Sicilian DNA?

[DZambrotta]

Salutamu!

So I have done two dna reports, one from ancestry and one from 23 and me and unsurprisingly, they are both extremely different. However, the most interesting is the breakdown on ancestry which I find to show what appears to be everyone who ever invaded Sicily. But, I wanted to get a second opinion….

So as a Zambrotta, my family tree and lineage starts with Sicily and eventually finds its way to Salerno, specifically Sanza, where most Zambrotta surname still are. I was born in the states, and my family is very challenging to work out and find information past 1910.

My DNA shows 65% Italian, which is specific to Sicily, Catania, and Palermo, then it shows Salerno Sanza, here is where it gets weird, we then go to 10-12% Eastern Europe/Russia, then 9% Levant, then 8% Germanic Europe, then 4% Baltics, then 2% Cyprus, then 2% Sweden/Denmark, then 2% Northern Italy, then 1% Egypt, then 1% Aegean Islands then 1% Spain

What do you think would cause this intense variance in DNA? My 23 and me replaces the 12 percent Eastern European with 30% Sephardic Jew with a focus on Sicily and southern Italy….is this typical Sicilian DNA? In that Sicilians would favor DNA specific to the peoples who conquered the island so many times?

[darkerhorse]

Is the 65% Italian broken into individual percentages for Sicily, Catania, and Palermo?

I wouldn't be surprised if it's typical Sicilian DNA, for as you say Sicily has been "conquered" by so many different ethnic groups over time.

Sicilians appear to be mutts. No intense offended.

[darkerhorse]

As far as Jewish ancestry, I've seen that in DNA reports for Sicilian Americans I know. In my ancestral hometown in Sicily, they claim Jewish immigrants tended to Italianize Jewish surnames like Zimmitti for Zimmer. So you could look for that in your family tree.

[DZambrotta]

Is the 65% Italian broken into individual percentages for Sicily, Catania, and Palermo?

I wouldn't be surprised if it's typical Sicilian DNA, for as you say Sicily has been "conquered" by so many different ethnic groups over time.

Sicilians appear to be mutts. No intense offended.

No offense taken

The notable Italian DNA is specific to Sicily, and also the specific city where my family now resides which is in Sanza Italy, inside the Salerno province.
it doesn’t give a specific breakdown percentage for this particular dna site, I take it with a grain of salt, because after all, these things change every three months.

[DZambrotta]

As far as Jewish ancestry, I've seen that in DNA reports for Sicilian Americans I know. In my ancestral hometown in Sicily, they claim Jewish immigrants tended to Italianize Jewish surnames like Zimmitti for Zimmer. So you could look for that in your family tree.

I have not heard this but it’s interesting to hear. I would not doubt that considering the Jewish diaspora. As far as my family tree, I can’t find anything that moves away from clearly Italian surnames, but my tree is shallow as far as being able to find anything past 1912 when family came to America.