Dr. Phil Gets Real with MyHeritage

Dr. Phil uses the power of television to tell compelling and emotional stories.
Just a few weeks ago, Dr. Phil took a MyHeritage DNA test to learn more about his ancestral roots and discover his ethnic makeup. Starting with a small family tree, MyHeritage’s matching technologies got to work. We were able to unearth some incredible historical records and stories about his ancestors. Friend of MyHeritage, Yvette Corporon, recently revealed his MyHeritage DNA results to him live on air.

Watch the MyHeritage DNA reveal:

Phillip McGraw was born in Vinita, Oklahoma, to Joseph J. McGraw, Jr. and Anne Geraldine “Jerry” (née Stevens). Phil grew up with two older sisters and one younger sister. The family moved to the oilfields of North Texas where his father was an equipment supplier. Later, the family found themselves moving often so that his father could pursue his lifelong goal of becoming a psychologist.

Ethnic origins
Dr. Phil discovered that he has overwhelmingly Irish, Scottish, and Welsh origins, amounting to 64.3% of his total ethnicity. His other ethnicities were English and Iberian.

DNA Matches
Dr. Phil was matched with 20,000 MyHeritage users from 64 different countries. Most are from the U.S., but some originate from Europe, and more interestingly, some hail from Central and South America, and even Asia.

Historical records
Dr. Phil’s Irish origins can be seen in the 1900 U.S. Census record for his great-grandfather, John McGraw. John was born in Ireland in 1847. His parents, Dr. Phil’s great-great-grandparents, were also born in Ireland. The family immigrated to the United States in 1878.

1900 United States Federal Census — John McGraw (Click to zoom)

In a record from the 1910 U.S. Census, Joseph Philips McGraw, Dr. Phil’s grandfather, is listed as a wagon driver in a feed store.

1910 United States Federal Census — Joe P McGraw

At the age of 33, Joseph was drafted to serve in World War I. His draft registration card, shown below, contains some fascinating details about his life, including his place of employment, and his nearest relative, his wife Susan. Furthermore, the card describes his physical appearance — he was of medium height and stout built, with grey eyes and brown hair.

Yvette handed Dr. Phil the framed WWI draft registration card as a keepsake of his family’s service to their country. Dr. Phil was emotional to receive this special piece of his heritage.

Joseph McGraw’s WWI draft registration card:

United States World War I Draft Registrations, 1917–1918 — Joe Phillip McGraw

We even found that Dr. Phil is 11^th cousins three times removed with the recently deceased George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States.

Dr. Phil was amazed by his ethnicity breakdown and by the priceless discoveries he made about his family. Learning about his roots has left him inspired and connected to his ancestors in ways he never imagined.

Have you made any surprising family history discoveries of your own? Let us know in the comments below!