A Mystery: Who Sourced the Ethnicity Story of
My DNA?
Part I
For those of you who read my column often, you probably know
it was my choice to submit my DNA for testing by Ancestry a year or so
ago. The results were, for the most part, what I had expected although
the percentages of ethnic derivation were surprising. At the time those
results were received, I determined to attempt to review my family tree
and to pin the actual ancestors to the countries of origin suggested by
the ethnic percentages received. Having spent a great deal of time
researching my father’s lineage, it had become quite apparent we had a
fairly strong Germanic ancestry. Mother’s lines seemed to be associated
more with England, Ireland, Scotland, and then the Franco-Germanic lines
extending through the Joslin family derivation. To my astonishment,
the German bloodlines were not nearly as strong as I had expected. My
results were as follows:
Ireland/Scotland/Wales 38%
Great Britain 20%
Scandinavia 17%
Europe West 14%
But, wait a minute! That is not 100%. What was missing?
Well, here was the part that rather amazed me and the impetus that
spurred my decision to rationalize and confirm the findings – that
remaining block that makes me ME. These were the results as indicated by
comparing my DNA makeup with that of hundreds of thousands (if not
millions?) of other persons around the world who kindly submitted their
DNA to provide the scientists with samples that could be tied to
specific locations worldwide not just today but for hundreds of years
through time. It is a complex study, one befitting a lengthy education
in how DNA works and in making astute observations based on empirical
evidence. When certain strands of DNA matches closely the same strands
of others, the scientists plot the origin of those genes. They developed
a matrix that is not dissimilar to what is used to determine parentage
but which is far more complex and, honestly, a bit speculative in
nature. For each person throughout time has inherited 50% of their DNA
from one parent and 50% from the other. Thus, when a person has a
great-grandmother, let’s say, who was Native American, that person MIGHT
show up with DNA that confirms a 12.5% (1/8th birthright) bloodline
tied to a specific tribe. That assumes, of course, the individual
inherited that portion of their parent’s DNA that was the Native
American bit and that strand had survived intact from the generations
before. That part of tracking lineage is rather basic and much less
complex than the worldwide study undertaken by Ancestry (and now other
DNA testing groups) – that part that compares not a single family but a
community of persons whose DNA has matching elements tied to a specific
country or localized region of origin.
The balance of my DNA ethnicity contained a few more
surprises and required a bit of research to try to determine the
countries of origin associated with the areas identified by Ancestry.
Thus, the remaining percentages making up the 100% whole of my DNA was
revealed as shown below:
Iberian Peninsula 4%
Europe East 3%
Europe South 2%
Finland/Northwest Russia 1%
European Jewish < 1%
The delineation of ancestors who are believed to have
contributed this portion of my DNA will be discussed in next month’s
column. Now on to the larger portion and my exploration of my genetic
history.
Who donated the DNA that, apparently, defines my ethnicity?
Attempting to go about this in an orderly fashion, the first
segment of ethnic origin to explore will be that large 38% segment
identified as Ireland/Scotland/Wales. Ancestry offers a neat Search
method when reviewing the DNA Shared Ancestor matches that show up on
the DNA Home Page. One can search all Matches by Surname or by Birth
Location. Tada! If only it were that easy, for as your author attempted
this “easy” method of locating those birth locations she discovered the
information may be buried within the trees of the Shared Match and
oft-times is not readily apparent. Ah, well…let’s go with what we know.
Ireland/Scotland/Wales 38% - THE IRISH GROUP:
The only surprise associated with this ethnicity estimate
is merely that of the high percentage. Also, the fact that my sister’s
percentage differed from mine showing me to have inherited a greater
amount of DNA from our Irish, Scottish and Welsh ancestors. My known
forebears who derived from these countries are quite numerous:
Carroll surname derivation – Paternal Line:
As a beginning, we have always known that our Carroll
lineage derived from Ireland, “…the counties Cork and Kerry, my dearie”
as my grandmother King was wont to say. Two declarations by my father
come to mind: “The O’Carroll clan was Irish, the MacCarroll clan was of
Scots descent” and “Remember when Charles Carroll of Carrollton signed
the Declaration of Independence he added ‘of Carrollton’ because the
Carrolls were already so numerous in Colonial America they had to
distinguish themselves by location.” We were also admonished by
Grandmother King on St. Patrick’s Day that no Protestant Irish EVER wore
GREEN! (Horror of horrors!) but should be appropriately signified as
ruling class by the wearing of ULSTER ORANGE. As a child I never
understood this distinction and forever donned the green of the
Leprechauns in honor of the day. Perhaps this is now a clue to go
forward in my attempt to pin down the Carroll clan of my personal origin
in good ole Ireland. Suppose?
The surname Carroll goes back many centuries to the
ancient Clan O Cearbhail, whose ancestral lands were known as Eile Ui
Chearbhail or the Isle of O’Carroll. The name means “fierce warrior,”
“warlike champion,” or “valorous in battle.” From the website,
Irelandroots/carroll.htm:
“The O'Cearbhaills were prominent in
the Province of Leinster. There were six separate O'Carroll clans in
Ireland, in Counties Kerry, Offaly, Monaghan, Tipperary, Leitrim and
Louth. Carrolls of Northern origin descend from the MacCearbhaill clan
who were located in Ulster particularly near the town of Derry. There is
also a MacCarroll family (anglized to MacCarvill) from the province of
Ulster.
In 1014, after constant war and
invasion by the Vikings, Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, enlisted a
powerful army to fight them in battle at Clontarf. A division of Boru's
army, the Eilians, was led by the Prince Cearbhaill of the Carroll race.
Brian Boru's principal confessor throughout his reign was Maolsuthian
O'Carroll, who never left his side. In 1005 Brian Boru visited Armagh
and had O'Carroll write into the famouse 'Book of Armagh'.
The Coat of Arms most associated
with the Carroll name is on a silver shield two red lions combatant
supporting a sword erect in pale proper in the dexter chief point a
black cross flory, the Crest being on the stump of a tree a falcon
rising billed proper charged on the breast with a black cross flory.
Alternate Surname Spellings - O'Carroll, Carrol, Karrel, Carol.”
O'Carroll Coat of Arms. Courtesy Glasshouse using
elements by Sodadan - Matthews' American Armoury and Blue Book. 1907;
rpt. New York: Crest Publishing Co, 1962, CC BY-SA 4.0,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=61118719
Joseph Alexander (1756-1839), b. County Tyrone, Northern Ireland – 4th Great-Grandfather (Paternal Line)
When Joseph Alexander was about nine years of age, he and
his brother accompanied their father to America. They came first to
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Nothing is discovered concerning
the father or the brother. Much is known about our Joseph because of his
distinguished service in the Revolutionary War. One of my earlier
columns concerned his service as a Patriot. Many hardships were
experienced by this family including the burning of their homestead in
Pennsylvania by the Indians in one of the many uprisings, the capture of
his son by the Indians (later released and reunited with his family
after searching for their new location), and extensive battles in the
effort to create a new and independent homeland. This is certainly an
ancestor in whom to find great pride.
Memorial Service provided by the William Henry
Harrison Chapter of the SAR in West Lafayette, Indiana. Sugar Grove
Cemetery, Jackson Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Richard Malone (1736-1801) b. County Cork, Ireland - 5th Great Grandfather (Paternal Line)
Richard was the father of Francis Malone who wed Joseph
Alexander about 1785 in Pennsylvania after the Revolutionary War. It is
known Richard Malone played a big part in the formation of strategies
for Patriots as he placed himself and his family in danger by hosting
the meetings held in secret at his home. Concerning Richard Malone, the
following is taken from the History of Centre County, Pennsylvania:
“According to a diary kept by
Richard Miles, Richard Malone lived in April, 1775, six miles from Fort
Augusta (Sunbury), up the West Branch, which would be about two miles
above the mouth of Chillipueppe Creek. His home was a prominent place
for meetings, notably those of the County Committee of Safety during the
Revolution. The slight remains of an old account book show Major John
Lee, Dr. Plunket, John Hambright, Weitzel, McCord, and other old
settlers about the mouth of the West branch as his Guest, in charges for
rum, toddy, cordial, etc., and indicate his occupation.”
Joseph Bullard (1732-1788) – Scots-Irish (Maternal line)
One of my favorite ancestors is Joseph Bullard. His life
has been chronicled by another Bullard researcher who has generously
provided his extensive findings pro gratis for use by family historians
on his marvelous website: bullardgenealogy.com. The assumption is made
that this line of Bullards, like others who migrated concurrently across
the ocean to this remote area, were Scots-Irish. This then is a portion
of his thumbnail sketch of my 5th Great-Grandfather, Joseph Bullard,
from that website:
Joseph Bullard’s birth place is
unknown. He was born ~1732. It is reasonable to assume he and his
siblings were Scots-Irish and migrated to the American colonies in the
early to mid 1700’s from Northern Ireland. What is known is that Joseph
Bullard was one of the early pioneers who settled in central North
Carolina. He later migrated to the Watauga and Nolichucky River area
located in eastern Tennessee sometime between 1775 and 1776. Joseph’s
migration route into eastern Tennessee crossed over the Blue Ridge
Mountains in western North Carolina. There is documentation that Joseph
Bullard lived for a time in central North Carolina before migrating to
eastern Tennessee. Joseph Bullard was a self made man, possibly an
indentured servant , who made passage to America sometime around 1750.
He was not a man of letters. He had no known privileged lineage. He was a
man of humble origin. He was the quintessential frontiersman.
It is well documented Joseph lived
and fought alongside many well known military and pioneer leaders of
eastern Tennessee. As this chronicle unfolds, it will attest to the fact
that Joseph Bullard established himself among his peers as a courageous
Indian fighter and Revolutionary War soldier. He ascended the ranks of
the patriot militia on his strength of purpose and fortitude to protect
his family and liberties. On many occasions, he demonstrated hardship
and courage in the name of freedom and justice. He owned large tracts of
land given to him through land grants bestowed upon veterans of the
Revolutionary War. There is sufficient documented evidence and
historical events surrounding Joseph Bullard’s life to chronicle a
reasonable account of his life as a frontiersman and Indian fighter.
Although Joseph is mentioned in many early eastern Tennessee court
sessions and tax lists, neither fame nor notoriety is attached to his
name. Yet, he is typical of the fiercely independent Scots-Irish
pioneers who first settled in North Carolina and the great western
wilderness west of the Appalachian Mountains. He not only was a witness
to the formative years of the revolution, but also contributed greatly
to the annals of American history.
The research into the direct line ancestors by attempting
to identify how they contributed to my ethnic diversity will be a long
and arduous journey, but one that is fascinating to me. With nearly
14,000 names in my family tree at this point in time, it is truly a
challenging effort. The fruits of my labour shall be the fodder for
future columns in the hope that others may benefit from the effort. It
is also an invitation for other family historians to contribute to the
pool of knowledge.
Looking forward to next month’s column which will continue this journey of discovery.
Click on author's byline for bio and list of other works published by Pencil Stubs Online.
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