5ls” frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen>
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Val Boyko said:
or here
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dianasschwenk said:
I’ve seen this before Val and it’s deeply moving. Thank you for sharing it here. ❤
Diana xo
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Diana, Keep us posted. Intrigued!
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
Will do Alan. ❤
Diana xo
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Ann Koplow said:
I ordered a DNA kit last year. Even though there were no surprises, it was still fun! And I wonder where my physical urge to blog comes from?!
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dianasschwenk said:
So, are you Scottish Ann? Don’t know where your urge for blogging comes from, just glad it comes! ❤
Diana xo
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Louise Gallagher said:
What a cool idea! And no, I’ve never but now… you’re put a thought into my head and it’s sticking! 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Do it Louise and we can compare notes! ❤
Diana xo
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vanbytheriver said:
Be prepared for a few surprises, Diana. Of course, you could be a Viking…and so much more. Keep us posted.
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dianasschwenk said:
I’m excited, no matter the result Van! ❤
Diana xo
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