So, it’s been a long time since I posted anything here. We all get busy and life happens, right? A good excuse, but my main reason is I wasn’t feeling inspired until now. Several months ago I purchased one of those home DNA tests. A little bit of spit and a few weeks later I received my results. A quick look and although the results were interesting,  I didn’t know how to interpret them and I didn’t do anything about it. My mother did a lot of genealogy in the 1980’s but I wasn’t interested at the time (it seemed like one of those things “old People” did).  It was in talking to an old grade school/high school classmate that I was encouraged to revisit the results and started to become more interested. Nick was able to help in the initial interpretation of my results and from there it kind of took a life of it’s own.

The “interesting” finding, if the test I took is accurate, is that my DNA shows I am 19% Native American. A bit of a surprise because growing up was told I was “German, Danish and Bohemian”. And in reviewing my mother’s research there is nothing in my genealogy to indicate I am part Native America. If this is true, than I really may have a “skeleton in my closet”. Nick explained how DNA doesn’t lie and genealogy can. DNA is scientific and genealogy is a collective history, some based on facts and some based on what we have been told and passed on. In many cases there is information that has not been included, into our genealogies, either purposely or by oversight. Because of this I acknowledge that my mother’s research may not be totally accurate. It certainly isn’t complete. Mom did her best, though, especially not having the advantage of the internet like I do today.

After a few half hearted attempts at working on my family tree I recently became more serious about it. I also ordered another DNA test so that I can confirm or discredit the results of the first test. I really hope it confirms the Native American heritage. Even if  it does, I probably won’t be able to confirm it through my family history/genealogy. It may forever be a mystery! I will continue the research, either way, and I will keep you posted.

In the meantime I am enjoying reading the history of our “First Nations” people. As a “foodie” I am always intrigued with food culture and tradition and as a result have started research on the food of the Native Americans and the recipes that have been passed along from past generations to today, along with the more modern recipes in use today. I hope to prepare and present the results of this research though future blogs and hope y’all will enjoy!