A World of family and ancestors, united by DNA
Today’s technology and DNA testing provide all kinds of exciting opportunities in genealogical research. Many of us, and I am surely one, believe that each individual has the right to know exactly who she/he is and to know her or his ancestors. As my own genealogical research progressed, it helped strengthen my identity– as I learned about the ancestors whose DNA coursed through my own veins as well as theirs, hundreds of years ago. Lately, I’ve learned that nowhere is this “need to know” stronger than for adoptees. Many, probably most adoptees feel the need to know their own individual identities and heritage.
I have a cousin named Bradley who was adopted. We didn’t know each other until we both did our DNA tests on Ancestry, and discovered our match. Bradley and I have worked together a lot over the last year or so. We have used Ancestry, FTDNA-Family Tree DNA, 23 and Me, and Gedmatch.com as well as other genealogical research sites and have learned amazing things.
Before Bradley contacted me about our DNA match, he had met another cousin named Courtney–DNA proved she was my cousin also! I have to tell you, one of us is from California, one from North Carolina, and one from New York–we cover the whole of America, and we are cousins — united by DNA and ancestors/genealogy.
Bradley is a force of nature, who makes things happen. He found two other cousins, Stella and Zoe, both of whom were also adopted, and who are also related to him, and to Courtney and to me by DNA! That is truly incredible! In my experience, finding five people, unknown to each other, from all over the world, all of whom are related by DNA to each other–well, I would wager that it would be a zero probability that we would find each other! However, the miracle continues, even more amazing to me is that Stella had met another DNA matched cousin named Eva and she was related by DNA to the rest of us as well! That made six of us, three from across the United States, and three from Central Europe — the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland. We are three adoptees and three who know their parents, all 4th, 5th, or 6th cousins!
Bradley then organized us into a group on Facebook, so that we could communicate more easily. He invited one other DNA match of his to join the group hoping she might also match some of us. Laura did indeed match another one of us, another cherished cousin. I asked my daughter Ali to join our group, as she speaks and reads German and French fluently, and was also a cousin of course! Eight of us, what a wonderful group of people, all dynamic and interesting to know! Typically, the Europeans all speak and read English with different levels of experience, while we Americans only speak English, except for my daughter Ali, whose linguistic abilities did not come from her mother, but from other ancestors.
Eight people, eight cousins, three adoptees from all around the world– united by a desire to know our common heritage — awesome! We truly engage in “Worldwide Genealogical Collaboration”!
We have been working together for a few months, but we may have just discovered our common line of ancestors, one of Netherlander origin. We still have research to do to be sure. As we identify our most recent common ancestor–possibly 4th, 5th, and 6th great grandparents depending on our cousinship and as the ancestral lines fall in place, birth parents are often– usually identified. It is a fact of research. What happens next is a choice that adoptees and their birth parents, if living, have to make. Reunions can be fulfilling and joyful, or full of rejection. With DNA, technology, and our heritage research, identities can no longer be secret — instead they can be stronger than ever.
There is one more phenomenal situation that we have discovered with our genealogical work together. Our common ancestors, the Vreeland family, came to America in the mid 1600’s from the Netherlands to New Amsterdam (New York) in Colonial America. They helped found New Jersey, buying land from the Indians, and fighting in the Revolutionary War. Now, 350 years later, eight of us are getting to know each other and one completes this circle of migration. Zoe was born in America, in New Jersey. After her adoption, as a very young child of 2, she was taken to the Netherlands to be raised by her adoptive family. She brings OUR family full circle–from the Netherlands to New Jersey and from New Jersey back to Europe! Isn’t that amazing!
Worldwide Genealogical Collaboration— aren’t we blessed to be a part of it! Enjoy finding your cousins all over the world.
Until next time, Helen
Map depicting migration of colonial settlers from Europe to America and back to Europe. –From DNA Genetic Communities, Ancestry.com.
Originally published in Worldwide Genealogy- A Genealogical Collaboration , 27 July, 2017
September 1, 2017 at 11:14 am
Helen, I am so happy that you have connected with so many cousins through DNA and that you are working together to research your shared family history! Wouldn’t your ancestors be surprised and delighted.
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September 1, 2017 at 12:59 pm
What a wonderful story to read. I loved every sentence. Map of journey was moving too. Please keep me posted on updates as they come.
Say hello to all your new Cousins for me.
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September 1, 2017 at 1:03 pm
Thanks so much Kendra! And yes! Many of my ancestors would be shocked! Some would be thrilled, like my mother with whom I wish I could have shared this journey, and unfortunately, some would have been very upset by some of my findings! It has been such a great, wonderful experience!
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September 1, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Oh dear Connie, thank you so very much! It gives me chills to realized that these very first two comments on this post, one is from 3000 miles away all the way across the country, and one is from Europe! Everytime we make these wonderful family connections, our world becomes friendlier and closer! H.
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September 1, 2017 at 5:02 pm
Recently I have made contact with a cousin who was looking for her / his birth parents. It looks like we solved that also! I hope to write about it in a month or two once all the details are worked out. You know me every I must be dotted and every t crossed. Great post. You do not write many but when you do they are great.
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September 3, 2017 at 9:48 pm
What fun, Helen! Thanks for sharing.
Love and hugs, Linda
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February 27, 2018 at 10:54 pm
Helen, I am in the Pierce (Pearse, Percy) family tree as well and have had similar experiences. I have a theory about that…We are following the same thread. Having just completed 20 years of comprehensive research, oh the stories to tell! I literally relate with you! I wrote a song about my North Carolina ancestors titled “Carolina” which you can hear on Soundcloud. p.s. I know an Omohundro!
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February 28, 2018 at 3:55 am
We will have to compare notes. I am dying to hear your song! Emai me at helenholshouser@gmail.com Thanks, Helen
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February 28, 2018 at 3:57 am
Thank you Linda, it is wonderful! H
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February 28, 2018 at 3:58 am
Thank you Charles, you honorme. Fondly, Helen
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