Roots Television | Megan's Roots World

Megan, I loved your video, and yes, I've been one of those people who wondered if you married a very distant cousin. I married my 10th cousin...but we didn't know it at the time!...plus he and I each have ancestral couples who were related their spouses, so our children are cousins to each other at least three different ways! ;-)

I am curious to know if during your research you ever discovered what "Smolenyak" means. In my own research, it has been very interesting to learn the meanings behind our own ancestral surnames, especially my Dutch and Frisian ones.

Sincerely,
Miriam Midkiff

Hi Miriam,

Thanks on the video. Glad you enjoyed it! "Smola" in most Slavic languages means "pitch" or "tar." The folks who still sport the name over in our village of origin speculate that the first Smolenyaks were all roofers (pitch - as in sap from trees - as in what was used in roofing, apparently), so it may have been an occupational name. But we're really not sure.

Take care,
Megan

There maybe more to the story. Megan's father line and Georges line all had mothers from the same village or near to it, the odds are if you had a DNA test for woman you find a cousins there.

My wife’s family lines go back to the 1600s here in The USA; just from the 7th Day Baptist from Newport she is her 5th 6th 7th cousin and on .all it takes are large families groups moving west and weddings over time within the church / group or towns you are bound to get this .

Great video, Megan, and so very interesting. It makes it more down to earth for the rest of us researchers who are thinking about doing the DNA. My great grandparents, Amos Ready Foote and Mary Ellen Kiddoo Foote, were found to be 34th cousins, which sure hasn't worried anyone.

Eastern European research has it's own pitfalls. My husband's Hungarian mother, evidently was in Romania with the WW II 'distribution' and I would never have known that without Ellis Island.
But the DNA process, confusing as it is to the lay person, certainly will help everyone in the long run.
Bette

Megan, your video was impressive with the amount of DNA research involved. The DNA project is still in its infancy, but I have high hopes for the future benefits with more and more contributors.
I too have roots in Slovakia and have met the frustrating situation of switched surnames with multiple marriages. The offspring involved used one surname or another depending on the whim of the individual and/or the priest keeping the church records.

Sincerely,
Joan Lapinski

Have Smolski ancestors from around Suwalki region, NE Poland, and am also finding Brandstetter (with various spellings) in records... I guess we are all related far enough back, and I hope some time to be able to view your videos!
Bron, London, U.K.

You have to be prepared for the answers or questions the DNA results may give you. Megan's warning is right. DNA can indicate illegitimacy, infidelity and silent adoptions or simply that some of your ancestors adopted new surnames.
My DNA Y chromosome results weren't what I expected, but within bounds for my ethnic origin and nationality, just for me, less acceptable ones. I have also found a person in the USA with a similar surname to my father's but Italianated who has STR results similar to mine, one mutation difference in 24 markers. That was rather spooky. But so far in most databases there are no exact or near matches.