DNA Test In!

Pat's DNA test results

This year I gave Pat a DNA test for a Christmas present. Pat claims he is a "mutt."  Well, who isn't?  
The results of his DNA test came in on Christmas Eve. Good timing!

What we knew about Pat's ancestry (Flynn) before the DNA test was that his father was of Irish ancestry. His maternal ancestry is French. In fact his maternal ancestors (Nicolas Pelletier) colonized Quebec in the middle 1600's!  Thus it came somewhat as a surprise that Pat's DNA test results show his ancestry is 60% Ireland & Scotland. The balance of his ancestry is 33% England, Wales and Northwestern Europe.  His French ancestry is only 4%. Another surprise is that he has 3% Norwegian ancestry. Pat says his Scandinavian ancestry accounts for his love of the clean lines of Scandinavian furniture. Every one of our quarterly vacations includes visits to furniture stores checking out the latest clean Scandinavian furniture. IKEA is Pat's absolute favorite destination.

What I find very interesting with these DNA tests is the accuracy of the migration information. Pat's is absolutely accurate in that his ancestral migration was the Saint Lawrence River French Settlers.

Ron's DNA test results

My ancestry was no surprise for me. I knew from my family research history that my paternal line came from England via Jamaica.  My nine times grandfather Jonathan Tipton emigrated to Baltimore County Maryland in 1692 after the Great Earthquake of Port Royale in Jamaica. What was he doing in Jamaica?  He was one of the English colonists, probably by way of indentured servant, of Jamaica.  He was originally from Shropshire, England.

On my maternal side of my family my great-great grandfather Thomas Hadfield emigrated to America via way of New York with his young wife and two young children.  They had lived in Glossop, England. I have the ship manifest to prove that fact. I also have the record of the Baltimore Gazette that proves Jonathan Tipton emigrated to Baltimore County Maryland, his obituary. 

One of the great joys in my life was discovering my family roots. If a genie in a bottle popped up one day and gave me a wish, I would wish that I could visit back in time my ancestors. Wouldn't that be fascinating?  

Throwback Thursday - April 1994 - Uncle Aster

My Grand Uncle Aster Lewis and me in front of a historic general store in Jonesboro, Tennessee - 1994

This week's Throwback Thursday is a recognition of my grand uncle Aster Lewis (1919-1997).

The photo in this posting is of my Uncle Aster Lewis and myself taken in the historic town of Jonesborough, Tennessee (in 1994 - over twenty years ago)!

Uncle Aster was significant in my life because he opened the way for my genealogical research into my paternal family line.

The spring of 1994 was the first year I met my grand uncle Aster.  Before that date I didn't even know he existed.  How it came about that I knew I had an Uncle Aster was from my Aunt Peg Tipton.  

Aster was the son of Isaac Ledford Lewis, my great grandfather and the father of my grandmother Hester Lewis Tipton, who married my grandfather Fieldon Tipton. 

Uncle Aster's father and my great grandfather Isaac Ledford Lewis - abt. 1940

Aunt Peg knew I was interested in researching my paternal line of Tiptons from whence they came in western North Carolina.  

My great grandfather Isaac Lewis (no relation to Jerry Lewis)

When I left my job at the bank in Philadelphia on April 1st, 1994 (I quit), I made plans to visit my brother John in Greenville, South Carolina.  From John's home it is a two hour drive to the mountains of western North Carolina which borders on eastern Tennessee and the city of Johnson City, Tennessee.  Aunt Peg gave me Uncle Aster's phone number and suggested I call him knowing that he would know folks who still were living who knew my grandfather Fieldon Tipton before he moved with his family to southeastern Pennsylvania during the late 1920's to seek work (they were starving in the mountainous hills of western North Carolina - oh yes - they were hillbillies - when his lumber business went belly up. 

Me headed up to the top of the mountain to Goldwater Cemetery where my great grandfather Isaac Lewis is buried

Uncle Aster was a traveling, fire and brimstone, preacher.  He was very poor but generous with his time and knowledge in helping me research my family history.

I specifically remember one thing he said to me when I left.  He said "God be with you Ron because I know I'll never see you again."  And you know what folks, I never did again.  He died three years later but I will be forever thankful to him form providing me the path to research my family history through his introductions.  

The headstone of my great grandfather Isaac Lewis's grave at the top of the mountain which is now inaccessible

The Coldwater Cemetery, a private Lewis cemetery located at the top of a mountain on Upper Pigeon Roost Road, Green Mountain, Tennessee.

Pictured above are Glenn Renfro (who owns the land and is married to Wanda Byrd who is the granddaughter of Pansy Tipton, who was the sister of my grandfather Fieldon Tipton - I hope you go that and your head doesn't hurt now).

Aster Lewis is in the center of the photo and my brother John is to the far right.  He was taking a video.  You can see him shouldering the video camera (this was before iPhones and videos).  

This was and is a beautiful and peaceful cemetery now inaccessible.  A side note; during my last visit three years ago Glenn Renfo's son Jerry asked me if I was gay (specifically he asked "There is a rumor that you practice the gay lifestyle, is that true?"  I told him I was (I answered his question by saying "If you're asking me if I'm gay, I am").  He was the relative (second cousin, once removed) who  threatened me by saying "If you ever visit my parent's again you'll have me to deal with!"  

Of course I haven't been back since but I am so appreciative to my dear Grand Uncle Aster who providing the hospitality that the South is known for when I visited him over twenty years ago.  

Uncle Aster at his mother's grave (not my great grandmother, my great grandfather married a second time after his first wife my great grandmother died) in Johnson City, Tennessee.  Aster's wife is to the left. Aster is now buried in this cemetery.