28 upvotes, 5 direct replies (showing 5)
View submission: What's the longest unanswered question in your family's history?
DNA testing shows that our native ancestry was non-existent, though it was passed down to all of us that we were descended from natives. Turns out that's a very common story in certain subcultures - my family is Appalachian and it's very common there - and the reasons for it vary, but it was often told to hide ancestry that would have been less socially acceptable.
Comment by mothraegg at 24/02/2025 at 18:40 UTC
8 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Oh that's interesting. My great or maybe great great grandfather was supposed to be 100% Cherokee. Well when my sisters and I received our DNA, we did not have any Native American DNA. My dad did the test and nope, no Cherokee DNA. My dad's side of the the family is from a small town in Missouri.
Comment by wawa2022 at 24/02/2025 at 16:27 UTC
13 upvotes, 2 direct replies
There was nothing less socially acceptable. Many AAs have Indian ancestry but their grandparents passed for black because back then, the only thing worse than black was Indian. There’s a great documentary on the Native American influence on black music.
Comment by No-Marketing7759 at 24/02/2025 at 18:42 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Unless it's changed, it doesn't show up on the popular DNA tests. I don't know how to explain it. It's exhausting reading all the whys.
Comment by vikingvol at 24/02/2025 at 20:05 UTC
2 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Appalachian family also and yes we had vague stories of a Native American great great grandmother. The DNA doesn't bear that out though. I show 0 my Mom and her brothers show trace like less than .1% which should be much higher at least in someone in the family. Of the 7 people I know have taken thw test none of them show more than traces.
Comment by Elegant-Past-3511 at 24/02/2025 at 18:28 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
exact same in my family