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Take me right? I have ancestors I know nothing about. I was doing some research just now on Ancestry. Apparently I have Swedish records going back to the mid 1500s. Only problem is, I know nothing about these people. Why is it that we know nothing about those before us?

I've taken to archiving everything I can. I have some knowledge up to a few of my third great-grandparents. Anything prior I don't know. If you can, I'd recommend doing the same. Be warned though, it is time consuming. You also may dig up stuff about people and or yourself you may find shocking (and the rest I'd have to write is for another post).

So what do you all think? Why is it we don't know about our past ancestors?

Take me right? I have ancestors I know nothing about. I was doing some research just now on Ancestry. Apparently I have Swedish records going back to the mid 1500s. Only problem is, I know nothing about these people. Why is it that we know nothing about those before us? I've taken to archiving everything I can. I have some knowledge up to a few of my third great-grandparents. Anything prior I don't know. If you can, I'd recommend doing the same. Be warned though, it is time consuming. You also may dig up stuff about people and or yourself you may find shocking (and the rest I'd have to write is for another post). So what do you all think? Why is it we don't know about our past ancestors?

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[–] • 0 pt

What makes you comfortable using 23andme?

[–] • 1 pt

I get shitloads of info, and I haven't committed an felonies so I don't care who knows what about me. I mean ... ancestry, recessives, health risks. Met two second cousins I never knew about. Like I said, early adopter: $79 and a vial of spit well spent, IMO.

[–] • 0 pt

My take on it is privacy.

It gives someone else your DNA.

Someone once gave me a theory. What if they took that DNA and put it into a database right? And then, they use it to track people by satellite or something.

There goes your privacy.

As for you having done it; good for you and I'm glad you found extended family, especially that of a second cousin.

[–] • 1 pt

It has occurred to me more than once that once my DNA is out there, it's out there for good. I just don't care is all. In 20 years they'll harvest it from kids, just like when I was a kid and they used to line us up in the gym for the very painful pneumatic vaccination that made all the girls and half the boys scream and cry.