JoLynn had spent years researching her European
Ancestry and was surprised to discover a document or file that stated one of
her great grandmothers was from Africa. Then she took an Ancestry DNA test to
know her ethnicity estimate result.
Ancestry:
What motivated you to trace your family using Ancestry DNA?
JoLynn: One day, I found a document on my parental 3rd
great-grandmother that recognized her as a free woman of color. I was so
interested that I did an Ancestry DNA test, and my DNA results showed that I am
4% Southeastern Bantu.
Ancestry:
How will you explain your level of personal family history knowledge before
taking the Ancestry DNA test?
JoLynn: My family history knowledge before taking the Ancestry
DNA test was limited. It is much easier to research online with all the data
that Ancestry has.
Ancestry:
Can you please tell us about your research approach once you were matched with
possible cousins?
JoLynn: When I got the DNA match for my sisters, we were close
to 1st cousins.
But, I was not sure what that meant precisely. I also don’t know my other
siblings, so I predicted we were cousins. I first started calling them cousins.
It took only eight emails, and after we came to know that we are not cousins.
We are half-sisters and have the same father. All of us were super excited, but
it was also thrilling for my sisters since they had been given for adoption at
birth and finally connected with their biological family members.
I give them the family photos of our grandparents and beyond. My
DNA also matched with cousins on both my parental and maternal sides. I have
also contacted my cousins that I am connected to through bondage. We have no
intent to which ancestors we are connected or related through yet, but we are
working on it.
Ancestry:
What were the responses of your family members when you gave the information
you discovered?
JoLynn: My mother is 88 years old, and she was surprised to know
about my discovery. She did not know that my biological father had fathered
twins before he married my mother. My sisters, whom I grew up with, were also
surprised. We are half-sisters too, and all three have different fathers but
the same mother. They were also excited to take the Ancestry DNA test to see
what their results say to them. I am only saying my sisters as half-sisters for
your clarification. I love my sisters more.
Ancestry:
Can you please explain your experience after meeting your sisters for the first
time?
JoLynn: After meeting my new sisters for the very first time, it
was an exciting moment, and I was so tense. My sisters lived only a 5-hour
drive away from me. They are identical twins and are so funny. My sisters had
many questions, and we had a conversation with each other till our throats were
sore from talking. The overall experience was very amazing, and we are not only
sisters now but are good friends as well.
Ancestry:
Has the experience of searching for your long-lost family changes you in any
way?
JoLynn: The overall experience of searching for a new family was
wonderful and awesome. I would not change a thing. I can’t say if the
experience while searching my family has changed me anyway. It made me more
aware that nothing is impossible. So, don’t be afraid and search for what you
can and find out more possible thoughts.
James
Wilson and I am a writer. I live in the USA As a
writer historical stuff attracts me. That’s why I activated an Ancestry DNA kit
to find out my family’s history. To activate Ancestry DNA kit, visit: Ancestrydna.com/activate
SOURCE: How Ancestry DNA United Unknown Sisters