Ancestry dot com nudged me recently and said my DNA results had been updated. To further pique my interest, they specifically mentioned Switzerland in the email message they sent.
My 2nd great-grandfather, Jacob Koebe MUELLER, was born in Switzerland on 11 Aug 1844. He emigrated to North America when he was 20 years old and settled in Chicago Illinois USA where he died on 17 Oct 1910.
Jacob’s exact place of birth has always been a mystery for me. So of course, I eagerly clicked on the link Ancestry dot com provided to see my “new Switzerland region”.
There were lots of fancy graphics and images that would probably make a cool PowerPoint presentation (do people still use PP?), but nothing that got me closer to learning where Jacob might have been born.
However, I found the percentages assigned to my ethnic roots very interesting. Switzerland took third place at 8%, a percentage far lower than the number one slot ~ Sweden at 45%, and one percentage point below Isle of Man (9%).
I was not surprised by the high percentage of my Swedish DNA since both my parents have direct-line ancestors from Sweden. My dad’s maternal great-grandfather Carl LARSSON CLARIN immigrated to North America from Hörby, Malmöhus, Sweden. Carl’s wife Bengta JÖNSSDOTTER hailed from Västerstad, Malmöhus, Sweden.
My mother’s parents both have Swedish ancestors. Her maternal great-grandmother Maria Fredrika PETERSON was born in Tånnö, Jönköping, Sweden, a place I first visited (and fell in love with!) in 2023. Both my mother’s paternal great-grandparents are Swedes. Peter August TOLF, immigrated from Svenarum, Jönköping, Sweden, and his wife Augusta Sophia LANDSTROM was born in Norra Sandsjö, Jönköping, Sweden.
My mother’s paternal grandmother Johanna Kristina CARLSON immigrated to Chicago Illinois USA from Börstil, Uppsala, Sweden. It is Johanna that added that 9% of Manx DNA by marrying James WALTON who was born in Laxey, Lonan, Isle of Man.
What surprised me was how far down the list France appeared on my results ~ only 1% despite my 2nd great-grandmother Elisabeth SCHMITT who was born in Hellimer, Moselle, Lorraine, France (which I visited this year and loved), emigrated to North America, and married my Swiss 2nd great-grandfather, Jacob Koebe MUELLER.
Granted my ancestors each contributed a random assortment of genes to my DNA. The group in which Ancestry dot com put those ancestors is based on criteria with which my DNA study group may disagree.
The chart is interesting though, and I enjoyed seeing the numbers. And yes, I was a little inspired to resume my search for answers to some of the mysteries in my family tree.
Has Ancestry dot com updated your DNA results? How do you feel about the percentages assigned to the countries in which your ancestors originated?
Share your thoughts below: