I’m adopted I’m 71 year old lady dont know who I am I applied for my birth records so I know my name.
Dr. Phil Gets Real with MyHeritage
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by Esther ·
- December 10, 2018
- · DNA
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.
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.
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:
We even found that Dr. Phil is 11th 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!
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My father’s mother disappeared when he was 5, never to be seen again. All we had of her was her maiden name and that we believed she was from Texas born in 1894. I traced the only Fern Lois Powell I could find in Texas, and found a possible match. Her father being one C.R. Powell. Through DNA I was re-united with a grand daughter of one of her sisters. Our common grandfather being Charles Ransom Powell. We also discovered through DNA that my father’s oldest 2 brothers have a different mother than Fern Lois. We still do not know what happened to Fern (we are still looking) but at least we know where she came form and her remaining family in Texas know where she ended up, initially, in California after leaving the Texas family. We have made other interesting discoveries through DNA but this was the most exciting.
Christmas 2017 my children surprised me with MyHeritage as they knew I had been looking for my biological father, I had a name but nothing more. In the year that followed I started getting matches, long story short, I believe I have tracked down a half sister whom I have contacted and she agreed to do the sibling testing, we should have results soon!
Hi Jenita,
What an amazing discovery! We’d love to hear more at stories@myheritage.com.
Best,
Esther / MyHeritage Team
I had no idea I had a half brother from my father. He is 8 years younger than me and we grew up less than 3 miles apart. I also found out I was mostly Scandinavian. Having an Irish family name I was told my ancestors were from Ireland and Scotland, however, the DNA showed differently. I was amazed.
Hi Melissa,
What an amazing discovery! We’d love to hear more at stories@myheritage.com.
Best,
Esther / MyHeritage Team
My exciting discovery is that the man listed on my birth certificate is not my father. I don’t know who my father is.
I’m glad I did the test, but, am trying to figure out exactly who my father is. Since I’m in my 50’s I imagine he is deceased.With a name like McGraw Dr phill shouldn’t be surprised he has Irish blood , the country is full of mc graws , I did my own DNA but nothing strange came up I’m Part Irish and English .
Wow! Dr Phil sure has an interesting past. I also submitted my DNA to My Heritage not too long ago, and I was totally surprised by my results. I had no idea that I had 35% Scottish – Irish and Welsh in my background, although I have often wondered why my house was full of Queen Ann antiques, and why I am so attracted to writing Historical Romance Novels from the past, lol. Now I know. It’s in my Blood, lol.
In addition to the above, I am also 45% Northern European,( Germany, Switzerland, Belgium,) etc, with an additional 25% percent Ashkenazim Jewish, Hungarian, and Austrian. All in all I am very pleased with who I am.
My Grand-Daughter Jessica, age 18 years old, on the other hand, was in for a big surprise when her DNA results arrived. Believing that she was part Native American on her father’s side, she found out that her father’s Grandmother was not Native American after-all, or 100% Cherokee like he was told. There was no Native American DNA found in my Grand-daughters DNA that even suggests American Native. She was 92% European. It would appear, that my son-in-laws mother was given up for adoption as a baby and was raised by a Native American woman who was 100% Cherokee. Perhaps through some digging we can find out who this woman was.
TB Riggs. tbriggsnovelist.comMy DNA surprised me by concluding I am 65.9% English,24.4& Eastern European and 9.7% Scandinavian. I know where both Mother and Father’s families came from in Germany. Could it be that results of DNA are based on ancestors who migrated to Germany ?
Hi Eleanor,
Our ethnicity estimates go back 5-6 generations, so that is definitely possible.
Best,
Esther / MyHeritage Team
I also are related to George H.W Bush and other Presidents and even Royalty from England . I’m Irish Welch Scottish Scandinavian.
I am also related to George H.W. Bush. I also had ancestors come over on the Mayflower. I also have ancestors that were Royalty from England. IM also Irish. Scottish. Welch. And Scandinavian. I share DNA to many actors. Scientist. Presidents. Poet’s. I’m an thrilled to know my ancestors. Some were Patriots in the Revolutionary War. My family were also in WW1 and WW2. Makes me feel proud to know my Heritage.
There is no birth record for me to be found am 70 year old could you help me find one both of my parents have pass away no one on my dad side or my mpms side of the family know noting about it or where it could be found
How do I upload my dna from ancestry?
Hi Julia Ann,
Please visit http://www.myheritage.com/dna/upload to learn how to upload your DNA results.
Best, Esther / MyHeritage Team
I am also related to the Bush family. I am sure you will get a lot of people writing in, who you are related to.
I am 44% Irish, and 53% Great Britain, and 3% Swedish
I am related to many famous people, which tells me how good hand writing was passed down..
Some of my ancestors were coal miners and many were farmers.
John Howland was one of my Ancestors who fell overboard on the Mayflower!
Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and others are on our tree. Happy hunting. It is addictive!I would love to find out about my family
checking my heritage
Never knew my grandparents. Please help.
I don’t much my earth side of family
I would
D like to find out my father famialyddI have always questioned who and where I came from… Never really got any definite proven answers from anyone…. I am a mother of 3 and would love to be able to tell my kids about their Heritage and ancestors…. Any help would be appreciated!
Would like to find out my Heritage
Find out about my father’s family
I would like to find out my heritage on my mothers side.
I would love to know my heritage
Want to know
I’ve never before looked up
Would like any info on heritage.
im signing up for the free 14 days to see if im interested
Would love to know my family history. Do not know my father’s family at all, but would love also to know my mother’s family.
Saw this on Dr.Phil today . Thought how interesting maybe I should do it to. Always wondered my
Have always wanted to know where both sides of my family came from.
I am interested in learning about my heritage.
I just saw this today. Dr.Phil, your sister Deana was married to my cousin, C.J. Prater. So sorry for the loss ❤
Just saw this today on Dr Phil and was curious.
I’m looking for I think a brother was born in fla in 69/70
My Dad name was James Arlen Mann.
Mother was Reta Kingston, St Catherines, Ont, Canada.
I don’t know alot about my father .but I do know his name . Would love to know more
I am looking for the Walter Olson/Jean Grant history. My mother’s maiden name was Olson. Her mother’s maiden name was Grant. Jean Grant died when my mother, Barbara Jane, was about three or four. Barbara had a sister Elizabeth (Betty) Olson, Zoet, Carr. I am wanting to target on the Grant side of the family.
I would truly love too know about my families Heritage it would truly be the most amazing things to know ..
All relatives are from russia
This is so great for people to be able to be able to find out about their ancestory. I am looking forward to doing this for myself
Thank You for making your viewers aware of this service .
Michelle Azulay
I would just love to know who my family is my dad didn’t know his father
I was told my great grand father was royality in Poland & married a commoner & excuminicated from his family!! Would live to know the whole story & if I truly come from royality!!! I don’t know a lot about my dads side!
I’m curious to know how my aunt on my fathers
side died and more history on my uncle Francisco on my fathers sideThis seems very amazing I would like to try mine.
I watch Dr. Phil quite often . It was great to see Robin and Dr. Phil get there Heritage done on TV.
Like to know how to find who was my father or his side have a name of a cousin that we don’t even know. Could be on fathers s
I was adopted by Fred Carter and Frances Ethyl Ann Parr in 1947
I was adopted by Fred L Carter and Frances Ethyl Ann Parr in 1947.
Thank you Dr. Phil for giving me the opportunity to find out about my heritage.
Both sets of grandparents came over as immigrants. I would like to learn about my families.
I want to follow the genealogy on my fathers side because I have a few more details. He was born in 1900 and graduated from Indiana University which was very unusual for country boy.
Hi, Long story short…I sent in my dad’s dna sample, he is 86 years old. I sent it into Family tree dna.. results came back …….he is not a Hickman he is a Shoemaker…….I was stunned….I told him a few weeks later…..So I sent in his dna to Ancestry .com. They picked matches on my grandma side….So I don’t know if he is a Hickman or Shoemaker… confused why am I
My father was Irish born in Hartford, Connecticut he died at 57 was a mailman, nice man, he loved me very much. My mother is Germand/Irish born in Hartford, Connecticut she is 87 yrs old right now. She could care less about me. And that is okay, because I have Jesus as my personal Savior and that is my mom and dad now.
My grand mother migrated from Mexico and her husband first name was Maurice hers was Refugio Marie cruz
I was interested in finding out about my family tree. My Mother maiden name Maybee and Father name Wirth.
George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States is my 11th cousin
Good questions, Dr. Phil
Connie Gilliam
December 11, 2018
I have no idea who my father is or anyone on my mothers side beyond her mom & dad. Help would be a