Have you ever done a DNA test?

[Twotooto]

I’ve just started listening to a series called The Gift on BBC Sounds which tells the stories of people who have had shock discoveries after doing an ancestry DNA test. It’s absolutely fascinating.

On the one hand I’m quite curious about my genetic make up, but despite being relatively sure there would be nothing shocking I don’t think I could cope if I did discover something!

I'm curious too but worried about putting my DNA on file, though no idea why as I've nothing to hide!!

Yes, the thought of having my DNA stored on a massive central database also massively puts me off.

I am the same, very curious about my ancestry (not my parents, they are definitely mine, unfortunately) but I do not want to give a private corporation my DNA. There was also a data breach recently of one of the big ones.

Yes and we found a whole other branch of the family in America. DM was adopted and turns out her father was an American GI, we now have a whole lot of cousins and a new Aunt. It was a shock but a lovely one. We also have links to her mothers family but distant ones.

Yes, well my sister did just before Christmas, she’s unearthed a half brother of my mum’s 🥴

Someone contacted me via Facebook and said their mother was my sister. I signed up to Ancestory did all the stuff and it turned out she wasn't. I deleted the account straight away and apparently all my information has been wiped from their system (who knows how true that is?!) It was a very handy way to go about it without turning our whole family upside down but I wouldn't have signed up without good reason. I went into it prepared to find a long lost family member and it was still a bit of a mindfuck to be honest so I can't imagine people who do it for a bit of fun and find out things they don't want to know.

Yes and absolutely no surprises.

You get a list of connected relatives who have permitted their names to be used. There is a man who might be a second or third cousin of my father who put his photo up. Stand this bloke in a line of my father and uncles and he fits right in. I must message him one day, just for the fun of it.