The Stranger in My Genes: A Memoir

Very interesting story. Author worked for years on his family history only to discover through DNA testing that his father was not his biological father. Lots of detective work to discover his biological family. Good read. Wonderful book for anyone interesting in genealogy, family history, DNA research or just a good mystery story.

Outstanding narrative on genealogy research. I found it interesting and insightful. In my own research, I discovered family secrets (mom actually eloped once without telling anyone) and found Bill exploration and self examination narrative compelling finishing the book in 2 days.

Griffeth's well written book takes you on a suspenseful journey. Even though we know someone on his male line cheated, he still makes it an interesting page-turner. I read it in two days. It also shows how DNA can help in genealogy as well as how it can upset one's life.

Griffeth's well written book takes you on a suspenseful journey. Even though we know someone on his male line cheated, he still makes it an interesting page-turner. I read it in two days. It also shows how DNA can help in genealogy as well as how it can upset one's life.

As a professional genealogist, I absolutely recommend this book for anyone interested in DNA testing and family history. It is an easy read, and Mr. Griffeth has done an excellent job of incorporating the internal struggles he faced when discovering the results of his test(s).

Earlier this summer I rekindled an old interest in genealogy after doing an ancestry.com DNA analysis at the request of our daughter (who was motivated by a $10 gift certificate if I bought in) AncestryDNA: Genetic Testing - DNA Test. My results were undramatic, although mildly disappointing in the absence of any Native American DNA, counter to family tradition. But my renewed interest in genealogy prompted a purchase of the Kindle edition of Bill Griffeth's book.

I was instantly captivated and mesmerized. Despite being a fairly slow reader, I couldn't put my Kindle down until I reached the end.

There are so many facets to family genealogy research … identifying roots, grasping the astonishing changes in society, culture, economics, etc. Identifying minor mysteries in our ancestry is commonplace (solving them a bit less so). But the unexpected DNA source of Bill's MAJOR mystery lifted his story to a stunning level of intrigue.

If you have an interest in family genealogy, this is a must read. If you don't, reading this book may tease you into a new life-long hobby.

Read it via kindle ebooks in one sitting! I read sections of it out loud to my husband, sometimes through my tears. I had to deal with many of the same emotions and questions but I had many more years to process it before Ancestry made genetic testing available. I was in my 20's, with a baby of my own, when I learned the truth about who's baby I was. I was 68 when I found a "high confidence" genetic match on my DNA page. I learned after my Mom's passing that the only Dad I had ever known was not my bio dad and he was the one who had to tell me. My two dads were both in the Navy but never met, one served on a submarine and one served on an aircraft carrier. My Dad had heard and remembered two things from so many years ago on the base; 1. It was only gossip at the time, but my bio dad was a chief petty officer 2. his name may have been Jensen or Benson I loved my Dad and didn't pursue anything more until 2003 long after his passing. I joined Ancestry and tried for years to learn more but there was nothing, nothing. For over 44 years I was unable to find anything at all other than my birth certificate that said I was illegitimate, "father unknown". Then over the course of a few weeks in January and February 2015, thanks to the DNA site on Ancestry.com I was face to face with my two bio brothers, at one of their weddings!! We have stayed in close contact, they have come to stay with us for 10 days and we will join them soon for another adventure. I have "fewer tomorrows than yesterdays", I was not going to miss out on knowing my bio dad through them and knowing them, we are family, they are my brothers and I am their sister! The older of my two brothers said that we are so much alike its like a Lifetime movie LOL! By the way, our kids and grandkids and my Brothers and families all enjoyed each other and my family is very happy for us. My life is much more peaceful knowing my genetic history includes these great young guys. Bill, take the risk, what have you got to loose, you have so much to gain! You will gain from the truth, the only change, your family will bigger!

It was an interesting journey to take with Bill to discover his genetic heritage. Very readable to even the non genetic genealogist, it's a story about the personal journey. Light on the DNA and genealogy methodology, the focus is on the heart more than the science. An enjoyable read!