The Stranger in My Genes: A Memoir

Journalist Bill Griffeth took a Y-DNA test, discovering he did not match his cousin's haplotype or that many markers. They asked the lab to process the sample again, achieving the same result. Convinced the lab must have mixed up samples, he purchased a test from another company and had his brother test with the first company. His brother matched the cousin, but he did not. Griffeth's story was absorbing, and I'm amazed at how much he was able to control his own emotions and consider how his decisions would affect others. As genealogy educators, those of us who talk about DNA to other groups always advise prospective testers to be prepared for unexpected results. This book reinforces this in a manner everyone can appreciate. I'm doing a show more presentation in less than a week, and I'm going to make certain I encourage prospective DNA testers to read it. It's a quick and relatively short read. Highly recommended. show less

Genealogy is a serious hobby for CNBC news anchor Bill Griffeth. A number of years ago, he wrote By Faith Alone, which explores the history of his Griffeth forebears through the lens of their religious faith. A genealogical DNA test shook his sense of identity when it unexpectedly revealed that he was not, in fact, a Griffeth. This memoir chronicles Griffeth’s journey from denial through acceptance of the stranger who provided half of his DNA.

This book shares many similarities with Dani Shapiro’s outstanding memoir, Inheritance. Griffeth and Shapiro’s DNA surprises are not uncommon, and both of their memoirs might be helpful reading for others who’ve suddenly found themselves in the same boat.

Finished reading the new book by Bill Griffeth, "The Stranger in my Genes." As a genealogists, I have often been aware how new discoveries can change the way we think about ourselves and those that have come before us. I try hard to let the fact and evidence speak for themselves and not to let my 21st century attitudes and sensibilities cloud my judgements about my ancestors and their lives. With DNA as another tool for genealogical research, unsettling truths can be revealed as well. This book is an excellent short read for anyone interested in have their DNA tested for genealogical research. What was discovered was difficult for the author to deal with, but he did! Although it took sometime and it caused a momentary coolness in his show more relationship with his mother. My big take away from this...and with any genealogical discoveries is that you should expect the unexpected and be open to new narratives as they reveal themselves. Thanks Bill Griffeth for telling your story.

Other good reads concerning DNA research for genealogists includes: Edward Ball's The Genetic Strand. show less