How can the 'average Joe' trace the past whereabouts of his ancestors as Whoopi Goldberg did?

Question

"Goldberg learned that her genetic makeup is overwhelmingly Papel and Bayote, tribes indigenous to this country [Guinea-Bissau) on Africa's western seaboard."

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=2857064&CMP=OTC-RSSFeeds0312

Answer 1

The article says she took a DNA test, which I've heard about before. All you have to do is contact one of the companies that does it and you can find out, too. It's a bit pricey, though - usually over $100 US for a basic test. Just do a Yahoo or Google search on "DNA and genealogy" and you'll find a bunch of places that do the testing.

Answer 2

A DNA test (Mine was $149, from DNATree) will tell you two things:

1) What makeup you have (Western European, American Indian, etc.) and

2) How close you are to other males with your surname (They use the Y chromosone) who were also tested. If, for instance,
a) Your last name was Bush,
b) President Bush tested his DNA too
c) Your DNA matched his in 37 out of 37 points,

there would be a 99% chance you had a common ancestor in the last 300 years, and you two could start comparing notes. You might to find out you were 5th cousins.

The first part works no matter what. The second part works only if other males with your surname get tested by the same company.

The first one doesn't tell you who; only that you have, for instance, Native American markers. Your 5th great grandfather who was NA might have been Sitting Bull, or a no-account chicken thief or (most likely) someone in between the two in status.

You can trace your ancestry without a DNA test; that is what Genealogists do. The resolved questions inthis category are full of links and hints.

Answer 3

OOH OOH! i just did it! National Geographic is doing it you send away for a package i think its like $90-$100 and you do a cheek swab and send it away to them and they tell you what your heritige is, but they cant tell u amounts sadly :'( but i still think its cool cuz im adopted and i dont know what i am but now i will!

try googling 'national geographic geneographic' thats what its called i think

Answer 4

Anyone can do that - it's easy. Start at Familysearch.org - lots of great info there on how to get started and how to do it.

Answer 5

Contact your local Mormon church.

You can also try:

http://www.ancestorhunt.com/mormon_church_records.htm

Answer 6

I don't know. I haven't had much faith in the average Joe's since they didn't do too hot on that reality TV show.

Answer 7

here 'ya go!

http://www.greenepa.net/~newhouse/PDF_Files/DNAandGenealogyPart2of2.pdf

Answer 8

www.myheritage.com