While my ancestors, both paternal and maternal are from Germany, DNA analysis for genetic genealogy indicates that my paternal ancestors were in southern Europe about 25,000 years ago living in the Balkans during the last Glacial Maximum. They were the direct descendants of a group of ancestors who had journeyed from the Middle East (Ethiopia to be more accurate) into the Balkans (See a map of the route at http://cynasta3.com/
As the ice sheets retreated at the end of the Ice Age, these ancestors of mine continued their journey northward into Northern Europe, in particular Scandinavia. Today, a large portion of Scandinavian populations in the Adriatic regions, including Denmark, mainland Norway, Sweden, and Finland trace their ancestry to this line. Vikings also likely descended from this line. The detection of low frequencies of this haplogroup on the British Isles, France and some Celtic populations may be the result of the more recent Vikings raids in these regions.
The association between these DNA markers and Celtic culture is consistent with the parallels seen between the observed spread of the group into Western Europe and the corresponding Celtic expansion that occurred in the mid-first millennium BC. Francis Owen confirms this in his 1960 book, "The Germanic People," written shortly after the advent of DNA testing (about 1953) and tracking had come about. The research he reported on was based on earlier material from the fields of linguistics, archeology, anthropology and history and arrived at conclusions that DNA testing corroborates.
How about you? Would you like to know more about your ancestry? Then head over to the library in the town of Elbert. There, Ric Morgan will present "Genealogy DNA Testing - What's this all about?" at the Elbert Branch Library on January 8, 2011, at 1:00 p.m.
DNA is quickly becoming an important part of genealogy research, and new genealogy DNA tests (I used a testing kit from genebase.com)
Morgan's presentation will focus on the basics of genealogy DNA testing, and will discuss the following questions:
• What is genealogy DNA testing, and how does it work?
• Can I really find my ancestors using genealogy DNA testing?
• How can genealogy DNA testing prove or disprove my family tree research?
• Who were your ancestors?
Discover your deep ancestral roots using genetic genealogy. Find out where your ancestors came from, discover their ethnic background, and trace the roots of your surname.
Genetic Genealogy is one of the newest and most exciting additions to genealogy research.
Saturday Genealogy Fun meets at the Elbert Branch Library at 1:00 p.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Beginning through advanced genealogy enthusiasts are invited to attend. The Elbert Branch Library is located in the Elbert School library at 24489 Main Street in Elbert. Call 303-648-3533 for more information.
About the Elbert County Library District. ECLD provides materials, programs, expertise and facilities to support the cultural, educational, and leisure activities of the Elbert County communities. On the Web: http://www.ElbertCountyLibrary.org. Executive director is Ms. Kari Baumann at 303 646-3792.
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About the Elbert County Library District. ECLD provides materials, programs, expertise and facilities to support the cultural, educational, and leisure activities of the Elbert County communities. On the Web: http://www.ElbertCountyLibrary.org. Executive director is Ms. Kari Baumann at 303 646-3792.
