Lowell Heritage Project: Amanda’s DNA Prediction

This past summer sent much of the nation, including our community, on a roller coaster of emotions as people grappled with which parts of our shared heritage to embrace and which to leave to the history books. All that discussion led us here at Lowell’s First Look to wonder how different — or alike — we really are.

To find out, each of our three co-founders purchased two DNA kits to map our individual heritage. We’re curious what identity we share and what makes us unique. This idea of a Lowell Heritage Project is meant to take a personal look at what can sometimes seem like an impersonal issue. We hope it will open the door to finding common ground and, when there is no common ground, appreciating what makes us all unique.

If you have done DNA testing yourself and would like to share the results, please send us an email at [email protected]. We’d love to be able to see how much of the world the residents of Lowell cover when it comes to their heritage. For those interested, we’ll compile the data so everything will be anonymous, and no names will be used. Oh, and one last thing. Any Amazon links in this article are affiliate links which means we get a small commission if you make a purchase. There is no additional cost to you, and it’s an easy way to support our work here at Lowell’s First Look.

Now, up first is Amanda’s story…

I enjoy writing.  Telling stories even.  But it’s not often I’m writing about myself.  I have a blog which is in need of dusting off as it has been a year since my last entry.  However, what entries have been written are tales from life with a husband, dog, and two kids, not necessarily about me.  So, as I sit in front of my laptop to write about me, I’m in unfamiliar terrain.  

It’s Not About Me, But This Time It Is
I’d characterize myself as more of an introvert than an extrovert.  I don’t mind conversation but don’t typically seek it out.  My witty, sarcastic humor can sometimes be misunderstood by those who do not know me well.  Yet in the past year I’ve taken peeks out from this self defined persona.  Through PTO and Lowell’s First Look I’ve had to take on a more socially minded role.  Yet I haven’t had practice writing about myself other than on and off again journaling since I was in elementary school.  Certainly nothing for public consumption.  

I’m about to maneuver through a personal narrative in which I myself am unsure of aspects of the plot.  What is my prediction for DNA tests I have submitted to Ancestry and Family Tree?  Most are able to say with some confidence what their genetic story will tell.  Or at least have some clues.  With DNA testing, some do find surprises.  For me, genetic history is a mystery.  

Operation Babylift
You see, I came to the US when I was three months of age.  I was born in Vietnam in 1975 as the fall of Saigon neared.  I was part of Operation Babylift on a flight similar to this one with babies atop seats without any form of safety restraint because we were too numerous and small.  I was one of 376 on a flight to Seattle and eventually New York City where my parents would meet me for the first time before taking me home to Philadelphia.  There’s even a photo from a newspaper of the captain’s wife carrying me off the plane. At three months of age I took my first flight and haven’t traveled over an ocean since.  Some say a stork brought them.  I can say a big airplane brought me.

Which came first, my photo or me?  My parents knew I was coming but they did not know when.  A photo of me, also known as #512, was on the way.  But my parents received a call telling them I’d be arriving in New York within days.  After scrambling to get things in order to welcome an infant into their home, they picked me up on April 6, 1975.  

My Genetic Past
I know very little about my past prior to coming to the US.  Adoption paperwork indicates I was abandoned, found, and brought to Holt International’s location in DaNang.  I don’t know the circumstances for which I was given up.  I do not know if my biological father might have been a member of the US military.  

When it comes to nature versus nurture I can say certain personality traits I’ve likely picked up from my parents.  That sarcasm I wrote of earlier?  Thank my dad.  Enjoyment of reading, writing, and helping others comes from my mom.  You don’t have to have genetic ties to be part of a family.  

Once while eating in Chinatown in Center City Philadelphia my aunt responded to the stares of someone in the restaurant, because apparently the person wondered how an Asian kid could be hanging out with so many Caucasian people, by saying, “What?  She came with the meal!”

Someday I’d love to find the time and money to go back to Vietnam.  I’ve wondered about the first three months of my life but having nearly 43 years added onto that there are other things to contemplate.  But still curious, I decided to take a DNA test.  

Maybe I should say my husband helped me decide to take one.  For my Gotcha Day, the day my parents traveled to New York to get me as well as a second birthday, my husband gave me money to order a DNA kit.  Still, it took almost six months and the thought of being part of a Lowell’s First Look genetic series for me to order a test, and I’m not one to procrastinate.  

My Prediction
Most people are able to say they’re “mostly German”, “have some French” in them, or some other description of a genetic past.  Those same people can take a DNA test and prove they’re right or be surprised with the results.  I didn’t grow up with a genetic family telling me of my genetic past.  

My main wonder is how Asian am I.  And I’d say I’m at least 75% Asian.  That remaining 25% pertains to my paternal background.  This isn’t much of a prediction, however I don’t have much to work with.  I will follow-up with a reveal article with my results from Ancestry and Family Tree.  The reveal article can be viewed here.  

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