With all the commercials about the occassional person believing they should be yelling, while simultaneously using their hands in excitable gestures, to then discover they should toss the Chianti for lederhosen, one can’t help but become curious about their own DNA history. With my dad being full Basque, I knew that was at least half of my makeup, but 67%, that’s some strong half Basqueness (I made up that last word)!.I guess all of my garlic consumption may have impacted that result. Ha, ha. On my mom’s side, I knew we had some English but was uncertain if the other portion of our background was Irish or Scottish. I ordered my DNA kit in December, spit a whole lotta spit into the vial (don’t eat 30 minutes before you spit) and sent my saliva sample off to discover the percentages of my ethnic background.
Let’s just say, that after reading my results, I may be found lounging on a couch or bed at an IKEA store. Yep! I’m 12% Scandinavian! Holy Hannah banana! For some reason, I would have been less surprised with a percentage of African in me. I got my answers! My ethnic breakdown follows:
*Iberian Peninsula 67%
*Scandinavia 12%
*Europe West 8%
*Great Britain 7%
*Ireland/Scotland/Wales 6%
There’s also information about everyone I’m related to and to what degree. Our backgrounds can also be compared. This latter item is something that you voluntarily agree to, it’s not a must. Anyway, I’m happy I sent in my DNA sample and have an accurate percentage of my ethnic background with a cool surprise! Now I completely understand where my tall height and blonde hair come from.
*I’m the one rockin’ the glasses next to my sis in our Basque dancing dresses.
Jennifer Tuck says
This was fUn. I haD no idea you were blonde. You have a Very good hair sTylist. Now I want to take a tEst. Where did you get it?
Jennifer T.
Nicole Sarkany says
Hey Jennifer!
I ordered the DNA kit off of Ancestry.com. They sometimes have sales but you should also check out 23&Me. I’ve heard good things about that company too.
Yes, under this thick brunette Basque head is a head full of blonde hair. Ha, ha, ha. I do have six cousins that are all blonde and were very blonde as children. Personally, I’m thinking the Scandinavian wedge of the pie came from that side, the maternal side. This was fun and very surprising! I highly recommend doing this!
AngElA says
Colie-liana and i were talking sbout doing this! Message Me with thr DETAILS!
Nicole Sarkany says
Will do! Sorry I’m just now replying! I’d looked at another area of the blog for comments and just saw this. Ugh! Mama needs an agent! Ha, ha, ha, ha . . .
Melanie says
awesome! thanks for sharing! maybe i missed it.. but where can we get our vials to try this out? what company did you go though?
Nicole Sarkany says
Hi Melanie!
Sorry that I’m just now getting back to you! I’d clicked on something else and didn’t notice these comments were regarding this post. I went through Ancestry.com. You just look them up online, select your kit, pay and a package will arrive in the mail a few days later. They provide the vial for your saliva. I’ve also heard good things about 23&Me. It’d be worth it to give them a look too.
If you choose to do this, be sure to share your results . . . if you’re comfortable with that of course. Ha, ha. I find it so interesting and still can’t believe I’m 12% Scandinavian!
Have a great Sunday!