A TalkTV presenter's casual decision to try a home DNA test has spiralled into a profound personal journey, stitching together fragments of a family narrative that spans centuries and continents.
From a Simple Kit to a Historical Epic
Peter Cardwell, a host on TalkTV, undertook a MyHeritage DNA test live on air, anticipating little more than a light-hearted segment. What unfolded was a deeply emotional exploration of his roots, revealing a genetic tapestry that maps the history of the British Isles itself.
His ethnicity estimate provided a detailed breakdown: 55.7% Scottish and Welsh, 22.6% Irish, and 17.6% English. The high Scottish percentage directly correlates with the Ulster Plantation of the 17th century, when thousands of Scots settled in Northern Ireland. This genetic evidence powerfully supported long-held family lore on his mother's side, the McLarens from Sixmilecross in County Tyrone, who believe they descend from three McLaren brothers who arrived with King William of Orange in 1690.
Ancient Origins and a Modern Heartbreak
Delving deeper with MyHeritage's Ancient Origins tool, Peter's lineage was traced back through Roman Britain and the subsequent Anglo-Saxon migrations. His profile showed a 32.8% Insular Celt signature, linking him to the ancient peoples of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. "It really is the history of the entire British Isles rolled into one person," he remarked.
The most poignant discovery, however, came from historical records. Peter uncovered the story of his great-uncle, Sergeant Navigator Robert Charles McLaren of the RAF. Robert was just 20 years old when he was killed in action in January 1944 during his second operational mission. The young airman's body was identified by a personal silver cigarette case—a haunting detail that brought the family's wartime loss into sharp, painful focus for Peter.
Connecting a Global Family
Beyond historical insights, the DNA test produced immediate, living connections. Peter was matched with 25,523 genetic relatives worldwide. Among them were close cousins in New Zealand, including Ange Pearson and her father Bob, as well as a third cousin, Russ McLaren, who had once met Peter's grandparents in Ireland back in 1988. Reconnecting these long-severed family threads left Peter "overjoyed" and planning future meetings.
The technology also automatically built an extensive family tree stretching back eight generations and used photo enhancement tools to restore and colourise an old photograph of his great-great-grandmother, Annie Dunbar.
Reflecting on the experience during the live broadcast, Peter confessed, "I found it fascinating — an emotional experience, to be honest. There’s a lot about my family I didn’t know… and a lot of relatives I didn’t know." Viewers echoed his sentiment, with many sharing how his journey inspired them to consider exploring their own ancestry.
