Bill Griffeth

In The Stranger in My Genes, journalist Bill Griffeth wrote of his discovery through DNA testing that the man who raised him was not his biological father. Strangers No More continues Griffeth’s journey of discovery as he learns more about his biological family. He also shares stories from his DNA Club, comprised of individuals who reached out to him after experiencing their own DNA surprises.

I recognized one of the stories he shared from his DNA Club. He described a group email he received from someone in Europe who was helping his brother search for his American biological father. The email went to several of the brother’s closest matches. Along with Griffeth, I was one of the recipients of this email. Griffeth shared in the book that wasn't sure how he was related to this person, but guessed it was on the European mother's side. I think I am probably distantly related to the American father, but I don't know how. As far as I know, I am not related to Griffeth, and he is not one of my DNA matches. We just have one probably distant cousin in common.… (meer)

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.… (meer)

William Griffeth was contacted by his cousin and asked to share some genealogical data on his father's side of the family. He shared his information and months later he received a family tree on his father's side. He found out that three families from England were puritans; one family emigrated to New England three years after the Mayflower; an ancestor was hanged for being a witch at the time of the Salem witch trials; he was related to a Methodist circuit rider and prairie farmers. He had to find out more information and it became a quest, traveling to England and the Netherlands, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and Kansas. The result is By faith alone, a history which included many Christian denominations: Anglicans, Congregationalists, the Dutch Reformed faith, Presbyterians, Methodists and a smattering of others.

He begins in Kent, England and travels to Rotterdam and Leiden in the Netherlands. He relives the founding of a New World and the witch trials; quotes from the diary of his many times removed uncle who rode the circuit in the east and founded several churches; and much more. The book is rich with the detail of everyday life and historical events.

The books contains maps, a genealogical table based on his cousin's work and expanded, and photos that the author took on his travels. However the photos are not identified but one needs to consult a separate list to verify the subject, although many are self explanatory. He does not footnote the text, but has end notes that contain sources he considered important to the text. There is a bibliography, but be aware that some sources cited in the notes are not in the bibliography. There is also an excellent index.

We all have stories about where our ancestors originated. Mine differs greatly, being mostly German and English in the area of eastern Pennsylvania with Lutheran, Reformed and Anglican roots. But the end result is the same - a new world and a melting pot that became America.… (meer)

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 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.… (meer)