DNA testing – is it worth it?

My wife and are exploring our ancestral roots. My father was born in Southampton and my wife’s father in Hull.

Our research, so far, has not yielded the results we were expecting, so we decided to have DNA tests done by CRI Genetics, an online service and trace our ancestory.

The testing process is as follows:

1. Complete an online application form 2. Pay for tests 3. CRI sent a test kit 4. Swab inside of our mouths 5. Insert swab into vial & envelope provided 6. Return post free to CRI 7. Wait a few weeks for an email to inform us that test results are ready 8. Login to account and access DNA reports.

RESULTS

At first inspection my ancestral origins are as follows:

52% English 16.5% German 7.1% Scandinavian 7% Irish 6% French 6% Polish 2% Scottish 2% Spanish 2% Arab 1% Spain

My wife’s Origins

40.2% Germany 19.5% British Isles 14.9% Italy 11% France 11% Southern, Central Slavic 1% Scandinavia 1% Spain

The results made no sense! I was born in South Africa, my father born in England, my grandfather in South Africa, grandmother in Wales. We did, however, find our surname on the British 1820 Settlers list to South Africa.

On my mother’s side, she, her mother and father were born in South Africa. My mother’s maiden name is Taylor, her mother is Le Roux. Going on the surnames, Taylor is British, Le Roux is French. So part of the ancestry results made sense.

What does not make sense, is why are there no results on our South African ancestry?

So, time to dig deeper to understand how the DNA system works