Global Survey: We Are More Than Just Americans – DNA Sheds Light on Our Mixed Ancestry

We don’t know from where in the world we originate. That’s the
message from a global survey, which shows 6 out of 10 Americans think
the maximum they can trace their ancestry back to is three countries. In
reality, we are much more diverse, and a DNA project now reveals exactly
how much. Travel search site momondo.com
reveals more.

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Where are you from? It’s a simple question most of us answer without
hesitation. A global survey conducted among 7,200 people in 18
countries, including 400 Americans, now shows that 6 out of 10 Americans
think the most you can trace their ancestry back to is three countries.
But if you think you’re from just three countries, you’re likely
mistaken.

DNA analysis: We are more diverse than most people think
According
to Brad Argent, spokesperson at AncestryDNA, the world’s largest
provider of personal DNA testing, our origin and inner geographical map
is far more complex.

“The findings from the survey confirms our experience with people who
want to understand their DNA genealogy profile. Most people are very
surprised when they find out that their geographical background is more
diverse than expected. We, on average, have genetic roots in four global
regions, which far exceeds the notion of three countries.”

At momondo, they are pleased that DNA insights can lend context to the
global survey:

“With the survey we wanted to find out whether people knew of their
ancestry. We hypothesized people may have underestimated their ancestral
diversity. And it all indicates that we are more connected to the rest
of the world than we realize – it is our aim to focus on that,” says
Lasse Skole Hansen from momondo and elaborates:

“We have therefore initiated a project with AncestryDNA to give people
from all over the world the opportunity to take a DNA test and thus find
out where they actually come from,” concludes Hansen.

DNA Journey: Visit the countries you originate from
As part
of the initiative, momondo in April 2016 invited 67 ordinary people from
all over the world to take part in a project, which was documented on
film. People were offered to take a DNA test to find out more about
their ancestry. And they told about their hopes of what the test would
reveal. Some weeks later they were invited back, and their results were
revealed.

“The project confirmed that many of us do not know our full ancestry.
And it also showed that knowing how diverse we in fact are can be an
eye-opener and even change our view of who we are and who people from
other nations are,” says Hansen.

Now 500 people worldwide will get the opportunity to take a DNA test,
reveal their own DNA genetic origins and thus find out where they come
from. Among them, one winner will get the opportunity to take a DNA
journey and visit the regions from which they originate.

See the DNA Journey film here: https://youtu.be/tyaEQEmt5ls

Read more here: http://www.momondo.com/letsopenourworld/dna

About the survey
The survey is based on responses from 7,200
respondents, including 400 respondents from each of the 18 countries:
Australia, Brazil, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy,
Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey,
United Kingdom and USA.

Data collected through the research company Cint’s online population
panels in each country. Respondents are representative selected
according to sex, age and region.

About momondo
momondo.com is a free, independent and global
travel search site that compares billions of prices on flights, hotels
and travel deals. momondo has won several awards and is recommended by
leading international media organizations such as CNN, Frommer’s, The
New York Times and The Daily Telegraph. momondo is headquartered in
Copenhagen and serves travelers across 35 international markets.
momondo’s mobile applications are available for free for iPhone and
Android.

About Ancestry
Ancestry, the leader in family history and
consumer genomics, harnesses the information found in family trees,
historical records, and DNA to help people gain a new level of
understanding about their lives. Ancestry has more than 2.3 million
paying subscribers across its core Ancestry websites and more than 1.5
million DNA tests have been completed. Since 1996, more than 17 billion
records have been added, and users have created more than 80 million
family trees on the Ancestry flagship site and its affiliated
international websites. Ancestry offers a suite of family history
products including Archives, Fold3, Newspapers.com and AncestryDNA sold
by its subsidiary, Ancestry.com DNA, LLC.

Contacts

SRPR
Brenda Patterson, 440-623-9581
brenda@shevrushpr.com