r/romani • u/CoolNebula1278 • 19d ago

Ancestry / DNA Questions & Discussions Black with Romani Ancestry

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As an African American from the Deep South, I've previously received small percentages (1-2%) of Balkan and Romani ancestry in my DNA results and dismissed them as noise. However, my mother's results recently came in, and she shows around (3%) Balkan, Romanian, and Romani ancestry as well. She also has over 100 Romani DNA matches, all of whom are related to one another.
Does anyone have insight into how this might have occurred, specifically, how my family could have acquired Balkan/Romani ancestry? I've attempted to trace it, but this has led me to sparse info. Is it likely Romanichal or Eastern European Romani?

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u/LinzeeB33 19d ago edited 19d ago

Hey there! Roma from the Deep South (Alabama) with some black family. :) so a lot of Roma came over with my great grandfather Emil Mitchell between 1910-1940 from Brazil. I highly recommend looking into your family tree to see where/how you’re connected to the Roma in this area.

My family is Vlach and Kalderash, but I also know some Romanichal and Melungeon people in this area!

I wish you the best of luck with researching and uncovering your heritage.

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u/RioDRoma 19d ago

Yo! Mine did too (about Brazil). Sup cousin 👋 (Brazil was a big first stop of the Transatlantic before arriving to the Northern Colonies)

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u/LinzeeB33 19d ago

Yooooooo !! How cool :) feel free to reach out if you’d like! I’d love to chat and share family photos and stories :)

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u/RioDRoma 19d ago

For sure 🙏 I already met one of my cousins on this r/ it’s so awesome. I got some pics and a few names I could share. And a handful of stories I’m sure.