A Florida mom who decided to explore her adoptive daughter’s heritage was stunned when the results revealed an unexpected connection between them. Tara Johnson tested her 7-year-old daughter Agnas’ DNA in the hope of learning more about the cultures and places that form part of her background. Having grown up celebrating her own Sicilian roots, Tara told Newsweek that understanding her heritage had always given her a strong sense of identity and belonging, something she wants all her children to experience.
"When Agnas became part of our family, she brought with her an entire history and heritage that existed long before us," she said. "As her mom, I think it’s important to celebrate that, not just the parts of her story that began when she joined our family." Johnson, who is also mother to Hallie, 13, Theo, 9, and Rowan, 6, with partner Troy, had some idea of what the test might reveal. Agnas’ biological mother had told Tara that her grandfather was Lebanese, while comparatively little was known about her biological father’s background.
But when the results arrived, there was a surprise. According to the test results Tara shared in a clip on TikTok (@tarakole), Agnas was estimated to be 24.6 percent Scottish and Welsh, 23.6 percent Southern Italian, 19.3 percent English and 5.8 percent Dutch. The Southern Italian result was thrilling to Tara.
"Growing up, being Sicilian was something I took so much pride in," she said. "It’s a part of my identity that I’ve always celebrated, so discovering Southern Italian ancestry in Agnas’ results was such a fun and unexpected surprise." "Obviously, Agnas and I don’t share biology, and we don’t need to in order to share a mother-daughter bond," Tara continued. "But there was something really special about discovering that we might share a little piece of ancestral history." The results also raised questions, however, because they did not show the Lebanese ancestry the family had expected.
Tara now plans to use another DNA testing company and explore services that may offer more detailed and accurate regional ancestry estimates. She acknowledged that such tests provide estimates rather than definitive answers about a person’s identity or family history. For Tara, learning about Agnas’ background is also part of a wider commitment to ensuring her daughter remains connected to every part of her story.
The family maintains an open relationship with several members of Agnas’ biological family, including her biological mother, brother, aunt and cousins. Tara said they want Agnas to grow up knowing she does not have to choose between the people who love her. The experience has also reinforced Tara’s belief that ancestry and family, while intertwined, are not the same thing.
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