Sample 1 - Christopher

Our first subject is Christopher, born and raised in western Sweden.

Christopher's ancestral lineage presents a straightforward exploration when delving into his recent and ancestral heritage. Through the utilization of

genetic testing services such as AncestryDNA, 23AndMe, Genotek, and MyHeritage, a distinct and discernible pattern has emerged in his aggregated ancestral composition. With each of his four grandparents originating from diverse ethnic backgrounds, a swift verification can be attained by juxtaposing his genetic profile with the comprehensive construct of his familial lineage.

The subject in question has asked that the percentages remains disclosed due to the various different DNA results showing a different amount.

## Genetic History

### Genetic Makeup / Ethnicity

#### Scandinavian

* Västra Götaland County, Sweden
* Västerbotten County, Sweden

*The Scandinavian peoples, also known as the North Germanic people, hailing from countries like Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland, are renowned for their rich cultural heritage, which includes the Viking legacy, breathtaking natural landscapes, and a strong emphasis on social equality and well-being.*

*This group shows dominance in Christopher's recent DNA and ancestral history, sharing genetic history with the Västra Götaland and Västerbotten communities, almost sharing first place with his Finno-Ugric DNA but is below.*

#### Finno-Ugric

**Finnish**

* South Ostrobothnia, Finland

**Karelian**

* Republic of Karelia, Russia

**Erzya**

* Nizhny Novgorod, Russia

*The Finno-Ugric peoples, encompassing groups such as the Finns, Sámi, Estonians, Hungarians and various indigenous peoples in Russia, share a linguistic and cultural connection. They've thrived in the Northern European and Uralic regions, leaving a legacy of unique languages and traditions that reflect their historical resilience and distinctive identity.*

*The Finno-Ugric DNA is the stronger of them all in Christopher's makeup, with a clear picture of his recent and distant ancestry.*

#### Eastern European

**Slavic**

* Leningrad Oblast, Russia
* Moscow Oblast, Russia
* Tver Oblast, Russia

*Slavic people, including Russians, Ukrainians, and Poles, have a shared heritage rooted in Slavic languages, Orthodox Christianity, and a history of both cultural exchange and political challenges. Their diverse traditions, from literature to folk arts, contribute to the rich tapestry of the region's history.*

*The individual asserts a heritage of Polish origin and has substantiated this assertion through genealogical investigation. However, genetic analyses have not identified any discernible Polish genetic markers within their genetic composition; instead, the results appear to align more distinctly with a genetic affinity towards Russian regions. This intriguing disparity warrants closer examination, prompting us to undertake further comprehensive study in this regard.*

#### East Asian & Indigenous American

**Northern Asian**

* Manchurian & Mongolian
* Siberian
* Broadly Northern Asian

*Mongolians and Siberians, northern Asian peoples, are marked by their vast landscapes, harsh climates, and nomadic heritage. The Mongolians, known for Genghis Khan's empire, maintain their unique culture, while Siberians encompass various indigenous groups with deep connections to nature and survival in extreme conditions.*

*This represents the most intriguing aspect of our initial subject's DNA profile. Within the framework of his European and Uralic lineage, there emerges a subtle trace of distant Northern Asian genetic heritage. This phenomenon may bear significance in relation to his Finno-Ugric genetic components, considering the historical interaction and migratory patterns that have intertwined between these groups and the Siberian region. Furthermore, this observation could potentially allude to historical implications tied to the Mongolian invasion of Russian territories.*

### Ancient Ancestry

#### The Norsemen

*The Norsemen, commonly known as the Vikings, were seafaring people hailing from the Scandinavian regions, mainly Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Renowned for their maritime prowess and exploration, they voyaged extensively during the Viking Age (8th to 11th centuries). These intrepid adventurers left an indelible mark on history through their expeditions, trade, cultural exchange, and occasional raids across Europe and beyond. The Vikings' legacy continues to captivate modern imagination, highlighting their contributions to maritime history and cultural exchange during the early medieval period.*

*By utilizing the MyTrueAncestry platform, we have successfully employed methodologies to delve deeper into the analysis of DNA, extending our exploration into the realms of ancient and medieval epochs. Christopher's genetic profile has yielded a pronounced outcome, distinctly indicating a connection to the Norsemen, colloquially referred to as the Vikings, of course through his Scandinavian DNA.*

#### Scythians

*The Scythians were an ancient nomadic civilization originating from the Eurasian Steppe around 9th century BCE. Known for their horsemanship and archery skills, they roamed the region spanning from Central Asia to the Black Sea. Renowned for their elaborate burial practices, the Scythians left behind intricate artifacts and mounds that offer insights into their culture. They played a significant role in trade, diplomacy, and cultural interactions between different ancient civilizations.*

*The presence of Scythian ancestry within an individual of Slavic DNA might be attributed to historical migrations, interactions, and intermixing between various ancient populations. The Scythians were nomadic and had extensive contacts with neighboring groups, which could have included Slavic ancestors. Over time, intermarriage, trade, or even conquests could have led to the integration of Scythian genetic elements into the Slavic gene pool. This genetic legacy might persist through generations, even as populations moved and cultures evolved.*

#### Uralic Peoples

*The ancient Uralic peoples inhabited a vast expanse stretching from the Ural Mountains in Russia across Northern Europe. They were characterized by their linguistic and cultural ties within the Uralic language family. Engaged in a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, they adapted to diverse environments, from the Siberian taiga to the Baltic shores. Their societies cultivated a close relationship with nature, relying on hunting, fishing, and early forms of agriculture. The Uralic peoples' historical legacy is marked by their distinctive languages and cultural practices, influencing the formation of modern-day Finno-Ugric and Sami communities.*

*Due to the seniority of the Uralic and Finno-Ugric ethnicities relative to all European counterparts, Christopher's ancestral DNA exhibits an unbroken link distinct from his contemporary genetic makeup.*

### Haplogroups & Migrations

#### Paternal Haplogroup

**I-Z60**

* Haplogroup I-Z60 and the link to Norse Expansion in the Medieval Era

*Today, Christopher shares his haplogroup with all the men who are paternal-line descendants of the common ancestor of I-Z60, including other 23andMe customers. 1 in 180 of 23andMe customers share Christopher's paternal haplogroup assignment.*

*Christopher and Alexander Hamilton are descendants of a man who lived in northern Europe around 5,000 years ago.*

*Haplogroup I-Z60 is a subclade of haplogroup I-M170, which is a paternal lineage that traces back to a common male ancestor. Haplogroup I-M170 is found at varying frequencies across Europe, with its highest prevalence in northern Europe, particularly among populations in Scandinavia, Finland, and the Baltic states.*

*Haplogroup I-Z60 is a more specific branch within haplogroup I-M170. It is associated with the Norse or Viking expansion during the medieval period. This lineage has been linked to the historical movements and migrations of Scandinavian peoples, particularly those who engaged in seafaring and exploration. The presence of I-Z60 has been observed in areas settled by Vikings, suggesting a genetic marker of their historical influence.*

#### Maternal Haplogroup

**Z1a1**

* Haplogroup Z and the Dual Origin of the Saami

*Today, Christopher shares his haplogroup with all the maternal-line descendants of the common ancestor of Z1a1, including other 23andMe customers. 1 in 10,000 of 23AndMe customers shares Christopher's maternal haplogroup assignment.*

*Though women carrying haplogroup Z did not travel east into North America, some turned and migrated west, all the way to the northern tip of Europe. Their maternal-line descendants make up approximately 7% of the Finnish Saami who live there today. The Saami, also known as the Lapps or Laplanders, are an indigenous ethnic group of northern Scandinavia and Russia's Kola peninsula. Evidence suggests that they probably migrated to their homeland from southern Europe after the Ice Age. However, the presence of haplogroup Z, which is virtually nonexistent in the rest of Europe, shows that they have ancestry from the east as well.*

*Research suggests that relatively recent invasions by Huns, Avars and Mongols, likely brought Z into Scandinavia and Russia's Volga river basin. Then, likely within the last 3,000 years, another small migration brought women from the Volga-Ural region to the northern reaches, tying together people on opposite ends of the Eurasian continent.*

### Neanderthal Ancestry

*Christopher have more Neanderthal DNA than 75% of other customers.*

*Christopher inherited a small amount of DNA from his Neanderthal ancestors. Out of the 7,462 variants 23andMe tested, they found 256 variants in his DNA that trace back to the Neanderthals.*

*All together, Christopher's Neanderthal ancestry accounts for less than ~2 percent of his DNA.*