General Chat

Getty Dr Tom Booth, a bio-archaeologist who specialises in ancient DNA, warned people against basing their identities on the results
Ancestry companies who say they can link you back to the Vikings is “complete bunkum”, according to a scientist who worked on the DNA of Cheddar Man.
Dr Tom Booth, a bio-archaeologist who specialises in ancient DNA, warned people against basing their identities on the results from such companies, saying that results can become unclear past three centuries.
“What I really don’t like about these companies is that they market themselves as linking you to medieval populations, which is complete bunkum, you can’t do that.”
Related: First known Briton had dark skin, blue eyes (Video provided by Reuters)

I don't think many on here take the ethnicity estimates too seriously. That is especially true as the results change considerably as they add more sites.

The DNA results when matched with trees can be very useful in confirming that one's research on a particular branch is correct.

I agree with Kense. A lot has been said about ethnic identities but those with trees are looking for confirmation of the hours put in establishing paper trails to our ancestors.

I was so happy when my DNA linked up and I have my maternal grandmother's line confirmed back to my 4th gt grandparent born in the late 1790s and out to an American gentleman whose grandfather was on my tree.

I have also found a line from my paternal grandfather to my 3rd gt grandparents born 1780s and out via 3 of their children. :-D

My ethnic estimates haves changed dramaticley each time Ancestry revises them The same results on a different website are completely different. Where DNA is useful is to confirm relationships. I've been able to almost certainly confirm my birth father from a link. Couldn't have been done any other way.

Andy