Who Am I?

Via: Ancestry DNA

Things I know:

• I am adopted

• Born in Concepción, Paraguay

• Native American - Guaraní (type of tribe/language originating in Paraguay)

• I have a birth mother

• I have a birth father

• I have birth siblings

Things I didn't know until now:

• 90% Native American from 2 different parts of the world

• Part French ?

• Part Spaniard?

• Part African?

Things I don't know...still:

• Where in France???

• Where in Spain???

• Where exactly in East Africa???

• Where is my birth family???

• What does this DNA results test really mean???

Being something who is adopted there are SO many unanswered questions as to where are you from, who do you look like, what is your mom and dad's name, and do I have siblings?

I recently did an Ancestry DNA kit. I will say that I was extremely reluctant to do one because I was always scared. That is the honest truth. I was scared at what the results would say... but because I know science has advanced and gotten better I thought that maybe I should try it. My mom was thrilled that I wanted to do it, she never pressured me, she was just as worried as I was. But we both were trying to prepare ourselves for what the results would eventually be....

But I suppose there is this fake hope that the results will be like the commercials they show...as one lady claimed... "I am related to George Washington!" But in reality, I am related to hard working farmers who lived in South America during the Great Depression...which is cool to know!

I am in no way ashamed or horrified by my results. I am proud. It is nice knowing I began as many did, in Africa, but migrated to France region, to Spain, back to central America, back to South America and now where I am... the United States.

However, the results were extremely confusing! Many countries were in my results, hundreds to be exact, but 0% relationship to them. It was not at all like the commercials or advertisements suggested it to be. I almost want to say misleading... I sent my results in early November 2018, and got them in December 5th of 2018. They did mention due to high demand results would take longer... That is not my issue with this test. I appreciated them telling me before placing my order the results may take longer.

My issue is how unclear the results were. They claim that science has advanced so much but yet they only show me a circle around different cities in France. Rather than saying one of these cities... I don't know I just feel mislead in someway... It is in no way user friendly.

Overall, I am frustrated and disappointed by my results. I am proud of who I am... but wish the test did more for me. I will probably try 23andme because it seems to give you more info on exactly what I am looking for. I purposely tried Ancestry cause of the migration pattern they described in commercials. I knew the risk was that it wouldn't work and then it would be $60 bucks down the drain. But clearly 23andme may be more detailed. I had high hopes for ancestry.com would prove me wrong and it did not.

I will continue my search for my birth family IN paraguay despite being from some part of France or Spain. I know who I am. This probably won't make me book a flight to France or Spain anytime soon as the commercials say they will...

So lastly, do I recommend this DNA test?

No - For adopted individuals and non- adopted individuals ... because you will not get a clear answer as to where exactly you originated from. So if you want exact, or clear, detailed results, do not do this test. There are probably better options out there for you. Save your money.

Yes - only, if you are okay with just knowing only country names, dates that had important history to them... for instance, only discussed information we already knew about. Farmers come from large lands with sheep and cattle. I KNEW THAT. or, How the great depression people struggled with keeping their farms and jobs. .... yup, School taught me that already ancestry....-that was without paying the usual 99$ bucks on your test-

I honestly can't imagine an adoptee wanting to do this test after reading this... but if you do, let me know how that goes! I'm interested.

I wish readers of my blog luck if you decide to go ahead with Ancestry.. hopefully you have better luck.