I DID IT! Who Am I?

With some help … I did IT!!

For many years, I have been interested in my heritage beyond the United States borders.

I asked both of my parents about it, but they didn’t know anything about our descendants beyond the relatives who lived in the US. My paternal grandfather was only three generations from his family coming to America. There was never any talk of connection to another country. No visits, no inquiries, no talk of other relatives in another place.

I’ve watched “Finding Your Roots” or ”Who Do You Think You Are?” TV episodes where they trace someone’s lineage way back and have been intrigued by their findings. The shows certainly piqued my interest.

I felt like I got all the information my parents knew. On my Dad’s side, I sort of remember one older cousin doing some research, but never saw it. Please remember I have over 50 first cousins. I don’t even know where they all live! My mother put a small family tree together for all of us. It has names and goes back about three generations, but doesn’t go beyond US borders.

Fast forward …. This Christmas, I put a “23 and Me” kit on my list. My son and daughter-in-love gifted me the kit! It takes about three weeks to get the results and last week, they appeared in my email!!

Before I share my results …

I did have a few thoughts that have kept me wondering and led me on this journey.

I knew I was ALOT German!! We were Pennsylvania Dutch (taken from Deutschland, Germany). It’s hard to deny that heritage when it surrounded all my relatives and geographical location. My grandparents spoke PA Dutch. My parents knew some and even I have memories of words I didn’t understand when my grandparents spoke to me. (They mixed it at times.)

What I wondered was … a possible Jewish connection in my bloodline. Knowing a large concentration of Jews resided in Germany. Also, my Dad, was a very fast and deep tanner. When he was in the sun, he turned very dark quickly. It just made me wonder. He told me, he didn’t think so, “We were always Lutherans.”

Also, I never heard anyone talk about a region of Germany we came from.

And, my mother said she had some French and English on her side, as well as German. I wondered if the information got passed down correctly. She didn’t seem to know which side of her lineage either was from.

Without further ado, I AM …

My parents were right on the nose, CORRECT!!

I am a whole lot of German!!

It points out the region of Germany, the Rhineland area, which borders France. That’s likely where my French heritage comes in. Maybe, a little co-mingling across the border😉

It also showed my English/Irish connection was from the 1700’s! How do they even know these things? Somebody migrated or met on a visit or through a friend, I assume.

NO! I have no genetics linking me to the Jewish race! That is settled and I can quit wondering about it. Although, it would have been a wonderful trail to trace!

I’ve heard lots of people say these tests often show a trace bloodline to Africa. I kind of expected that, but wouldn’t be able to explain it.

NOPE, I had no African results.

Here is what I did have … it shocked my every sense …

I have a trace bloodline to Coptic Egyptian😱😱😱

Mind Blown!

WHATTTTTTT???

Believe it or not, I know a little about them … even crazier!!!

Coptic Egyptians are about 10% of the Egyptian population. A small sect.

Are you ready for this …. They are a Christian sect of the Egyptian people!

Okay hold on … that’s enough right there, but it gets juicier!!

I have never visited Europe, except for airport transfers. So, I have technically been in Germany, and France, not England or Ireland.

Guess where I have been for five days in 1993 … Egypt!!

I’m telling you, this find has mesmerized me!!

Not only did I tour around Cairo, but we also visited a COPTIC CHURCH!! My brain can hardly handle it!

We stayed in a castle on the Nile built for Queen Eugenie, wife of Napoleon III … constructed for her visit to open the Suez Canal.

Where was Napoleon from? France.

That gets me closer to Egypt. Also, who’s to say, maybe missionaries were sent from Europe to Christianize Egypt which could have included a distant relative who came back with a wife?

Napoleon the First had conquests in Egypt too; involving trade routes.

Perhaps, I had some traveling kin! I like that! Maybe it was military or missional. I’m not sure I could ever find this small trace, but it’s got my wheelhouse turning.

It does sort of answer my Dad’s fast tanning skin🤷🏻‍♀️ Perhaps!?! Remote chance😬

Here’s a funny side … out of the 10 or so countries and close to all 50 states I’ve visited, my least favorite was Egypt. Someone asked me recently, where would I NOT want to go again, and I answered, “Egypt.”

I’m thinking about whether I might change that answer.

Have you done the test for your genetic make-up? Thought about it?

What did you find out?

Thanks Aaron & Missy❤️,

An Amazing Journey!

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