DNA+History+Genealogy

DNA + History + Genealogy

A Broader Approach

People interested in learning about about their family history have many choices; DNA testing, Ancestry websites included. Bouncing between these two resources often leaves people bewildered. The two often do not add up. We believe that historical context is the missing link. At the Schar Institute of Genetic Genealogy we believe that in order to know your origins, your families origins, or the origins of your ethnic group, you need to use Ancestry DNA, and Genealogy, and History, together, to understand your true ancestry. Each of those peices tell you something, when you use them all together, you get the whole story.

Here is a perfect example. My family lore was that we are Swiss. We immigrated FROM Switzerland to America therefore we are Swiss. DNA testing of the family revealed were not genetically Swiss. DNA research revealed were were a lot of things and Swiss was not one of them. Mostly a mix of Jews and Gypsies who it seems LIVED in Switzerland. Lived in Switzerland, immigrated FROM Switzerland but not Swiss.

My genealogy revealed the family immigrated to America in two different waves. The first wave came between 1720-1780 and they ended up in Pennsylvania. History reveals that between 1720-1780 the Swiss Cantons undertook an ethnic cleansing to get rid of as many "non-conformers", ie not Catholic , not Protestant, not Swiss people to leave Switzerland as was possible. This included Swiss Brethren(Anabaptists, Mennonites and Amish) , Gypsies, Jenische, and Jews. If you were not "Swiss" you needed to go.

More research revealed another group of ancestors came from Switzerland later; in a second wave. This group came to America in 1850; the year the Swiss Cantons made it illegal to live a itinerant way of life. Jews and Gypsies lived in wagons and traded as they moved from town to town. They were "vagrants" and changes in Canton law made their way of life illegal. Again, racist Swiss policies meant they had to go. Like with the first wave, it was true they immigrated FROM Switzerland, it was not true they were Swiss.

Genetic research and genealogy revealed my first wave of immigrant ancestors were closely related to the my second wave of ancestors! They only difference was the year they immigrated to America. Genetic research revealed these two waves of immigrants share DNA with modern Jewish and Gypsy families living today in Spain, Slovakia, Hungary, Germany, and Israel.

My ancestors, who immigrated between 1720 and 1780 and later in 1850, are long dead. Suffice it to say, they are not talking. And its not clear if they ever did talk. They may have come to America and became "Swiss" because their past caused them nothing but trouble. Using DNA+Genealogy+History revealed my families true story.

Things may not be as they seem. And at the Schar Institute of Genetic Genealogy we use DNA+History+Genealogy to go beyond what "seems" to what is true.

We have looked and continue to look at various groups with reported pasts that do not match DNA evidence, history, or genealogy. Project thus far have included Swiss Crypto-Jews, Spanish Jews in the Huguenot Diaspora, Gypsies whose origins are really Jewish, Afro-European Jews, Irish Americans who have recently discovered they are African American, and more. Click on the Areas of Resarch tab above and see if you find you, your family, or your ethnic group listed. You might discover something about yourself you did not know.

Uncover Your Family's Story with Services from DNA+History+G

Ancestry DNA Testing

There are several Ancestry DNA testing companies, each with their own particular strengths. Depending on your family story, we will provide you with the most appropriate DNA testing kit.

Analysis of Ancestry DNA testing

Large companies provide insight into your ancestry. However, sometimes the case requires deeper analysis. We maintain over 200 DNA studies with which are able to use to give you a more specific result than you might find on a commercial ancestry DNA report.

Certificate of Jewish DNA Ancestry

Using the most up to the minute tools of DNA analysis and Jewish DNA studies, we provide a certificate of Jewish ancestry. The certificate shows your approximate percentage of Jewish DNA and your Jewish ethnicity(i.e.Ashkenazi, Sephardi, etc.)

Certificate of Gypsy Ancestry

Our group has done detailed analysis of over 300 self described Roma, including Anglo-Romani, Welsh Kale, Finnish Cale, German Sinti, Jenish, French Manouche, Basque Bohemian, Spanish Gitano, Slovakian Gypsy, Czech Gypsy, and Ukrainian Gypsy. If you suspect you have Gypsy ancestry, and would like it verified we can help with this. Many Gypsies were deported to the New World and the Colonies and only now they are discovering their Gypsy ancestry. We will analyses your DNA and provide you with a certificate of Gypsy Ancestry

Expert Record Analysis

Our genealogists are skilled at analyzing historical records, including census records, immigration records, and military records, to provide a comprehensive picture of your family's history.

Custom Packages Available

We offer a variety of packages to suit your needs, including custom packages tailored to your specific research goals.

The Schar Institute of Genetic Genealogy