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That's an interesting thought. Does that tell you of your country origins though? I don't see how that would tell what my geographical heritage would be.
Quote:
Originally Posted by slowlane3
If you can afford the cost, then have your DNA analyzed. Like Oprah Winfrey did and reported the results on her show.
That's an interesting thought. Does that tell you of your country origins though? I don't see how that would tell what my geographical heritage would be.
I don't know if it will tell you specifically what country but it can at least narrow it down to regions. Emmitt Smith took the DNA test on the show "Who Do You Think You Are?" and it was able to tell him what part of Africa he was from - I don't think it narrowed it down a specific African country but I can't be sure.
What part of the world we are from is a part of our DNA - after all, location/our ancestors location determines what physical features and characteristics we have and that is a part of our DNA.
At times, people ask me what my origins are, to which I reply, "I don't know" Now, this is kind of embarassing for me since everyone else seems to know if they are part-Irish, Scottish, French, Native American, Italian, etc, etc.
But, I have no idea of my heritage. I am black, so people assume I am of African descent. But, I am pretty sure there could been dark-skinned people from other parts of the world besides Africa. My question is, how do I begin to find out what my heritage is? One parent is deceased, and the other does not have any helpful information. And my parents had me at an older age, so many of my parents' relatives are gone.
I'm not sure of those geneology sites and how how reliable they are. Any thing I can do??
If you sport supercurly/kinky hair, your nose appears broad and short, and your skin is caramel to prune colored, then you are highly likely to be from African origins.
This is neither embarrassing or demeaning. Africa is the well spring of humanity from the beginning of time. EVERYONE'S ancestors came from there either a million or two years ago. African-Americans, specifically as a group, have bloodlines that also include European and Native American. We are a tribe that is uniquely American and the culture we evolved continues to inspire and influence the world. We are blood relatives to virtually every Western European, West African, and American Indian nation by an accident of history.
That being said you could also be related to any Asian, Latin, or Caribbean whose past or recent ancestors touched America. Whatever you find in your search be inspired that you are the result of complex historical events, and be proud that you are a thinking, feeling human being.
Personally I have always been proud of my African, Scots, Irish, Cherokee, Yakhi, Choctaw, English, Jewish heritage. My complex makeup and my widely varied looking family members have always reminded me to feel a connection to every person I encounter.
Last edited by tcrackly; 06-16-2011 at 10:19 AM..
Reason: misspelling
Thanks, I am not ashamed or embarassed if my roots are African, but I wonder if there are other countries that are part of my heritage also. There are black people that have European roots as well as African, etc. It would just be nice to know my complete heritage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tcrackly
If you sport supercurly/kinky hair, your nose appears broad and short, and your skin is caramel to prune colored, then you are highly likely to be from African origins.
This is neither embarrassing or demeaning. Africa is the well spring of humanity from the beginning of time. EVERYONE'S ancestors came from there either a million or two years ago. African-Americans, specifically as a group, have bloodlines that also include European and Native American. We are a tribe that is uniquely American and the culture we evolved continues to inspire and influence the world. We are blood relatives to virtually every Western European, West African, and American Indian nation by an accident of history.
That being said you could also be related to any Asian, Latin, or Caribbean whose past or recent ancestors touched America. Whatever you find in your search be inspired that you are the result of complex historical events, and be proud that you are a thinking, feeling human being.
Personally I have always been proud of my African, Scots, Irish, Cherokee, Yakhi, Choctaw, English, Jewish heritage. My complex makeup and my widely varied looking family members have always reminded me to feel a connection to every person I encounter.
I don't know if it will tell you specifically what country but it can at least narrow it down to regions. Emmitt Smith took the DNA test on the show "Who Do You Think You Are?" and it was able to tell him what part of Africa he was from - I don't think it narrowed it down a specific African country but I can't be sure.
What part of the world we are from is a part of our DNA - after all, location/our ancestors location determines what physical features and characteristics we have and that is a part of our DNA.
I don't know if it will tell you specifically what country but it can at least narrow it down to regions. Emmitt Smith took the DNA test on the show "Who Do You Think You Are?" and it was able to tell him what part of Africa he was from - I don't think it narrowed it down a specific African country but I can't be sure.
I believe his ancestry (at least some) went back to Benin, and he even went back there to see the area from which he originated.
I believe his ancestry (at least some) went back to Benin, and he even went back there to see the area from which he originated.
He did but I'm just always aware of the fact that modern boundaries are not always the same in history - so they may tell you "you're from an area which is now mostly Benin" or something like that but the original region may have expanded beyond just that country - the borders may have been very different or there may have been no defined borders at all. It's important to keep that in mind when doing genealogy research.
While the paper records could not get Emmitt back to his ancestors in Africa, his DNA could tell him that he did indeed have at least a few white relatives in his family tree, and that his African ancestry from both his mother and father traced back to the area around Benin, on Africa’s “Slave Coast.” His emotional trip to an African village there really completed his journey of discovery.
Note they say "to the area AROUND Benin", not necessarily Benin itself. The region they are referring to probably spilled over into neighboring countries too.
He did but I'm just always aware of the fact that modern boundaries are not always the same in history - so they may tell you "you're from an area which is now mostly Benin" or something like that but the original region may have expanded beyond just that country - the borders may have been very different or there may have been no defined borders at all. It's important to keep that in mind when doing genealogy research.
Note they say "to the area AROUND Benin", not necessarily Benin itself. The region they are referring to probably spilled over into neighboring countries too.
Of course. There is modern-day Benin, and there is what used to be Dahomey, and there is the area near the Bight of Benin where the Fon and Yoruba people live, which is now part of Benin, Togo and Nigeria.
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