Do a person's physical features reveal their nationality?

Question

I'm not sure exactly what my roots are, I have heard a million stories but I understand that I'm of mixed British/European Spanish descent (on dad's side). But, I would like to know with certainty I often wish that I completely Spanish because i love latin stuff. But, maybe this is wishful thinking but I've long harboured hopes of maybe being mexican or some kind of latino.

My mom is from NY and Lyon and Steinberg are the only last names I'm really sure of. I found out that Steinberg is German and Jewish (paradox?)

My dad's family has lived in NC for an indefinite long time, but i have notice that most people in his family have jet black hair. Not just dark but azabache, blue-black (it's natural). I've also noticed that they don't lose their hair (my uncles are 60- 80 something and have loads of hair) and don't grow a lot of facial hair. Is it possible that we're mexican descent and just don't know it? (I don't look like mom or dad)

If you can help me, thank you!

Answer 1

Native Americans, Cherokees I know, have jet black hair and tons of it, very strong coarse thick hair.  Cherokees also do not have much facial or body hair. Also they have dark skin like hispanic people. Maybe you are Native American?

Answer 2

The best way to know is to trace your ancestry one generation at a time, starting with yourself.  Anytime you want to do that there are lots of good people on this board that can give you some great ideas.

DNA tests will not reveal your total ancestry.  Y DNA is passed soley from father to son.   Mitochondrial DNA is passed from mother to both sons and daughters.

What is not usually  used is autosomal DNA which is most of your DNA.  You get it 50-50 from both parents.  It is the only DNA that relates a female to her father.  Also Y DNA does not provide the spouses of the direct male line ancestors and mitochondrial does not provide the spouses of the direct female line.  A lot of people are left out.  If you get back to your 6xgreat grandparents, you can be directly descended from 510 people. If you are male,  you would have the Ydna of only 8 of those people and the Mitochondrial DNA of only 8.  You have the Autosomal DNA of all 510.

You would have to find a company that uses autosomal for ethnicity testing and still it will not be for specific countries.  

You indicated there was a paradox with Steinberg being German and Jewish.  No it isn't.  When surnames were taken or assigned in the last melennium Jews took surnames just like their non Jewish countrymen,  A lot of names in the U.S. get identified as Jewish as a large portion of the immigrants to the U.S. with certain names were Jewish, while back in their home countries the same names were used by both Jews and Christians.

Until after WWI when Hitler and his n***s took over, German Jews were regarded as the most fortunate Jews in Europe.  The Russian Jews had the saddest plight.

Answer 3

What are their paternal surnames? That will be more helpful than looking for racial characteristics.  

Y-DNA 'deep ancestry' tests with 50-60 markers will give a stunningly accurate picture of your male ancestors migration routes, even 'when' they were there.

Familydna.com can do this, or Genebase.com, or ancestry.com - finding what haplogroup they are will be productive.

I've done a deep ancestry test and I've found it to be the most exciting journey I've ever taken.

regards,

RouX - The Phoenician

Answer 4

All is possible but one thing for sure you are a human being and a child of God. A beautiful woman with love in your heart and plenty of compassion for other people is the basis of morals and ethics and standards. Thats all required- love.