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My Global Family: Discovering 7 Million Cousins and Counting

In recent years, genetic genealogy has taken the world by storm, connecting people from all corners of the globe in a way never before imagined. With the rise of DNA testing, individuals have been able to uncover their ancestral roots and establish connections with newfound relatives. This article delves into the fascinating world of genetic genealogy, exploring the science behind uncovering distant relatives and the impact it has had on individuals’ sense of identity and belonging.

My curiosity aroused after reading an article that one out of 200 living person’s ancestry go back to Genghis Khan. Genghis khan lived only 800 years ago. Within 800 years, how could he father one out of 200. And he had only two spouses. Well, I told myself at the time of Genghis Khan there were at least 200 million other people like him who could also be our common parents. Then I did a math and noticed that we are all related and cousins if we simply go back 500 years. I started taking DNA ancestry tests from all available companies around the globe. Using sophistcated technics I have identified 7 million cousins so far globally by going back only five generations

Photo by Sangharsh Lohakare on Unsplash

Cousin in my termology means at least of common ancestor.

When I travelled globally, something interesting came to my mind. Explore the relatives. Every city and even village l visited, I had some sort of cousins from Australia to Iceland. From Africa to China. I even found relatives in Siberia. Unbelievable, but true both genetically and mathematically. If you know math well and you know probabilities, you can create a family tree with billions of other family trees attached to them. Amazingly every city I travelled to I took a GPS and in some areas there were hundreds of relatives.

I knocked a door, they opened it and I said hi cousin I love you. Some people got disapponted at me and wanted to call police. “ Wait, I do not want to bug you” I just want to let you know that based on DNA testing you are my fifth generation cousin” I replied. That simple!

Exploring the Fascinating World of Genetic Genealogy

Genetic genealogy is a field that combines traditional genealogical research with DNA testing to explore and understand familial relationships. It involves analyzing an individual’s genetic material, specifically their DNA, to determine their ancestry and identify potential relatives. This scientific approach has opened up a whole new avenue for individuals eager to uncover their family history and connect with their roots.

With the advent of affordable and accessible DNA testing kits, more and more people are turning to genetic genealogy to learn about their heritage. Companies like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage have made it possible for individuals to easily obtain their DNA sample and submit it for analysis. This has led to an explosion in the number of people taking these tests and an exponential increase in the global family network.

DNA testing works by analyzing specific regions of an individual’s DNA known as markers. These markers can be compared to those of others in a database, allowing for the identification of potential relatives. By analyzing the similarities and differences in these markers, genetic genealogists can estimate the degree of relatedness between individuals and trace back their common ancestry.

Discovering the Power of Shared DNA: Uniting Long-Lost Relatives

One of the most powerful aspects of genetic genealogy is its ability to connect long-lost relatives. Through DNA matches, individuals can find siblings, cousins, or even parents they never knew existed. These emotional reunions have brought immense joy and a sense of closure to families who have been separated for generations, proving that the bonds of family transcend time and distance.

As the popularity of genetic genealogy has grown, so too has the number of online genealogy services. These platforms offer individuals the opportunity to build their family tree, connect with relatives, and explore their heritage in-depth. With each passing year, these services become more sophisticated, providing users with an ever-expanding network of potential relatives to connect with.

For many, genetic genealogy has been a transformative experience, allowing them to piece together missing parts of their family history. By utilizing DNA matches, individuals can corroborate the information they have gathered through traditional genealogical research, filling in gaps and confirming previously unknown connections. This process has provided individuals with a more comprehensive understanding of their family’s story.

DNA testing has the potential to unveil unexpected ancestral connections. Individuals who believed they had a homogeneous background have been surprised to learn that they have genetic ties to diverse regions of the world. This newfound understanding of their heritage has prompted many to explore different cultures, traditions, and even languages, fostering a deeper appreciation for the richness of their own global family.

Genetic genealogy has not only connected individuals with their immediate relatives but has also opened up a window into the cultural diversity of their extensive global family. Through DNA testing, individuals have discovered connections to various ethnicities and communities, enabling them to explore and embrace their multicultural heritage. This newfound knowledge has broadened their horizons and deepened their sense of belonging to a vast global tapestry of humanity.

While genetic genealogy has brought about numerous benefits, it is essential to recognize its limitations. DNA testing can only provide information up to a certain point in time, usually a few hundred years back. Additionally, the accuracy of results can be influenced by the size and diversity of the DNA database used for comparison. Nevertheless, genetic genealogy remains a powerful tool for uncovering familial connections and exploring one’s heritage. However with some companies that work they cam find the ancestry up to 3000 with 99.9 % accuracy.

In conclusion, the world of genetic genealogy has unveiled a vast global family, connecting individuals with millions of cousins they never knew they had. Through the rise of DNA testing, the science behind uncovering distant relatives has become more accessible than ever before. The power of shared DNA has united long-lost relatives, while online genealogy services have provided a platform for individuals to explore their family history. DNA testing has not only allowed individuals to piece together their family tree but has also led to the discovery of surprising ancestral connections and a newfound appreciation for the cultural diversity of their extensive global family. While the benefits of genetic genealogy are undeniable, it is crucial to understand its limitations and consider the ethical implications of uncovering unexpected family ties. Nonetheless, genetic genealogy has undoubtedly had a profound impact on individuals’ sense of identity and belonging in an increasingly interconnected world. If I knock your door and say hi, don’t get surprised believe me, if we go back to only ten generations or less than 500 years back from both parent sides you are 100% my cousin guaranteed.

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