Those of you who read this blog, know I am always talking some particular thing that makes my DNA "tingle". Several of my readers have mentioned the concept of "Deep DNA". I've read a bit about the notion and am totally fascinated. Deep DNA is the theory that not only does our DNA helix determine our physical characteristics, IQ, aptitudes, and emotional traits, but possibly some of our ancestor's memories, as well.
I'm always telling WT I was some kind of metal smith in a former life. I am drawn to metal objects like a bee to honey. What if these certain DNA tinglings, as I like to call them, these feelings of reincarnation come from an ancestor in my line who was a blacksmith? After all, thousands of lives come together to make up my own unique DNA.
One day, several years ago, when I was heavily into my ancestral research, I was completely enamored with a certain great-great grandmother, Mary Hopkins Hanna. I spent much of an afternoon, logging her data into my family file, and seriously pondering her life, her emotions on losing a father in the Civil War, as well as a son to tuberculosis. That evening, as I was making dinner, I found myself humming a slightly familiar, but unusual tune. Several days later, I had to identify this stubborn earworm. After quite a bit of poking around online, I found it was Listen to the Mocking Bird, 1855, an American folk song popular during the Civil War. The song is a mournful tale, the singer dreams of his sweetheart, who is dead and buried. It's said to be one of Lincoln's favorites. Perhaps it was one of Mary's, as well.
Listen to the voices of your DNA. Our forebear's lives, their joys and fears are living in us. And they happen to make this particular girl tingle.
Click HERE to go to the Lincoln Library for a listen to the song, as well as the lyrics of Listen to the Mockingbird.
This is so fascinating! It would make sense that our ancestors DNA would lead us in a certain direction. We can inherit their physical genes for a certain disease that runs in the family.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool about the old song being with you while you were working on Mary's geneology. From one Mary Hanna to another, that's a good song : )
I totally get this. Junk DNA? We are so arrogant sometimes. When as a pre-teen I first learned of ancient Egypt's incredible culture I was instantly absorbed. It has remained a part of me. I think, now, that I was a sculptor then and what I do now is an echo of who I was then.
ReplyDeleteI love that you were humming that...she would have smiled
ReplyDeleteher loved ones still remembered
This is an enthralling post and concept. I am brimming with ideas and thoughts right now. It would explain so much; those inexplicable things which draw me in over and over again. I know that tingle well. I believe with all my soul that our dna contains thousands of unknown stories. We do, as Walt Whitman said, 'contain multitudes' ... literally.
ReplyDeleteOh I love this post! I have DNA tingles too, but have never taken the time to truly ponder them, let alone research my family, as you have done. You've done a great job discovering your ancestors!
ReplyDeleteDNA helps as a last resort to prove something. Thanks
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Thanks for the post.
ReplyDeletewww.teaorchai.blogspot.com
Nice blog
ReplyDeletesweet sweet song...
ReplyDeleteand tinglyness i share.
love that profile pic of beautiful you you you
If only...hmmm....now ya got me to wondering...!!
ReplyDeleteI like to think this is true. I think it's why I surround myself with the ephemera that family also surrounded themselves with over the years. It makes me feel their presence, still with me, somehow. I'm not much of a believer in a hereafter, honestly, but I do believe we live on in others' lives, and that's why it's so important to live a good life while we are here! "This is not a dress rehearsal" is my mantra.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. You are speaking my language here - the intersection of what what mystics have been saying forever and what scientists are just now figuring out.
ReplyDelete...this makes me think of Jung's theory of the collective unconscious...linking us with ALL of those in the past...
ReplyDeleteI have many Hopkins ancestors...and have always been told they were the first pub owners in the US:)...that would explain a lot of my families DNA:)
This is intriguing. Ancestral DNA would somewhat explain the irrational affinity for people and cultures that I've experienced. Hell, if my muscles can have what biomechanics call "muscle memory," why shouldn't my DNA have "DNA memory"?
ReplyDeleteYes yes, this so explains so much.
ReplyDeletethat eerie feeling like I have been here before; I know this place; I have seen this before, I know this tune, I have done this task before...
it makes sense that more of us is passed down information than just our affinity to get certain illnesses and the shape of our noses...
thanks, Joan T
Yes, I do believe there is something to this theory. I've experienced those sort of tingles myself. Great post, Willow.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting idea. I think it could be. Gonna have to ponder this a bit more. It would explain a lot.
ReplyDeleteI believe I was one of those readers. So glad you've been researching it in a little more depth. Excellent post....thought provoking, but whose thoughts, exactly? Maybe those of a distant ancestor?
ReplyDeleteYou may be onto something, Willow. It is certainly an intriguing idea.
ReplyDeleteI never realized Listen To The Mockingbird was that old. I'm very surprised.
what an interesting, thought provoking concept-- never heard this before-- and I copied that blueberry cornbread recipe
ReplyDeleteI firmly believe our ancestors, guides, and angels are always communicating with us. Very subtly. It's up to us to quiet our minds, and maybe use this Deep DNA ! to tune in. Who knows?
ReplyDeletethis really is fascinating...esp abt the song...
ReplyDeleteI don't believe in "junk" DNA. It's only because they haven't figured it out yet. Everything is there for a reason. You've got my head spinning this morning. Tomorrow we are leaving on a trip to visit the area where my father grew up and his family comes from. I'm going to approach it a bit differently now. I'm going to listen with my DNA. I just LOVED this post.
ReplyDeleteDNA tingles ... now I realize there is a reason I love getting lost in thoughts regarding my own family history. Asking questions, doing research .... all quite rewarding.
ReplyDeleteWillow,
ReplyDeleteThat theory "deep DNA" reminded me of Jean Auel's "Earth's Children Series." I've read the first 4 and have the fifth to read yet. That concepts of passing previous ancestor's memories is explored there, especially in relation to the medicine practitioners.
Junk DNA means: there is a function, we just aren't privy to it yet.
I wrote a piece about my previous lives awhile back. You can readit here, ( http://pciyrtpy.blogspot.com/search/label/%2355%20Secret%20Identity ) if you've amind to.
rel
Such an intriguing thought! Whitman's 'I contain multitudes...' comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteSuch an intriguing thought! Whitman's 'I contain multitudes...' comes to mind.
ReplyDeleteYes, I have been totally fascinated with Abe Lincoln, all things Abe! The song was so eerie and reminded me of the odd mourning rituals (like saving dead peoople's hair and making it into a braided petit-point and hanging it in the livingroom; that kind of odd)and dour nature of the Victorians. Lincoln was a marfan as well so if he didnt get murdered he may have died of this disease. Why would a mourning song behis favourite? He must have been into the mourning mode. Sort of goth Lincoln. Willow you should get into past life regression. You may find that blacksmith in you yet! I hear Dr. Brian L. Weiss does this. One day all these mysteries will be revealed. Love the song! Thanks Willow!
ReplyDeleteVERY, very intriguing Willow!
ReplyDeleteI am off for a listen to that song.
Amazing...and I think we do have evidence all around us! My older son, who was only 18 months old when my father died, has some of his very specific mannerisms, little laughs, and "ahems" which he could never have observed. Oh yes, and the whole car guy mystique was inherited! I cannot believe how like my father he is! I loved reading this! You keep on tingling, Darling!
ReplyDeleteThis is a brilliant post! I've heard of junk DNA before, but I've never heard of this theory. It sounds so magical and mysterious, to think that we have little pockets of the past quietly bubbling away in our genes and that sometimes, they burst to the surface, unveiling their secrets. It's almost an unbreakable, literal link to our past, to our ancestors. So interesting, thank you so much for introducing me to this idea.
ReplyDeleteThe mystery of the human body and its workings is vast and I believe we've only just begun to probe its depths.
ReplyDeleteOh, goodness yes! When I was a little girl, I used to lie in my bed and "remember" walking through the halls of a huge stone castle, looking at beautiful hunting tapestries on the walls. Of course, we had no huge castles or hunting tapestries on Vancouver Island, but I clearly remembered them, in great detail. And there were wall scones on the walls of the castle, with glowing candles in them.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago there was an exhibit of hunting tapestries at the Vancouver Art Gallery. I went to see them, and they were exactly as I had remembered them. It was an eerie feeling.
I later read that hunting tapestries were used on the walls of stone castles in order to insulate the walls and keep the cold drafts out.
My only explanation for my "memory" is that one of my ancestors had experienced this, and I was "remembering" it through my DNA.
I believe in this. My family is from South America, like in the deep deep little dusty towns of, and I swear I feel like I should be walking a desolate dusty trail sometimes...
ReplyDeleteJo, that is a fascinating experience. Just reading it made me tingle! I totally agree that you were remembering through your DNA. wow.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love genealogical ties.
ReplyDeleteThe more my mother ferrets through our own family history, the more mystery, intrigue, curiosity it arouses.
Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteLife regression. Past lives. To Heaven and Back. How about choosing when you want to be born, and selecting your parents, and remembering what an Old Soul is.
Been there.
Done that.
I bet you knew, Willow.
willow - my dad told me so many times about what he called "genetic memory" and i rarely saw through his cerebralization of yet another thing to really appreciate that he was pointing out exactly how i have become who and what i am on the backs in the hearts and through the souls of my ancestors. i have skills, knowledge, insights that have everything to do with the people who brought me here. a beautiful powerful post willow. steven
ReplyDeleteYes, I believe there is a lot to this deep DNA. Not only with family members but, many gurus also put forth that all of your past lives and our original, perfect matirix is held in the DNA.
ReplyDeleteMaking your mushrooms and poached egg recipe for dinner tonight. Mmmm...can't wait:-)
This is so interesting. You are so much more in tune to this part of our psyche than me. I need to try harder! ha.
ReplyDeleteTo me this is similar to Jung's collective unconscious. There of course one carried vibrations from ancestors, not necessarily specific to one's bloodline (as I understand it) but archetypes. I have always felt this and too that my personal ancestor's vibration were humming along inside me too.
ReplyDelete"on the backs in the hearts and through the souls of my ancestors"
ReplyDeleteSteven, I love that.
There's got to be something about shovels and digging in rich top soil or peat for me....
ReplyDeleteinteresting!
ReplyDeleteRather intriguing!!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting concept. I like it. I like the idea of our memororeis being shareable, of never dying...
ReplyDeleteoh I so testify for a belief in genetic memory! and have kept that belief for so many years.Here is my own little proof - I had been a slavophile [obsessed with eastern europe] since I was at least 12 I use to go to the library and take out every russian/hungarian music tape,book etc they had as a teenager.What a horrible time I had trying to explain to people why I collected hungarian costumes,russian music etc etc.I had NO known slavic ancestry at all.
ReplyDeleteI pestered my mum for years did she maybe have some eastern euro friends when I was growing up that made me this way or some such but she said no.
I got a dnatribes test in 2008 just look at the results,i think I was tapping into something profound.
DNA Tribes Analysis Results - Native and Global Match Strong/Strongest and Respective MLIs were: Serbia (96)789.34,Lodz Poland (92)491.46,Bucharest Romania(93) 378.98,Bosnia(92)324.59,Slovenia (91)315,275.45,Poladsie,Northeast Poland(87)270.8 the rest all in the 250's are (92)Hungary,South East Poland,Belarus.
DNA Tribes Analysis Results - World Region Match Strong/Strongest and Respective MLIs were
192.72 Eastern European,136.6 Northwestern European,85.69 Mediterranean
Hello Willow,
ReplyDeleteI'm sure there's room in our DNA profiles for a million and one facets of who we are. No reason why this shouldn't be a part. It is a fascinating subject.
Yes, I can hear it now, "he aint' heavy, he's my DNA!" Hee. how wild. Never ever thought of this before. Could be.
ReplyDeleteu make me think Willow....
ReplyDeleteu really make me think...
Interesting thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI know of a place, an ancient city, that felt immediately "home" when I first set foot there. Who knows!
Will we find chip fat in our DNA Willow?
ReplyDeleteMy great-great grandmother was quite a character: she was an immigrant from Prussia, an artist, a lover of beauty. She once painted morning glories on the door of my great great grandpa's Model T (without his permission! But can't you just imagine how beautiful they would look against the flat black . . .) I learned this after I had done a similar thing to my own car. She was born almost exactly 100 years before me, but I feel her so close sometimes. I look at her picture, and she encourages me and gives me a sense of belonging. I wonder if this could be "deep DNA?" Thanks so much for this post.
ReplyDeleteKatie, you are my poster child. This is exactly what I am talking about. Your story is simply amazing!!
ReplyDeleteToday's junk is tomorrow's wonder!
ReplyDeleteI myself can't enter a Gothic church without "tingling".
The voice from great great Gran Mary may be not hers, but your very own..reincarnation does stay in the family!!
Fascinating...like the planet Pandora, the indigenous were able to hook into the past lives of ancestors through the tree of life, where all things connect in Nature...I want to live there...
ReplyDeleteThat gave me goosebumps -reading about you humming the song that perhaps Mary HH might have sung, quite without you even realising you were doing so,
ReplyDeleteDidn't your ancestors have wonderful names.
Absolutely fascinating willow - there is much more in heaven and earth than we ever dreamed of.
ReplyDeleteFascinating read Willow - there is so much we have yet to learn about consciousness and the 'soul'. I'm certainly all of a tingle after reading this!
ReplyDeleteWillow, I believe there has to be something to this theory as it explains so much about having deep roots to lands or places that some of us have never known...They literally call to you...
ReplyDeleteWonderful post...How amazing about the song!
Interesting concept. Since we inherit their traits and their gifts (art, music, etc.) it would seem altogether plausible that we might inherit their memories as well. This might also account for some of the deja vu experiences we have. I, for one, know that I inherited my artistic talents from past generations. I also believe you, Willow, probably inherited your photographic talents from your ancestor who took those magnificent photos you share with us from time to time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this brain teaser!
CHK, oh, absolutely, without a doubt, I have inherited my love of photography from all my paternal grandfathers. They would be amazed at the technology available to me today!
ReplyDeletefascinating post :)
ReplyDeleteThis is something to ponder and I think you are on to something.
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ReplyDeleteWhat if indeed??
ReplyDeleteWhat a very interesting read Willow! I think along a similar plane. I am always saying to closer members of my family that I feel too old of mind for these times, like I am a bit 'old world' ... everything is too fast, too racy!!
I find that I am drawn to things of old. I love that behind every old thing there lies a story! Maybe just maybe there also lies a story in my DNA.
I live in suburbia but every-time I visit mountainous country I experience a warm, peaceful feeling of belonging. It just feels like I have come back home & there is a burning desire to stay!
I have, in my dreams, for many years visited the same house many a time. It is quaint, surrounded by cottage gardens & there is a feeling that it is mine, that it belongs to me. I see myself walking through the gardens, sitting by a tree & painting!
I have never painted before but the desire is there...but the desire is most strong when I am in the country!
I think there is definitely something in what you write Willow! Now you've got me thinking!
Willow this is fascinating. Would make a lot of sense why some places look familiar when encountering them for the first time.
ReplyDeleteThis is indeed a fascinating read and has me wondering if I now, maybe have or could have answers to some things I could not quite put my finger on.
ReplyDeletePuts a little science into the past-lives theory. I think that is why I am so drawn to certain things. Whether it is a past-life or genes, I am fascinated with the Depression-era and with the Gulog. I think that is why my best photos are my Third World photos.
ReplyDelete