Roots

The oral traditions of those that came before me implied that my roots were one-half Irish and one-half German.  Mom's laborious genealogy research bore this out tracing our immigrant ancestors back to both Ireland and Germany – at which point the trail went cold.  Mom’s work predated the internet so much of it was conducted in person searching dusty birth, baptismal and death records in small Midwest communities and a trip to Salt Lake City, Utah to delve into accounts maintained by the Church of Latter Day Saints – the Mormons.  Nevertheless, the pie remained 50/50.  Easy peasy – half and half.   

Mom departed this earthly realm a decade and a half ago and since then technology has turned old-school genealogy on its head.  Sure, those dusty old birth, baptismal and death records remain incredibly important – nonetheless the arrival of online, searchable databases along with easy and affordable DNA technology has stirred the pot and added ease of detail and historical color that had previously been missing. 

About a year ago I took the plunge and had my DNA analyzed for purposes of learning more about my origins.  A reasonably large number of my acquaintances and family have since done the same.  Admittedly, the results of this testing include plenty of disclaimers and caveats about the imprecise nature of what you will learn yet it certainly opened the door to additional – shall we say – assumptions.  The premise of the 50/50 conclusion still holds but may be imprecise.  

Behold my ethnicity map:  

 click on the image for a better look

With a reasonably high degree of confidence my DNA suggests that a significant portion of my ancestry is from Ireland/Scotland/Wales and links me specifically to the regions of Ulster and Munster in Ireland.  Because of the blurry nature of place-of-origin DNA results the range of ethnicity coursing thru my veins is 23 to 53 percent – so let’s just assign it the mid-range of 39% illustrated on the map.   The implication of this is that I boast a Celtic lineage.  So what's-up about that Ulster and Munster connection? 

Historically, Ulster fared better than most of Ireland yet employment opportunities were few and poverty and unemployment were common.  For those seeking to better their lot and could afford the trip - New York became the favorite landing spot for immigrants to the United States.   

Ireland lost 20% of its population during the years surrounding the Great Hunger - which started when the potato crop failed in 1845.  Conditions were made worse by the government’s response and refugees fled to cities like Belfast or entered the infamous workhouses. The horrors of mass starvation were highest in the southwestern province of Munster.  Many that did not die crossed the Irish Sea to England or Scotland looking for food and work.  Others with a little more money joined the swelling Irish communities in port cities on the East Coast of America.  Still others landed in urban centers across the Midwest and those that were too poor remained behind.   

The 18% on the ethnicity map broadly attributed to Great Britain might possibly be explained by the dispersion and migration of my forebears from Ireland.  The statistical range of ethnicity is anywhere from 0 to 43 percent.  So add to the bloodline the Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans.  For the maternal side of the family the sum of my total ethnicity associated with the United Kingdom could be 57% - give or take. Nevertheless, this calculus is quite complicated and further blurred by overlap.  

Consider the remaining approximate paternal half that may constitute Europe West – namely Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein – NOT exclusively Germany.  Allow me to explain.

This part of the European continent witnessed hundreds upon hundreds of years of migrations and conquering armies, including Romans, Franks, Gauls, and Germanic tribes. If you go back far enough you will encounter the Celts.  While generally associated with the people of Ireland and Scotland - the Celts emerged as a unique culture in central Europe more than 2,500 years ago in what is now Austria.  They spread and settled in the areas of today’s western Germany and eastern France, generally near the Rhine and Danube Rivers.  By 450 B.C., their influence and the Celtic language had spread across most of western Europe, including the areas that are now France, the Iberian Peninsula and the British Isles.  Early in the 4th century B.C. - Celtic tribes in northern Italy invaded and sacked Rome - setting the stage for centuries of conflict.

The 'lower-confidence' categories that make up the remainder of my ethnicity are linked to the Carthaginians, Celtic and Iberian tribes, Moors, Huns, Vandals, Goths, Visigoths, Ostrogoths, barbarians at the gate and a Caliphate or two.  Top it off with a smattering of Viking and Ashkenazi Jew.  So much for being exactly one-half German. 

By all outward appearances my DNA is a product of both famine and hardship further complicated by invasion, vanquishing armies, pillaging, sacking, occupation, retreat, rinse, wash and repeat.  All the while I suspect that plenty of the victorious (and whoever survived) planted their seed in the process.  In the final analysis – the 50/50 figure isn’t too far off the mark.  It simply happens to be more complicated – particularly on the western European side of the family.   

Migration is the central explanation for why I’m here in America and likely explains most of my ethnicity.  My people were principally refugees fleeing famine or conflict - maybe some of each.  For sure they were looking to improve their lives - economically and otherwise.  With a nod to the brown-skinned Spanish-speaking people who keep Wisconsin's dairy industry running like a finely-tuned milk jug it takes some cojones to leave your kinfolk, or uproot your family and move to another country.  I'm unable to wrap my own mind around it and as crazy as the world seems from time-to-time I cannot think of any rational reason to bolt my current lot in life.  As nonsensical as it may seem to the casual observer even the act of fleeing your homeland for a place where you are unwelcome as a consequence of your religion or country of origin requires no small measure of character. My people rose above the animus directed at them for their religious and ethnic differences because of the strength of their character.

Speaking as a totally assimilated guy with hybrid vigor flowing thru his veins I've learned a couple of things.  You cannot pick and choose your ancestors.  You cannot control the haters.  And character counts for more than the foregoing.  

Cheers!