I am seriously considering buying myself a gift, with Roger's blessing. And I would appreciate your input. I'm not sure how many of you stay up late at night, watching television. If you do, you might have seen Tuesday night's episode of ABC's Nightline. Well, it got my attention.As a sidenote, some of you may wonder why I read Heather Armstrong at Dooce. One reason is that she is funny, but the more poignant reason is that she is a former Mormon, like myself. I read about her struggles with the religion and immediately identified with her. This bit of information may seem irrelevant to this post, but trust - it will make sense in a minute.
As most of you know now, I was abandoned at birth, and have NO CLUE about my ethnicity. Tuesday night's show featured a story about a new company, called Genetree. This company, for $150, will send you a home kit for collecting DNA samples. After the customer sends the kit back, the company will run a DNA profile. Most other DNA companies I've heard about will tell your "general" heritage - European, Asian, African, etc. for around $300 - $400. But Genetree promises more - actual relatives. Countries of origin. An adoptee on the program knew nothing of his ethnicity - and always wondered if he was Greek, Italian, etc. He found out that his ancestral origins were Turkish.
Now, Mormons have the most extensive genealogical record database on the planet - but it is more like "family tree" stuff, b/c they believe in doing baptisms for the dead (long story). Non-Mormons research their families at the facilities in Salt Lake City, UT. So, I wasn't surprised that the founder of Genetree is a Mormon. Though I no longer can subscribe to their gospel - I am compelled to give this a shot.
I haven't ordered the test yet - but I am ready. Are you?
UPDATE - I have officially ordered the test. It may be a long wait, since it takes 3 to 6 weeks for delivery. Hang in there with me.
42 comments:
I am ready!! You should totally do this!! I want to do this someday too!
How did I miss that you are a former Mormon???? This fills in quite a few blanks for me. In fact, it speaks volumes.
I think you should do the test. You've always wondered, and I think it would give your heart some peace. Not that I think you're walking around incomplete. You are a remarkably strong woman for someone whose past is an unknown. I think this might give you some answers that have always niggled at your mind, though. Roger supports you; that's really all the "approval" you need, right?
Wow...that is very cool. And about the guy that didn't know whether he was Greek or Italian or what...well, he could have been as well, but descended from Turkish!! I say go for it!!
I would probably roll this around in my brain for a gazillion years 'cause that's the way I am, if it was for me. But for you? With your husband's approval?
Go for it!
I would do it if I were you. I have thought about it except for the cost. I would like to know my Indian (Native American) heritage. I believe that I am part Choctaw but my dad would never admit it and I am having a hard time getting information. I know I am but I haven't been able to prove it.
By the way, can you guess what is in my post for today?
I think you should totally do it! This test is designed for someone just like you!! I'd do it just because I think it is neat (even though I pretty much know my ancestral roots...but who knows, maybe there is something else in there I didn't know about)
If your biological heritage has been a question to you - this will give you an answer!
Cool post and nice pic Tigger. Cheers!!
You can email me at junebug57@gmail.com, ok?
I think you should go for it!
R.O.
I think you should do it! Sounds fascinating!
I should know my roots, but I don't. I came from a line of people that thought it was good to drop their heritage and just be American. It's not really working for me.
Wow. I think that's an amazing opportunity, if it works the way they say it does. I say go for it! Absolutely!
Absolutely ready for it:)!! This must be so exciting!!!
kaytabug - just go to genetree.com!
desert songbird - I am a complex of spirituality, that's for sure! And you're right - Roger says, "go do it," that's enough for me!
claudia - you know, that guy really made me want to do this!
junebug - I have to admit, the hubby helped a LOT with the guess! Knew what they were EXACTLY. And $150 is a lot better than $400, for sure.
karmyn r - maybe there is some "wild native" in that ancestry - it would be cool for everyone to do!
matt-man - you are too funny...sheesh.
R.O. - I think you are right.
beckie - well then, maybe you should do it, too?
melissa - I totally hope it works like they say...
tiger lamb girl - It was scary until Roger told me he would be okay, no matter WHAT I turned out to be!
I'm excited for you! I hope you get some answers out of it.
Go for it Tigger! It won't hurt to try it!
I'm hangin'! I'm hangin'!
Tig--The testing would be a lot cheaper in five years, which is when I'll do it. But because you are of unknown origins, this is more pressing. Do it.
I'm sure I'll find out that I'm half black on account of my anatomy. Oh well. I'll just take a deep breath and plunge in!
It's a brave new world. I bet you are part Native American.
Good luck to you my friend...We should all know our lineage and continue to pass it down to future generations
OMG, I am so glad you are doing this. I'm sure it'll answer a lot of questions for you. I'll be sure and come back for the results. It's so exciting, which is crazy, since it isn't about me. :-)
I think that is pretty cool!! I look forward to hearing the results. Ethnicity is really hard to understand sometimes. I don't really know mine either...as it depends on many factors and history of your family. All I know is that my grandfather came from either Germany or Austria..depending on where the border was. My grandma came from Poland. I'm not sure about my birth mom's side of the family. My parents divorced when I was 5 or 6.
kila - for the money, I hope I do, too.
caroline - yeah - should be interesting! I'll have to document the sample collection.
desert songbird - LOL!!
m@ - what if I'm Native American AND black? Might explain my dancing skills.
bond - I agree - I actually hope I'm Italian!
robinella - not crazy, if another blogger was doing this - I'd be fascinated!
sirdar - and I thought your name was Indian - go figure! I have a full geneaology (sp?) of my adoptive parents' family - but that doesn't help much.
I'm still thinking Greek...
This is so exciting! I am defiantly hanging in there. My Grandmother did a lot of genealogy before she passed away. I am very thankful. The only thing I want to do it for is to know one way or the other if there is Native American somewhere back there. There is no proof,except in the puddin' which in this case would be the DNA. I only want to know just to know. I don't want it to claim anything at all. It would also explain my feelings when I look at HOT Native Americans!!!
Sorry I got lengthy. I am with M@ that I bet you have some Native in you too! This will be so awesome for you to know some background, whatever it turns out to be!!
Unbelievable...and I don't blame you for wanting to know more. I can't wait to hear the results...
Wow....
Robin @ PENSIEVE
This sounds so cool. I think I'd like to do it, and I know most of my relatives.
desert songbird - That would explain the arm hair.
kaytabug - you are SO cracking me up with your "HOT Native Americans!" Is there a calendar I don't know about?
robin - I will let everyone know when I get my test...maybe I'll take photos of me gargling? Teehee!
kaycie - they say the more people they can get into the database, the more helpful - I say go for it!
This is so freakin' exciting and I don't even know you in real life!!
Just Do It Tig! I wasn't aware of the things you mentioned in your post, but based on what you have described, I think that if you didn't do it, you'd regret it. This is very exciting!! Your readers want to know!!
I really don't know because I think they are only moneymakers and not serious companies. They exploit the fact that people want to know their origins. I can understand that you want to know by all means where you came from, but before ordering this test be quite sure that it is a serious company.
sauntering soul - I have the same experience, following the trials and tribulations of other bloggers - isn't that bizarre?
bermudabluez - anything to satisfy the fans!
gattina - well, I ordered it...I guess I've gambled with more than $150 before. And to be honest, the whole "I don't trust Mormons" thing DID enter my mind...a LOT!
fascinating. it will be interesting to know your heritage, and maybe medically it will be important, too.
fascinating.
Oh my god! Three to six weeks! I'm so excited for you Tiff! :)
You go girl ! I am so excited for you. I remember like it was yesterday reading your story for the first time. Three to six weeks is just a blink compared to your years of wondering. (((Tig)))
Swampy's Blog
i thought I left a note on this last week. In any event, I'm chanting Go Go Go Go Go.....
I remember the post of you asking about your ethnicity. This does sound like a way to answer some of your questions. I am ready.
laurie - that's what my husband says - and he wonders if I should be tested for sickle cell anemia! LOL!
melissa - I am waiting on pins and needles!
pamela - I'll keep everyone posted, for sure.
mjd - I'm glad all of you are going to be along for the ride! Somehow, it makes it easier.
How exciting! It's a good thing you are so busy right now, so maybe it will help keep your mind off the long wait.
Susan at A Slice of Life
I think this is a GREAT idea for you. I hope it provides you some answers.
I have been so eyeing those tests, also. I am excited to see what you find out.
Yes, you certainly do recognize my masthead.
Everyone is curious as to where they came from. It gives you a past to relate to. I too think that you should "go for it."
a slice of life - I can't believe Christmas is less than two weeks away - I will definitely be distracted!
anglophile football fanatic - me, too...and I hope I'm something exotic!
cynthia - I thought so - I hope many more people take this test!
robocop - thanks for the encouragement! And my test kit arrived today....
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