Why I Am Grateful For The Ancestry DNA Kit
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Why I Am Grateful For The Ancestry DNA Kit

The kit answered questions that I had for years.

28
Why I Am Grateful For The Ancestry DNA Kit
Rachel Burgess

I was adopted when I was six years old. I don't remember much about my life before that and my memories seem to come back in fragments. They aren't in any order, they will just flash in and out from time to time.

I have never really known much about my background. One person said I was Hispanic, others said Native American, and others said Russian. I didn't know which one was true. It was a silent struggle that I dealt with. It was hard to hear other kids say "I'm German" or "I'm Hispanic" or "I'm Polish." And when asked what I was, I would say, "I don't know. My biological family never told us." For me, my history was just a blur. I can't say for a fact that all adopted children feel this, but I didn't feel whole. When we had to do family trees, I would be confused. Do I use the family that I am blood related to? Or do I use the family that has raised me and loved me? I felt like I didn't know a part of my identity. I didn't really tell anyone just because it didn't really matter. I was a part of a family that truly loved me and my biological family didn't want me so I never thought of them. Plus, by the some weird coincidence, I just happen to look a lot like the parents I have now and have loved for basically my whole life.

Then this year, my parents decided to have me take the Ancestry DNA Test. I was extremely excited to take it because I would finally have answers.

To take the test you need to put your spit in this little tube and then send it back in. I think the waiting for the results to come back was the most nerve-racking part. For thirteen years I never knew what made up my biological make up. And as someone who absolutely loves history, I couldn't wait.

I don't remember how long it took(the box said it would be 6-8 weeks but I think it was shorter than that). When my mom got the email that my results were in, I was a ball of nerves. We were finally going to see what I was. I remember chewing my lip in anticipation as the web page loaded. And when it finally showed, holy cow were we surprised.

This was breakdown:

54% Great Britain

16% Europe West (Germany, France, Switzerland)

16% Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, Finland)

8% Irish

1% Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal)

1% Europe East (Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus, Hungry; to name a few)

1% Italy/Greece

<1% Finland/Northwest Russia

2% North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt)

Oh my gosh. Not one bit of me is American. The biggest shock was the Great Britain. According to Ancestry, I could pass as a native of England.

I like to joke around and say "This explains my obsession with their history" or "This is why I like my tea so much" or "Maybe this is why I like fruit and cheese" (It is a typical English combo. I have an uncle who is from England).

This test answered a lot for me. Now, I can say "I'm British!" instead of saying "I don't know." Since finding out the results, I've really looked into British history and culture. It's awesome for me to know and learn about what my biological make up is. That "hole" that I felt has been filled.

I highly recommend doing this if you are wondering at all. But do it during a sale period. The kit is pretty expensive.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

934532
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

111124
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less
New Year Resolutions

It's 2024! You drank champagne, you wore funny glasses, and you watched the ball drop as you sang the night away with your best friends and family. What comes next you may ask? Sadly you will have to return to the real world full of work and school and paying bills. "Ah! But I have my New Year's Resolutions!"- you may say. But most of them are 100% complete cliches that you won't hold on to. Here is a list of those things you hear all around the world.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Ultimate Birthday: Unveiling the Perfect Day to Celebrate!

Let's be real, the day your birthday falls on could really make or break it.

61463
​different color birthday candles on a cake
Blacksburg Children's Museum

You heard it here first: birthdays in college are some of the best days of your four years. For one day annually, you get to forget about your identity as a stressed, broke, and overworked student, and take the time to celebrate. You can throw your responsibilities for a day, use your one skip in that class you hate, receive kind cards and gifts from loved ones and just enjoy yourself.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments