Am I Really a Smith? How DNA Changed My Family Story
Have you ever wondered if the surname you carry really tells your family’s story? For many African Americans, surnames were acquired rather than inherited, which makes tracing paternal lineage especially challenging. That’s where DNA testing—specifically Y-DNA—becomes a powerful tool.
Y-DNAY-CHROMOSOMEPATERNAL LINEDRIVER FAMILYSMITH FAMILY
Wayne Karl Driver
8/29/20251 min read
👉 “What’s in a Name? Discovering the Truth Behind My Surname”
My Story:
I’ve been fortunate to trace my male ancestral line back to the 1700s through historical records. Because some of my relatives were free, they left a trail of documents—a rare gift for African American genealogy. Along the way, I even uncovered connections to the Revolutionary War (that’s a story for another blog!).
But the big surprise came when I decided to take a Y-DNA test. Unlike autosomal DNA, Y-DNA follows the direct paternal line—father to father to father. In theory, this test could take me back to the very origin of the Driver family line.
My assumption? That my UK roots came through my great-great-grandmother, Elizabeth Collier, whom family oral history claimed was of Irish descent.
The result? No Drivers. Every single match pointed to the Smith family in Tidewater, Virginia. Suddenly, my surname story took a sharp turn.
Lessons Learned:
📜 Paper vs. Blood – DNA and documents don’t always tell the same story. Both matter, but neither replaces the family that raised you.
🔍 Trust, but Verify – DNA matches are only as strong as the paper trail you build around them. I traced my matches’ trees and found overlaps that supported the Smith connection.
❌ Don’t Assume – Clues were in front of me all along (parish records mentioning Smiths), but I overlooked them while focusing only on Drivers.
📊 Data Matters – More records and more DNA testers = stronger results. Don’t be afraid to ask for another set of eyes when you hit a wall.
Closing Thought:
This journey reminded me that genealogy is full of twists and turns. Names may change, but the stories they carry are worth uncovering.
👉 Have you taken a Y-DNA or other DNA test? What did you discover—something expected or a complete surprise? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your story!
Note: I utilized AI tools to assist in polishing and organizing this blog. The discoveries, research, and family history are 100% my own.
