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In reply to the discussion: Have you had your DNA tested to determine your ancestry? [View all]Hell Hath No Fury
(16,327 posts)We had my Mom's done around 4 years ago to find out if there was any truth to the family mythology we were part native American on her Mom's side. As far as we knew, the family was English, Scottish, Irish, and possibly NA. Got the results and we were stunned. Almost all of her matches on Ancestry were Puerto Rican. 4000+ 3rd or better cousins, easily 95% percent of them Puerto Rican. Surprise! Many years, MUCH research, and a whole lotta luck later we found out her father was NOT the Irishman her Mom was married to at the time of my Mom's birth but the younger brother of her Mom's Puerto Rican best friend. Everyone involved is long gone, so we will never know the full story behind what happened (love affair? one night stand? sexual assault?) just that it happened.
After the initial surprise, we have embraced it fully and have been enjoying meeting all the new family we have, including many first and second cousins. We're also planing a trip to both Saltillo, PR -- where our family was from -- and Hawaii --where our family worked on the sugar plantations -- to explore our roots.