Step by Step: mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) and auDNA (autosomal DNA)
Participating in Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge has been an enlightening journey, and this week's prompt, "Step," brings a multitude of meanings to mind. Whether it's taking a physical step, progressing through tasks, or the steps in musical scales, the concept of "step" resonates in diverse ways. However, for this blog post, I'm exploring a more personal dimension of "step" — my experience as a stepmother.
In late 1986, I married a young widower, and embraced the role of stepmother to his daughter, who was just shy of her fourth birthday, having lost her mother in 1985. Our family included my biological daughter, making our household a blend of laughter, challenges, and sisterly bonds.
As the girls grew up, the advent of DNA testing added a new layer to our family's story. Initially, my interest in DNA testing was sparked by a desire to learn more about my own roots. Through mtDNA testing at Family Tree DNA, I discovered that I belong to the rare Haplogroup I, a group intriguingly nicknamed "Iris".
The real surprise came when we learned that my stepdaughter also belonged to Haplogroup I, though she is Haplogroup I2. Considering we're both this rare mtDNA haplogroup, I couldn't help but wonder about the odds of such a coincidence.
Though she and I are both I's, there is a difference because my Haplogroup I includes some mutations that aren't found in other "I's". My mtFull Sequence test was completed in July of 2014 at Family Tree DNA, and we had no matches until December of 2014. As of the date of this blog post, that match in December 2014 is the only Genetic Distance - 0 match on our match list.
Over the years, DNA testing has not only fascinated us with such revelations but also united us in unexpected ways. Our family now boasts several "Irises," including six granddaughters and a grandson, who also carries his mother's mtDNA haplogroup.
Another surprise was in the early days of auDNA (autosomal DNA), she shared small segments of DNA with my father. I believe that I know where the connection is, and one day I will write about it.
This journey through genetics has redefined what family means to us, blurring the lines between step and biological relations. Our journey is also a testament to the fact that family isn't just about DNA; it's about the steps we take to embrace, love, and understand each other, making every discovery a step toward greater unity.
This content was crafted for Amy Johnson Crow's 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge, focusing on the theme "Step" this week.
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