Prompt #17 (Apr 23-Apr 29): "DNA" - Adeline Eileen Gunderson
I have been a passionate genealogist for almost thirty years now. When the popularity of having your DNA tested came about I didn't really see the point. I had exhausted Norwegian and Swedish records to the extent that I "knew" the names of my direct ancestors as far back as there were records.
On the request of three sisters who were family friends, I had done some digging and put together their family tree. They wanted to pay me for my hard work. I don't think they understood what pleasure digging through records gave me. That was indeed payment enough. They bought me a DNA kit. Initially, no surprise. While others got a colorful wheel, mine was rather straightforward. Ancestry.com says I am 48% Norwegian and 52% Swedish.
Then, with time came more and more cousin DNA matches. Because I had a pretty large genealogical tree I could figure out how many of these cousins were related to me and which ancestral couple we shared. I got a message through Ancestry.com from a third cousin. She had seen my family tree and saw an ancestor of hers in it. She was related on my Norwegian side. We were third cousins, as we shared a set of great great grandparents. She invited me to meet with her family, her grandmother wanted to meet me.
Her grandmother! This was the cousin of my grandmother! Adeline lived in Chicago in the house built by my great great uncle Lauritz, who had immigrated from Norway over 100 years ago. My husband and I met with her and her (my) family at her home. We shared information, photos and had a wonderful time. We kept in touch.
Adeline passed on January 25th of this year, one month before her 100th birthday! They had a memorial service on what would have been her 100th birthday and we met more family (great people) and even got a photo of my great great grandfather!
Chicago was a popular place to immigrate to around the start of the 20th century and I have discovered and sometimes connected with lots of Chicagoland cousins through our sharing of DNA. I often wonder how many cousins in the area I may have passed without knowing! Concerning DNA and genetics it also is somewhat amazing how even remote cousins can "click" in their similarity to me! The old "nature vs nurture" debate I suppose.
So happy and blessed to have known you Adeline!
From Amy Johnson Crow, a genealogist, far more experienced then I. "The data that we've accumulated in our genealogy software and in our binders and folders doesn't do a whole lot of good just sitting there. We need to do something with it." Each week she sends out a prompt to share a bit about an ancestor, collateral relative, or family friend.
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