DNA

A few years ago, right after my mom died, I got a call from a cousin (mom's brother's daughter who is probably mid-sixties and already a great grandmother). She had a request because she had always heard rumors that we had a Native American ancestor- she wanted ME to take the $500 test to check the mitocondrial DNA. Well, frankly I didn't care enough to do it- how would it change my life unless I could claim a casino as my own? I did, however, question my aunt (mom's sister) about this rumor and she poo-pooed it soundly. My uncle (mom's brother) and grandfather (mom's father) were both very Native American looking, and frankly my mom looked more like an Asian- all had black eyes and hair too. But you see, the problem is that the DNA would only trace my mother's ancestory on the female side so I am not sure if it would even show up since the 'suspect' would probably be on my grandfather's side (or before).

So I forgot about it until the NYTs ran an article about geneological DNA testing for $100- so I immediately got in touch with one of the companies sited. Today I have done the cheek swabs (ha! They want scrapings!) and will send it off tomorrow Stay tuned.

Until I hear definitively I will not invest in buffalo skin teepees. And if you are Native American, rest easy that I won't be making any claims to anything. Unless I can get some fry bread delivered.