![Single cherry blossom at Ueno Park (Flower season at Tokyo) (Tōto no Hana) Ueno Kōen no Sakura. Postcard, [between 1920 and 1940]. https://www.loc.gov/resource/ppmsca.57233/](https://d2rj6cu2ik1biv.cloudfront.net/193c804a-a673-47bd-b09b-11baf4822a17/8a8dff5c-6a1d-4023-85d5-322aae3fbb7d/443a1e27-6d9f-4f43-8f72-9a3475b9bf00/thumbnails/3d5d7969-c099-47f6-b2f1-997e3627951a.jpg?w=1200&webp=1 "japan-blossom")
Every family has its stories. From tales of migration and hidden heritage to long-held assumptions about where we come from, these stories help shape our sense of identity.
We spoke to three people who were curious to discover what lay behind their family narratives so took a MyHeritage DNA test. The results confirmed some beliefs, challenged others and left them with a host of new questions.
Molly's story
I thought I was almost entirely ‘English’, although hearing stories from relatives left me eager to learn more. So I was shocked when Scottish and Welsh came out higher than English, which is something I had no prior knowledge of.
My maternal grandparents have Italian backgrounds, so I thought this would have been higher than the result showed; instead, Italian was trumped by both German and Irish.
Ed's story
I’ve always perceived myself as half Japanese and half English, so I’ve always felt a sense of being a bit lost. So, when the results revealed I was more than half Japanese and mixture of 7 other ethnicities, I felt strangely validated: finally my feelings had somewhere to settle.
Katie's story
My mother’s Irish heritage is no secret. She comes from a large family in Cork who love to talk about the past and keep family stories alive. The mystery lay on my father’s side.
Born in London’s East End, like his father before him, my dad grew up with the family narrative that his grandfather had arrived from Germany in exile, anglicising his Jewish surname to avoid persecution. I was excited to discover just how much of my DNA might trace back to Germany.
The results revealed a predictably large percentage of Irish heritage, but only a tiny amount of German ancestry. Instead of providing answers, the test left me with even more questions. How did this family story develop? Was there some truth to it that had become distorted over time? And what is the real story of my great-grandfather?
Far from closing the book on my family history, the results have only fuelled my curiosity. I've caught the genealogy bug and can't wait to continue the investigation.
Curious? Here's how to take the first step
For Molly, Ed and Katie taking a DNA test wasn't only an affirmation of their true heritage but a first step to discovering more about the unexplored parts of themselves.
A MyHeritage DNA kit is a remarkably easy way to satisfy that curiosity. Tests arrive quickly. It simply requires a low-stress cheek swab and a short wait of a couple of weeks to get the results.
Why take a MyHeritage DNA test?
- 104 million users
- Discover ethnic origins across 2,000+ regions
- Find living relatives you didn't know existed
- Simple at-home kit with results in weeks
Now is a great time to test your DNA for less, as kits are available for only £19.90* – down from £79.
*Offer subject to availability and may change - please check the website for current pricing and terms.