Son's DNA kicked this process off and got my curiosity heightened.
I recently had my son's DNA tested out of curiosity. I followed his belief that after he was tested, I'd know what my DNA was too. This was not the case. After Joey was tested, we read the results eagerly. The tests gives estimates and basically there is a leeway of 5 to 10 percent.
35% to 39% European Jew. Hey no surprise there right? This includes all regions found in Germany, France, Lithuania, Latvia Slovakia, Czech Republic, Romania, Bosnia, Serbia and Estonia.
8% Benin/Togo African which includes Ghana, Nigeria, and Mali. I figured that's got to be his father. Joey's dad is Dominican. 1% Senegal, the Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, and Guinea-Bissau are included here.
3% North African including Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Libya. Everyone I knew said, "Oh that's his Dad too.
Turns out he had about 10% Irish and English. Everyone thought that was me. I was like, no way - I'm not white like that.
A large 18% is Italian and Greece and 17% is Portugal and Spain.
3% from India.
Then there were traces of up to 3 percent each of Asia Central including Turkmenistan and Afghanistan DNA, 3% North American Indian DNA, plus Middle Eastern, formerly Persia, now known as Syria, Iraq, Jordan, Oman, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Israel, Iran, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia.
Now for my surprises!
Turns out I have no West European, English or Irish DNA.
No surprise either since Joey has 2 parents and he was 39% European Jew then that I'm 76% European Jew right?
I am 12% Italian and Greek. Primarily located in: Italy,
Greece
Also found in: France, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain,
Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Bosnia, Romania, Turkey, Slovenia,
Algeria, Tunisia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia, and Kosovo.
2% India DNA labeled Asia South and this includes India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Some 2 to 3 percent of Asia Central including those
regions Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan and Also found in: Iran, & Pakistan.
Some 2 percent Iberian Peninsula. Hmm, always thought I had some Sephardic blood and there we go, now a fact.
The 2 percent Middle Eastern (no surprise here) is me and may include his Dad too.
The 1 or 2 percent North African is also me, including DNA from the regions Morocco, Algeria, Egypt and Libya. I figure probably Jews I descended from were traveling Berbers there at some time.
Happy too that I was right that his Dominican Dad, Felix, was the one with the English and Irish DNA and that I knew right away I was the one who had South Asia DNA from India.
Yay! Now I know more about my history.
Did you know the Mormons will help you find out more about your ancestry for free. I plan to go once I'm up and around again.
Luckily for me, some of my father's people immigrated here from Eastern Europe in the 1890's having the foresight to see what was coming.
Other Upcoming News:
Now the partially bad news and good in another way. I am having hip replacement surgery at Columbia Presbyterian this coming Thursday, May 7th. I have been mostly disabled since ripping several ligaments and tendons from doing Pilates on the machine. I did 14 sessions between end of October 2014 and first week of January. Who knew Pilates could be so dangerous? Recently a friend told me she tried it and saw right away that you must have a very strong core and be strong to begin with to do Pilates.
At the New York Reforming Pilates center they encouraged me to do more and come more. I never realized the damage I was causing and thought the pain was caused by minor injuries like pulled muscles. By the time I realized the extent of the damage, it was too late and I could no longer walk. I continue to do the exercises taught to me in Physical Therapy but the right leg doesn't follow my brain's orders. You know how they say the leg's connected to the hip, but I never realized how much the hip controls the legs. At the Pilates center they make you sign a waiver too the minute you do anything there. I should have known better, but it also sounds like neglect on their part.
Most importantly, I ripped the Ligamentum Teres, which holds the hip joint in place. The Minimus Gluteus tendon also had partial tears as did many other things. The hip joint had some arthritis but 14 sessions of Pilates just did me in. I should have stuck with my yoga and when I am fully functionable again I will.
