So I have been researching as a amateur genealogist for the past 20 years. I have gathered several generations of ancestor and have compiled a great deal of data. I have spent countless hours perusing microfilms at archives and libraries, and have pent more than enough time putting pieces together via online databases and my personal computer. I have spent hours listening to and recording family stories, and years sharing that information with anyone who has wanted it. I have amassed more information than I thought I would when I started twenty years ago.
But one think I have been reluctant to do is DNA testing.
I have been reluctant for one major reason... yes the idea that my DNA isn't private is a concern, but for me the major reason why I have been afraid to take the leap into DNA testing and genealogy is that I am afraid that my all of my research will be found to be void, that it will be proven to not be true. And while I know there are mistakes in my genealogy that I am constantly correcting, but they are small ones. What if my DNA results don't match what I have gathered?
But I finally took the leap.
It took a nudge from my sister. For Christmas, as a surprise, she sent me a 23 and Me DNA kit as a gift. It took until the beginning of February to actually do it, as every time I tried to log in to register my kit before then, the website was very slow and/or crashed (I've a feeling they were inundated with Christmas gift DNA kits). But I did it. I sent in my sample, it was processed, and I am now waiting for them to genotype my DNA.
I also stated that I did not give permission to save my genetics for research. My hope is that will help with some of the qualms I have about privacy issues
I am curious to see where this will lead me, even though I also have my hesitations. What has been done though has been done, and we will see where it goes.
