Thursday, October 17, 2013

NEW Ancestry DNA results with better ethnicity

If you haven't heard, Ancestry DNA is in the process of refiguring everyone's DNA with new technology, giving better results. There is a little 2 minute video that comes up explaining more when you get your new results.

Look back: My results were that I am 61% Scandinavian and 38% British Isles with 1% unknown.
You can see my previous blog post to see that this seemed a little too high in Scandinavian and where is my German? I should be over half German.

New results:

That's right. I am 100% European. My ancestors were immigrants, mostly from northern Europe, and most likely did not own slaves. If they owned slaves, you'd think there might be a trace of African-American. The fact that I am NOT African-American is supported by my research and my extremely white (burns easily) appearance.
Okay, so Scandinavian is still high with 48%. Dad's ancestry must come through me A LOT. My Jorgensen grandfather should've been 100% Danish. When one clicks on each region, it gives more information. For example, Scandinavia is mostly Sweden, Norway and Denmark but could also be found in Great Britain, Scotland, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. From what I've found, I'm thinking my Scandinavian is mostly from Denmark.
Ireland is next. My great-grandmother Katherine (Dacy) Regnier was Irish as her parents immigrated from Ireland. So this makes sense.
Europe West includes France and Germany mainly, and some smaller surrounding countries. My Regnier ancestors came from France, and my Hanks and Seggerman from Germany. My Seggerman grandfather should've been 100% German; he even spoke a little German when I was little.
Great Britain includes my Mayflower ancestors and my ancestors with surnames Foster, Lindsey and Gardner.
I don't think I should have any ancestry in "Europe East", but Ancestry lists Germany as an also located country so maybe that's where that comes in.
I also don't think I should have any ancestry from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain & Portugal), but Ancestry lists France as an also located country so maybe that's where that small amount comes in.
And I have traced NO ancestors back to Italy or Greece, but again Ancestry lists France as an also located country so maybe that's where that tiny amount comes in.
Or perhaps I need to do more research and maybe WAY back I'll find some Italian or Greek ancestor. I do love Italian food.
I do like this breakdown better and it seems to better match what I think it should be. It would be interesting to see what other relatives have, like my mom.
Now to go look at my matches, which hopefully they have improved too!

Disclosure: I am not an Ancestry employee, and I paid for my DNA test just like anyone else can. As a subscriber, I think a discount was offered. There are other DNA tests which show ethnicity from other companies, so this is not an endorsement. I receive no money from Ancestry for this post.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Friday's Faces from the Past: Husband's ancestor Nellie Armina (Richert) Foresman



This is a photo of Nellie Armina (Richart) Foresman. She is an ancestor of my husband.
Nellie was born August 22, 1870 in Hancock County, Illinois to Oscar Emmet and Caroline (Ramsey) Richart.
She married James Piatt Foresman on March 28, 1893 in Dallas City, Hancock County, Illinois. To this union, six children were born, 3 boys and 3 girls, namely Harry Oscar Foresman, Lloyd Emmet Foresman, Hugh Richart Foresman, Ruth Irene Foresman, Bessie Loraine Foresman, and Mary Louese Foresman.
Nellie passed away July 18, 1936 in Niota, Hancock County, Illinois and is buried in the Harris Cemetery (near Dallas City) in Hancock County, Illinois.
Through Nellie is where I found my husband's Mayflower ancestor, so I do have marriage license and death certificate for her, as well as this photo which I scanned in at my father-in-law's and her gravestone photo.
She is quite a pretty young lady; I do not know when this photo was taken although my guess would be around the time of her marriage.
Please contact me if you are related to this family. Thanks for reading.