Canadian family found 1,100-year-old Hungarian ancestor with unique Asian gene

The Harasti family in Canada knew that they have a lot of relatives in Hungary and Slovakia’s Hungarian community. But they probably never expected that, thanks to DNA research, they would be able to meet the oldest known Hungarian “ancestor” ever found. The warrior ancestor died 1,100 years ago and was probably a member of the Hungarian tribes conquering the Carpathian basin. Moreover, we know that he was close to Árpád, the leader of the Hungarians, or his tribe since his burial site is in the sovereign’s territory. Here is a short but heartwarming tale about the benefits of DNA research and family reunification. Even after more than a millennium.

Válasz Online wrote about an unbelievable story connecting a 1,100-year-old Hungarian warrior buried near Tuzsér (NE Hungary), locals from Tornaszentandrás (Hungary) and Udvarnok (Slovakia), and Canada. The common thread is the Haraszti-Harasti Hungarian family and a unique genetic modification helping researchers connect the dots.

Pál Géza Haraszti was 17 when he left his village given to Chechoslovakia after the Peace Treaty of Trianon. His parents sent him to America because of the economic hardships and unemployment crisis following Trianon and WWI. Mr Haraszti arrived in Quebec City in 1924 and travelled 2,900 km to get to a farmer who gave him a job, food and accommodation. He married, had nine children but did not teach them Hungarian. Therefore, the Harasti family knows only one Hungarian word: goulash. And the 20 grandchildren and 29 great-grandchildren regularly eat that dish in Canada at big family reunions. But that was their only “Hungarian heritage”. Until 2019.

Paul Harasti, Pál Géza’s son, was the first to come back to Hungary. He found some relatives in Tornaszentandrás, they visited the local graveyard and, of course, ate goulash. Mónika Haraszti told Válasz Online they did not know about their “American relatives”. After carefully studying the birth certificates and other documents, they could trace back their family until 1719.

But the Canadian family did a DNA test in 2014, clearing that they have a unique East Asian genetic mutation. They wanted to know more, so they joined the Árpád-ház program. The program’s main goal is to reveal the anthropological and genetic picture of the Árpád era Hungarians. In a 2020 paper, they examined the earthly remains of 19 conquest era (end of the 9th century) warriors.

One of them was found in the “Witch Hill” of Tuzsér, a small Hungarian village close to the Slovakian-Hungarian border. He was probably a member of Árpád’s tribe since he was buried in his territory. He was not old when he died since his teeth were in good shape. Furthermore, he had silver, arrowheads and decorated accessories on his grave.

The “ancient Haraszti” had European and Asian features. His headshape was oval, he had a narrow nose and a European eye. However, his cheekbone showed Mongoloid ancestors, it was broad and flat. Researchers believe the warrior’s ancestors should be searched somewhere in South Siberia. Thus, we can say that the Haraszti-Harasti family is slowly moving closer and closer to their origins, but by circumventing the other side of the planet.

Interestingly, Ágnes Kustár revealed the face of the Hungarian warrior. Here is a photo of him:

Paul Harasti, Pál Géza’s grandson, told Válasz Online that he felt at home when he travelled to Tornaszentandrás, and he regards his relatives and the warrior ancestor as important.