I think its impossible to really know your heritage?

Question:

I think its impossible to really know your heritage?

How does anyone really know their heritage? For example, I think people assume that because they have an Italian last name that they are of mostly Italian ancestry. So if they did have an Italian ancestor, they most likely could have intermarried with someone like an English person, the conceived child could have intermarried with a Jew, and that child could have had a child with a Irish person. So eventually the Italian blood would be replaced by other European blood, but the last born child would still have the Italian surname, and would still look European. And also how do you explain how so many African-Americans have European names, but they are black? What do you think?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I think you don't hang out here too much. What you are saying, is almost exactly what most of the experienced researchers explain, several times a day. New researchers do assume exactly that. And they are told (as friendly as possible) that surnames and genealogy are apples and oranges.
It is also widely known that many of the African American families, with Southern US history, did in fact take surnames from the families that owned them. Thus the European name becomes theirs, but it is not their lineage.
Many, if not most, of the questions in this area, are from persons just getting started in research. Which is not a big deal to me... I enjoy explaining some of the general "how to's", and where they CAN research their real heritage. Impossible?? Not at all!! Hang out some more, and we'll help you get started, if you like.