About Genetic Voyage
At Genetic Voyage genealogy, we’re passionate about helping you uncover your family’s story. Our mission is to provide the best DNA testing tools and genealogy resources for all levels.
About Me – The DNA Detective Unlocking Family Mysteries
My name is Peter, and I’ve spent 30 years solving the greatest mystery of all: Who am I—and where do I really come from?
My obsession began with two gaping holes in my family tree:
- My Swedish grandfather’s unknown father (born in 1910, left at a poorhouse in Östergötland).
- My Finnish grandmother’s missing father (lost during Finland’s 1918 Civil War).
Suddenly, 25% of my ancestry was a blank slate.
From Dead Ends to DNA Breakthroughs
For years, traditional research led nowhere—until genetic genealogy changed everything. Here’s how I cracked my own cold cases:
The British Soldier Theory
My grandfather’s foster family swore his biological father was their patriarch. But DNA revealed a shock:
- My Y-DNA traces to Britain/France(closest matches: a man from Kerry, Ireland, and another from Tuddenham, England).
- BigY test linked me to Huguenot descendants in the U.S., suggesting a 1600s mercenary or immigrant.
- Lesson learned: Ethnicity estimates vary wildly (I’m 49% Finnish, 25% Scandinavian, 14% Irish, 12% Slavic across tests).
The Finnish Grandmother’s Secret
My grandmother’s father "Calle" vanished in Finland’s bloody civil war. Through:
- Ellis Island records (tracking her sister to New York).
- DNA matches with a Polish-Italian-American cousin (a retired firefighter named Jim).
- Dead ends: Poor Finnish church records and low DNA matches stalled progress—for now.
Surprises Along the Way
- My wife’s 16% Finnish DNA led me to Dalarna’s svedjefinnar (forest Finns)—and her ancestor, a famous fiddler(Pekkos Per or perhaps Päckos Pär??) whose tunes are on Spotify.
- My son’s violin talent—coincidence, or genetic memory?
Why I Created This Site
After:
- Testing every major DNA company.
- Using GEDmatch, DNA Painter, and cluster tools.
- Topping my entire family (parents, wife, in-laws—even my sister’s cat, probably).
...I realized most guides miss the realchallenges: Why your ethnicity results don’t match paperwork. How to solve "father unknown" brick walls. Which tests actually work(and which are hype).
Here, I share: Unbiased DNA kit reviews (I’ve made every mistake, so you don’t have to). Step-by-step guides to genetic genealogy. Tools to trace Nordic-American emigrants.
Join me—and let’s find your missing pieces.
PS: Have a family story? [Email me geneticvoyage@hotmail.com]—I love a good story and also with your permission be published at the blog