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23 and me, ancestors, Balkans, British, Diana Schwenk, DNA, family, French, German, haplogroups, Hump Day Chronicles, Irish, Jewish, neanderthal, Relationships, roots, science
I told you!
Well I’m 6.1% Scandinavian and that’s where Vikings come from right? I was somewhat expecting this as my paternal grandmother’s family came from Sweden.
As you’ve probably guessed, my DNA results are in!!
There were a few surprises. For instance, I’m only 14.9% German. Well French and German to be exact. I guess I had assumed I would have a larger percentage of German Ancestry because both my parents were born in Berlin, and as far as I know, their parents were born in Germany. When I think about it though, there had to be a lot of interbreeding in Europe, even in the last 1000 years with constant border changes because of wars and such.
Just a few months ago I had told my daughter that I’d read an article that said all blue-eyed people could be traced back to one individual who lived by the Black Sea between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. And she told me that because I have freckles, I probably have some Irish ancestry. I dismissed the Irish thing; I mean why would I have Irish roots?
Well surprise! I’m 8.6% British and Irish!
Most fascinating to me was that I am 1.8% Ashkenazi Jewish. In the preceding link, Wikipedia states that among many other interesting facts: The name Ashkenazi derives from the biblical figure of Ashkenaz, the first son of Gomer, son of Khaphet, son of Noah, and a Japhetic patriarch in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10).
I’m also 3% Neanderthal!
Neanderthals were a group of humans who lived in Europe and Western Asia. They are the closest evolutionary relatives of modern humans, but they went extinct about 40,000 years ago. The first Neanderthals arrived in Europe about 200,000 years ago. Neanderthals – Homo Neanderthalensis and modern humans – Homo sapiens – lived alongside each other for thousands of years. Genetic evidence suggests that they interbred and although Neanderthals disappeared about 40,000 years ago, traces of the DNA – between 1 percent and 4 percent – are found in all modern humans outside of Africa.
I remember watching a documentary once that suggested Neanderthals carried certain immunities to diseases in Europe that modern humans lacked. Interbreeding played a huge role in ensuring the continuation of modern humans in Europe.
DNA Relatives
My top relative Surnames (of people who have also had their DNA tested) are Cohen, Kaplan, Goldberg, Friedman and Katz. I’m just going to go ahead and assume I’m distantly related to Leonard Cohen, because I adore him!
My Maternal Haplogroup
According to 23 and me, I have ancestry in Europe/the Near East in the past few hundred years, that traces back to eastern Africa around 50,000 years ago along my mother’s line.
My daughter, me, my mother, her mother and so on belong to the Haplogroup U5a1B1. The U5 Haplogroup is found in approximately 9% of Europeans.
The U5a1 group originated in Europe during the Ice Age about 20,000 years ago. At the time people were confined to small refuges in the southern part of the continent. When the glaciers began receding about 15,000 years ago people began migrating northward, carrying U5a1 and other haplogroups with them. Today U5a1 is most commonly found in places such as Norway and northern Germany. Other members of the U5a1 haplogroup moved south into the Near East, perhaps in search of a warmer, more hospitable climate than the dry, glaciated tundra of Ice Age Europe. Today their maternal descendants can be found at low levels (less than 2%) in Turkey, Iran and Syria.
This is all very fascinating to me. 23 and Me shares the profiles of people, who have given their permission and are DNA relatives of mine, with me.
I’m still working my way through all the results of my DNA, and perhaps when I understand it a bit better, I may reach out to some of my 3rd to 6th cousins who live in the locations stated to the left!
In my next post I will share a bit about my health overview (traits, genetic risk factors, and inherited conditions).
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Have you ever thought about submitting your DNA to find out your ancestry or to look for lost relatives? If not, have I tempted you to do so with this post?
Related article: A Journey Back in Time
Pingback: My Genetic Health Overview and Traits | talktodiana
utesmile said:
That is amazing and so interesting, I bet it is lots to read, but so fascinating!
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dianasschwenk said:
It is, but as you say, so fascinating Ute! ❤
Diana xo
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roughwighting said:
Fun! I think if everyone got a DNA test, they’d realize that we’re ALL related, somehow. Then there would be more love in the world. ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
There can never be too much Love! ♡
Diana xo
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Sheryl said:
Fascinating . . . it’s interesting how many different countries and groups were represented in your profile.
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes it is and so many surprises Sheryl! ♡
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
My husband and I are talking about this right now! We both want to do it and your post just motivates me more!!!
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dianasschwenk said:
Oh wow! Well if you do it, I hope you’ll share it on your blog! ❤
Diana xo
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Chatter Master said:
Absolutely Diana. I think we have been inspired by you 🙂
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Alan A. Malizia: Contagious Optimism! Co-Author said:
Congrats Diana! It’s good to know you are descended from upright walking people who were not dragging their knuckles on the ground.
Amazing info!
-Alan
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dianasschwenk said:
I find it very fascinating – thanks Alan! ❤
Diana xo
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Healing Grief said:
I think we should all participate in a DNA test. Our family were so surprised to find we were 75% Irish, even with German grandparents. If we all knew how connected we were to one another, there would def be less wars!! I can see you as a Viking Diana, strong warrior woman and every other part of you sounds perfect ! 💞
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dianasschwenk said:
Yes, I agree we are all connected Karen. Thanks for your kind comment. ❤
Diana xo
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russtowne said:
Fascinating! Your post reminds me once again how small the blue marble on which we live really is.
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dianasschwenk said:
No kidding Huh? Thanks for sharing my little corner of it with me Russ. ♡
Diana xo
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Val Boyko said:
Love it Diana! You have lots of strong roots from the past. ❤️
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dianasschwenk said:
Thanks Val – it’s so interesting for Me! ♡
Diana xo
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cyclingrandma said:
Fascinating. I’m pretty sure I’m 100% eastern European. (Askenazi Jewish)
There wasn’t much mixing when my grandparents were young.
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dianasschwenk said:
you should try it Lisa, you could be surprised by the results! ❤
Diana xo
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Jennifer Kelland Perry said:
You are really quite a mix, aren’t you, Diana? Part Viking, yes! Related to Leonard Cohen, yes! Good stuff! And that’s so interesting about us blue-eyed folks too. 🙂 ❤
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dianasschwenk said:
Well…I’m just assuming Jennifer…wishful thinking… ❤
Diana xo
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andy1076 said:
Alright! Viking helmet for you! that’s fun to find out about 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
It is very interesting Andy. My daughter is doing it too, I cannot wait to see her results! ❤
Diana xo
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andy1076 said:
I bet! maybe even another strand too, never know 🙂
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dianasschwenk said:
Well there is her whole dad’s side!
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andy1076 said:
Ya! 😀
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Louise Gallagher said:
Ok — so now you’re convincing me to do it!
Always knew you were fascinating! It’s in your DNA.
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dianasschwenk said:
Do it and please share the results if you do Louise! I have a feeling you are very International! ♡
Diana xo
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Denise Hisey said:
Isn’t it interesting?
I did 23 and me a few years ago too.
After reading your post I want to go re-read my results.
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dianasschwenk said:
It is super interesting Denise! What’s your Ancestry? ♡
Diana xo
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Denise Hisey said:
I was always told “25% Swede, 25% Swiss and 50% Heinz 57” But I can’t remember what my report said. LOL I need to pull it out and re read it!
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dianasschwenk said:
so pretty fair hair and light blue eyes?
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