What really gets me are all my shared matches who have "private" trees and won't respond to communications. They get the benefit of my test and my tree without sharing their information. Ancestry should block people with "private" trees from seeing/using public tree DNA info.
I'm just about okay with people having private trees, although it does seem rather to go against the spirit of family history research, which I see as fundamentally a collaborative enterprise. What is absolutely not okay for me though is people with private trees who are happy to take the material I make available free of charge on my public tree, but will not give anything back in return, won't let you see their tree, and usually won't even reply to a politely-worded message. I too think Ancestry should take a stronger line with these people, don't suppose it'll happen though; they're a commercial outfit, so it's all about the money for them.
I work on foundling cases every week for individuals who have zero non-identifying information about their biological family. I will add that topic to my list. Thanks!
I have one of those special cases where my great grandmother was an orphan who ran away from her adopted parents and changed her name. So we don't know her birth name, or adopted name, there are no records for her birth date at any of the nearby orphanages, So all I have to go off of is some descendents DNA. Well, mostly just mine for now, working on getting another cousin to get a test that is in one of her other childrens line. I've already created a baseline family that I have matches with that are not in my tree and fit her ancestry timeline. Just hoping my cousin will have some matching matches so I can pinpoint her ancestry a little more accurate.
Sounds like you are on the right track, Nicholas. My case is a great-great-grandfather. He didn't change his name but trying to figure out which one of 12 different John O'Briens he might be has turned into a real challenge. A couple of DNA matches may be the key to discovering who his parents are. (Crista)
Crista, the circled "i" which for you came after the Confidence bar, for me comes after the Possible Range information. I can't see the shared DNA info on my list of matches, only the possible relationships within the ranges. Is this something that hasn't been fully implemented yet?
+Katherine Schroeder You can only see the shared centimorgans if you are viewing the match (not on the list, but actually clicking through to view the match page).
Hey Crista, I have been really trying to get a first cousin on my father's side to test and she is just half-hearted about it---even though I have really pumped up AncestryDNA. I think she is looking at 23&Me, even though I have told her about the AncestryDNA sale going on. If she does go that route, will I be able to have her upload her DNA file into Ancestry? I don't know that much about the 23&Me service--if it's Autosomal or the Y-DNA/mtDNA. Thanks!
Does the fact that a DNA match and I both have trees with a common ancestor verify that the common ancestor is indeed my ancestor, or could we both still be 'barking up the wrong tree'?
Great question, Sam. It is certainly a piece of genealogical evidence that points in that direction. Other things to evaluate to test that hypothesis include: 1. How close is the relationship between you and the DNA match? How many centimorgans of DNA do you share? 2. How complete are both of your family trees? Is there any possibility that the shared DNA you have came from another ancestor on your tree? 3. Have any other descendants of the common ancestor (through any other of their children) DNA tested? Do you and/or this match also match that person/people? 4. What other evidence (paper trail documentation) have each of you uncovered, independently, that identifies this common ancestor as the parent(s) of your ancestor?
The problem I have is my mom was adopted and she never knew her biological parents. Even her brother was adopted from different parents, so there is absolutely no DNA value on that side. On my father's side I have confirmed matches which go back to my 3x great grandfather on my father's line, but that's my brick wall. I have not been able to positively identify his parents. More frustrating is there is a very large community which I believe I am related to with a very high degree of confidence. This family is the origins of my sir name in the US, and where they settled seems to be the same place where all branches of my sir name (and common variations) trace back to. However, I have a gap of 1-3 generations where I have not been able to establish a link to the early settlers. It's a shame Ancestry doesn't provide a way for you to select a well established person, to see if your DNA is a match for that person. Unfortunately the person I would use is not in my family tree because I have not established a connection, and the same applies to trying to establish a connection starting with that person and building forward.
Justin - What you are describing (using AncestryDNA to discover biological parents and other relatives) is exactly what the DNA Match list can help you do. It doesn't matter if the person who took the test was adopted or if the ancestor you are looking for is your 3x great-grandfather's parents. It sounds like you are doing the right things. You have confirmed matches along your father's line back to the 3x great-grandfather. Do any of those people know who his parents are? Do you have a suspected set of parents? Have you traced all of their known children and grandchildren? Do any of your matches have THOSE people in their trees?
I do have a strong suspect for my 4X great-grandparents, but my 3x great-grandfather is not listed as one of their children on any family tree I have found. Unfortunately he was on his own before the 1850 census, when all family members starting being listed by name rather than tick marks. However, the 1830 and 1840 census tally marks of family members match what would be expected if my 3xgg was part of that family - meaning the tally marks line up with the number of children in each age/gender category. This couple also lived in the same community where my 3xgg was married and said to have been born. Unfortunately I have not been able to find any information about this couple's parents, so I don't have other branches to explore. As for my mother, I'm not really sure how to explore her line. I have built a tree based on her adopted parents, and found people who match along those lines going back 7-8 generations. However, there is no DNA match to be had because my mother was adopted so neither of her parents are her biological parents. That being said, I do have numerous DNA matches with no apparent common ancestor.
I should add that with my mother I'm interested in finding her biological line. I have already built a tree based on her adopted parents, and found some people who are DNA matches to that tree. However, I would like to find out if any of the DNA matches which have no apparent connections might be from my mother's biological line.
We had my wife tested and she started a limited family tree. However, I have an extensive tree built with both of families included so how can I administer her test in my tree?
+David Hiatt ~~Hi David. Couple questions.. Did your wife's results already come in? And also, do you have one account (one membership with one or more trees on it)? If so.. it's super easy to have one account and maintain multiple DNA results and multiple trees on it. If you have one Ancestry account... it sounds like you've already created another tree on there for your wife. If that's the case, when her results come in, YOU will be the administrator of the test (meaning all e-mail updates go to you) but it will ask you which tree her results should be connected to. That's where you type in "Dave's wife's tree" (just an example.. :D) ....And when either of you get new DNA hits, you'll get an e-mail that there's new results in Dave's tree, or... there's new results in Dave's wife's tree, etc.. I have 3 trees and have had 5 DNA tests done, Three out of the 5 DNA results (mine, my brother's and my dad's) all go to my main tree.. I also have a tree for my husband and his results go to his tree, the 3rd one I created is one for my step-mom.. My step-mom's is a tiny tree, but once in a while I get an email that she has a new match. On your Ancestry DNA page, anytime you want to look at anyone else's DNA results, you just scroll down at the top of the page where it says "View another test". I hope this makes sense? These are directions for people with one account, but who maintain more than one tree & more than one DNA test... Let me know if I confused things! :D
My dad and I have both taken Ancestry's DNA test. My dad's first cousins have as well (one on his dad's side and the other on his mom's side). So, in theory all branches of his tree should be covered. I would have thought that all of my dad's shared matches would also be a shared match to one of these cousins but that is not the case. My dad and I have several matches who I know are also a match to these cousins but they do not show up as their shared matches. Why?
@@Hawk247365 We aren't guaranteed DNA matches beyond 2nd cousins. They are still cousins, but just don't share DNA. Maybe that is what is happening in your situation.
If the test has been shared with your account, you will see a drop-down list on your DNA page that says, "View Another Test." Click to view the test of the other person. Then click on SETTINGS. Under Family Tree Linking, you can link it to your tree. Just make sure that it is linked to the person who took the test - which means you have to have them entered into your tree.
Crista, in looking at mine and my husband's Beta DNA group, the groups identified the maternal side instead of the paternal side. I didn't think to much of it as my lineage is very difficult to trace my Dad's side; however my husband has a very well researched lineage, and his Beta DNA group doesn't identify his paternal side. Is this normal?
+Shirley Luckett How are you coming to the conclusion that your maternal side is not represented? Are you only looking at DNA Circles and New Ancestor Discoveries or are you also viewing your DNA Matches?
+Ancestry Hi Crista, my maternal DNA is being identified on the BETA DNA group. It's my paternal side not being identified. I really didn't think much of it since the Caudle lineage is difficult to trace since the broken link was around the Civil War in the southern states (Alabama & Georgia). My paternal side Caudle (Grandfather) wasn't identified however my paternal side Riggins (Grandmother) shows many connections. I really didn't think much of if until I had my husband DNA submitted. His DNA didn't identify his paternal side Luckett (Grandfather) with any of the BETA groups however his paternal side (Grandmother) Beaven also showed many connects (over 30 groups). Is this normal? I have been able to use the search function for the paternal male name. Just was wondering why I have been able to find a connection to the paternal grandfather with any BETA DNA group?
+Ancestry Hi Crista, my maternal DNA is being identified on the BETA DNA group. It's my paternal side not being identified. I really didn't think much of it since the Caudle lineage is difficult to trace since the broken link was around the Civil War in the southern states (Alabama & Georgia). My paternal side Caudle (Grandfather) wasn't identified however my paternal side Riggins (Grandmother) shows many connections. I really didn't think much of if until I had my husband DNA submitted. His DNA didn't identify his paternal side Luckett (Grandfather) with any of the BETA groups however his paternal side (Grandmother) Beaven also showed many connects (over 30 groups). Is this normal? I have been able to use the search function for the paternal male name. Just was wondering why I have been able to find a connection to the paternal grandfather with any BETA DNA group?
+Stacee McCarter ~The cool thing is that even if you only show one DNA circle so far.. you will continue to get DNA results rolling in (and probably more circles) all the time. I've heard some people over at the Ancestry Community Board say that the more they build their tree and add more ancestors, the more DNA matches (and circles) they're getting. I'm not sure if that's the case or not, but it kinda makes sense if you think about it. The more you expand your ancestors on your tree, the better chance they have of locating matches to that same person.. :0)
I have just ordered DNA kits for my dad and myself. I am trying to breaks brick wall with my maternal great grandmother. My mom was an only child who is deceased. Her mother had one brother who had no children and both are deceased. I'm not sure who else I can test to verify results. Any advice will be appreciated.
Hi Misty! Are you also an only child? You only have half of your mother's DNA. So, if you have a sibling that can test, that will give you more of your mom's DNA to work with. If you do not have siblings or 1st cousins or 2nd cousins on your mom's mom's side of the family, then you will need to work with any 3rd or 4th cousin matches that come up on your match list when you get your DNA results back.
@@AncestryUS thank you for your reply. I have one older half sister and one younger brother. My mom had no first cousins from her maternal side. However I do know of a person who claims to be the daughter of my great grandmother's brother. This will be the direction I will have to go. Thank you again.
Sometimes you know the people who have tested. Sometimes you can tell who they are based on their user name and the shared matches you have in common. Sometimes, I just send them a message and ask them. (Crista)
+Joseph Franklin Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. You inherit 1/2 of each pair from your father and 1/2 from your mother. Chromosomes 1-22 are called autosomes. Chromosome 23 is your sex chromosome. The Y chromosome is the 1/2 of the sex chromosome. Men inherit it from their father. Women do not have a Y, they get an X. So, a YDNA test only looks at the 1 chromosome (Y) and only men can take the test. And, it will only give you information about one line (out of hundreds) of your family tree. An autosomal DNA test (which is the one that Ancestry offers) looks at the other 22 pairs of chromosomes (what you inherited from both parents, who in turn inherited from each of their parents, and so on). Men and women can take the test. And it can provide you with a lot more information about your family tree. This is the test that Ancestry offers.
Can a person's DNA be connected to more than one family tree? My husband has a tree and I have him on my tree. I now have his DNA connected to his tree. Would it be beneficial to have his DNA connected to my tree as well. Is it possible? Thanks...
I took a DNA test on Family Search years ago. It is still active. The problem I'm finding is that I really don't understand it and their explanation doesn't help. I'm also finding that all the surnames I'm being matched to aren't any where in my family tree and I've found over 8000 people. Also these people don't respond to queries via email, so they are no help. I also found that the results are based on the number of people that have actually supplied DNA in each country, so if 500 people in Ireland supplied DNA and 5000 supplied DNA in England, the results will probably give you a higher percentage of matches in England even though your family may have originated in Ireland. So you can't say "Yea I'm English". You're really Irish. The migration of people has a lot to do with your results also. If your family originates in Ireland and the majority migrates to England and prospers there but the remaining Irish dwindle, your results will show you're English when in fact you are Irish. These sites and TV spots keep telling you, you can" find out who you are and find long lost family", but you can't. Now tell my is Ancestry.com DNA test is any different?
In my family search, I was wedded to particular paternal surnames and birth date and placenames based on info supplied by my late father. After DNA testing on Ancestry, I had no matches to any of those names, dates or places. After months of fruitlessly examining my dna matches for any hint of any of that info, I matched to someone who it turned out was a paternal half-sibling. Our mutual father had deserted his young pregnant wife and son during the Depression and taken a new identity. So, for a good 30 yrs, I had been looking for records that never existed. Dna put me in the correct track and I am happily building my paternal tree based on that and subsequent dna matches. My point is that if dna is not leading you toward surnames you recognize, maybe it’s time to rethink your paper tree. Someone in any generation could have changed their name, an adoption could have occurred or a birth outside the established family may have occurred. Follow the DNA. The Facebook page, DNA Detectives was a pivotal help in my search.
Lucky those who can build a solid base. None of my family are interested. Plus, we arent that close a family that I could just hand a test tube over. I’m beginning to think I wasted my money, because the only people the test benefits, are adoptees, missing family or NPE circumstances.
If someone with unknown parentage can discover their entire biological family through DNA testing, someone who knows something about their family history can certainly make new discoveries. Start with the top matches on your list. How many centimorgans of DNA do you share with the top three of them?
The DNA test is VERY difficult to use. Beware, ancestry.com uses USPS for shipping. My test kit bounced around quite a bit and was deemed "undeliverable" at one point. I would never recommend ancestry DNA to anyone.
Does your maternal grandpa have any older siblings? If so, even if they're gone, they might've written down the information about John O'Brien somewhere.
+Astonish_Injurer Thanks for the suggestion. My mom pretty much grilled all her uncles for any information they had to share back in the 1970s. So, we are working with all the family memories we could collect.
What really gets me are all my shared matches who have "private" trees and won't respond to communications. They get the benefit of my test and my tree without sharing their information.
Ancestry should block people with "private" trees from seeing/using public tree DNA info.
Danny James I have the same problem.
I agree. It's maddening.
i have the same problem
It's infuriating, they should at LEAST answer when we message them
I'm just about okay with people having private trees, although it does seem rather to go against the spirit of family history research, which I see as fundamentally a collaborative enterprise. What is absolutely not okay for me though is people with private trees who are happy to take the material I make available free of charge on my public tree, but will not give anything back in return, won't let you see their tree, and usually won't even reply to a politely-worded message. I too think Ancestry should take a stronger line with these people, don't suppose it'll happen though; they're a commercial outfit, so it's all about the money for them.
Being able to go to a particular page of results, instead of having to page through 1 by 1, would be EXTREMELY helpful.
+divacassandra1 You can. Just type the page number into the box and hit enter.
Very safe genealogy advice. Well done. Thank yoy.
Can you do a video on a DNA case study for an adoption that does not have supporting records?
I work on foundling cases every week for individuals who have zero non-identifying information about their biological family. I will add that topic to my list. Thanks!
I have one of those special cases where my great grandmother was an orphan who ran away from her adopted parents and changed her name. So we don't know her birth name, or adopted name, there are no records for her birth date at any of the nearby orphanages, So all I have to go off of is some descendents DNA. Well, mostly just mine for now, working on getting another cousin to get a test that is in one of her other childrens line. I've already created a baseline family that I have matches with that are not in my tree and fit her ancestry timeline. Just hoping my cousin will have some matching matches so I can pinpoint her ancestry a little more accurate.
Sounds like you are on the right track, Nicholas. My case is a great-great-grandfather. He didn't change his name but trying to figure out which one of 12 different John O'Briens he might be has turned into a real challenge. A couple of DNA matches may be the key to discovering who his parents are. (Crista)
I used to have a boss named John Cowan at Boeing in Renton, Washington, in the 1990s.
Crista, the circled "i" which for you came after the Confidence bar, for me comes after the Possible Range information. I can't see the shared DNA info on my list of matches, only the possible relationships within the ranges. Is this something that hasn't been fully implemented yet?
+Katherine Schroeder You can only see the shared centimorgans if you are viewing the match (not on the list, but actually clicking through to view the match page).
Hey Crista, I have been really trying to get a first cousin on my father's side to test and she is just half-hearted about it---even though I have really pumped up AncestryDNA. I think she is looking at 23&Me, even though I have told her about the AncestryDNA sale going on. If she does go that route, will I be able to have her upload her DNA file into Ancestry? I don't know that much about the 23&Me service--if it's Autosomal or the Y-DNA/mtDNA.
Thanks!
Unfortunately, Ancestry can not accept uploads of raw data DNA from other services.
@@AncestryUS With respect, I think it's actually a case of 'will not', not 'can not'.
Does the fact that a DNA match and I both have trees with a common ancestor verify that the common ancestor is indeed my ancestor, or could we both still be 'barking up the wrong tree'?
Great question, Sam. It is certainly a piece of genealogical evidence that points in that direction. Other things to evaluate to test that hypothesis include:
1. How close is the relationship between you and the DNA match? How many centimorgans of DNA do you share?
2. How complete are both of your family trees? Is there any possibility that the shared DNA you have came from another ancestor on your tree?
3. Have any other descendants of the common ancestor (through any other of their children) DNA tested? Do you and/or this match also match that person/people?
4. What other evidence (paper trail documentation) have each of you uncovered, independently, that identifies this common ancestor as the parent(s) of your ancestor?
The problem I have is my mom was adopted and she never knew her biological parents. Even her brother was adopted from different parents, so there is absolutely no DNA value on that side.
On my father's side I have confirmed matches which go back to my 3x great grandfather on my father's line, but that's my brick wall. I have not been able to positively identify his parents. More frustrating is there is a very large community which I believe I am related to with a very high degree of confidence. This family is the origins of my sir name in the US, and where they settled seems to be the same place where all branches of my sir name (and common variations) trace back to. However, I have a gap of 1-3 generations where I have not been able to establish a link to the early settlers.
It's a shame Ancestry doesn't provide a way for you to select a well established person, to see if your DNA is a match for that person. Unfortunately the person I would use is not in my family tree because I have not established a connection, and the same applies to trying to establish a connection starting with that person and building forward.
Justin - What you are describing (using AncestryDNA to discover biological parents and other relatives) is exactly what the DNA Match list can help you do. It doesn't matter if the person who took the test was adopted or if the ancestor you are looking for is your 3x great-grandfather's parents.
It sounds like you are doing the right things. You have confirmed matches along your father's line back to the 3x great-grandfather. Do any of those people know who his parents are? Do you have a suspected set of parents? Have you traced all of their known children and grandchildren? Do any of your matches have THOSE people in their trees?
I do have a strong suspect for my 4X great-grandparents, but my 3x great-grandfather is not listed as one of their children on any family tree I have found. Unfortunately he was on his own before the 1850 census, when all family members starting being listed by name rather than tick marks. However, the 1830 and 1840 census tally marks of family members match what would be expected if my 3xgg was part of that family - meaning the tally marks line up with the number of children in each age/gender category. This couple also lived in the same community where my 3xgg was married and said to have been born.
Unfortunately I have not been able to find any information about this couple's parents, so I don't have other branches to explore.
As for my mother, I'm not really sure how to explore her line. I have built a tree based on her adopted parents, and found people who match along those lines going back 7-8 generations. However, there is no DNA match to be had because my mother was adopted so neither of her parents are her biological parents. That being said, I do have numerous DNA matches with no apparent common ancestor.
I should add that with my mother I'm interested in finding her biological line. I have already built a tree based on her adopted parents, and found some people who are DNA matches to that tree. However, I would like to find out if any of the DNA matches which have no apparent connections might be from my mother's biological line.
We had my wife tested and she started a limited family tree. However, I have an extensive tree built with both of families included so how can I administer her test in my tree?
+David Hiatt ~~Hi David. Couple questions.. Did your wife's results already come in? And also, do you have one account (one membership with one or more trees on it)? If so.. it's super easy to have one account and maintain multiple DNA results and multiple trees on it. If you have one Ancestry account... it sounds like you've already created another tree on there for your wife. If that's the case, when her results come in, YOU will be the administrator of the test (meaning all e-mail updates go to you) but it will ask you which tree her results should be connected to. That's where you type in "Dave's wife's tree" (just an example.. :D) ....And when either of you get new DNA hits, you'll get an e-mail that there's new results in Dave's tree, or... there's new results in Dave's wife's tree, etc.. I have 3 trees and have had 5 DNA tests done, Three out of the 5 DNA results (mine, my brother's and my dad's) all go to my main tree.. I also have a tree for my husband and his results go to his tree, the 3rd one I created is one for my step-mom.. My step-mom's is a tiny tree, but once in a while I get an email that she has a new match. On your Ancestry DNA page, anytime you want to look at anyone else's DNA results, you just scroll down at the top of the page where it says "View another test". I hope this makes sense? These are directions for people with one account, but who maintain more than one tree & more than one DNA test... Let me know if I confused things! :D
My dad and I have both taken Ancestry's DNA test. My dad's first cousins have as well (one on his dad's side and the other on his mom's side). So, in theory all branches of his tree should be covered. I would have thought that all of my dad's shared matches would also be a shared match to one of these cousins but that is not the case. My dad and I have several matches who I know are also a match to these cousins but they do not show up as their shared matches. Why?
As I understand it, if the match is less than 20cM, it will not show up in the shared match list.
@@suzannemcclendon These are 4th-6th cousins in the 21-26 cm range.
@@Hawk247365 We aren't guaranteed DNA matches beyond 2nd cousins. They are still cousins, but just don't share DNA. Maybe that is what is happening in your situation.
How can you add other test to your tree?
If the test has been shared with your account, you will see a drop-down list on your DNA page that says, "View Another Test." Click to view the test of the other person. Then click on SETTINGS. Under Family Tree Linking, you can link it to your tree. Just make sure that it is linked to the person who took the test - which means you have to have them entered into your tree.
Crista, in looking at mine and my husband's Beta DNA group, the groups identified the maternal side instead of the paternal side. I didn't think to much of it as my lineage is very difficult to trace my Dad's side; however my husband has a very well researched lineage, and his Beta DNA group doesn't identify his paternal side. Is this normal?
+Shirley Luckett How are you coming to the conclusion that your maternal side is not represented? Are you only looking at DNA Circles and New Ancestor Discoveries or are you also viewing your DNA Matches?
+Ancestry Hi Crista, my maternal DNA is being identified on the BETA DNA group. It's my paternal side not being identified. I really didn't think much of it since the Caudle lineage is difficult to trace since the broken link was around the Civil War in the southern states (Alabama & Georgia). My paternal side Caudle (Grandfather) wasn't identified however my paternal side Riggins (Grandmother) shows many connections. I really didn't think much of if until I had my husband DNA submitted. His DNA didn't identify his paternal side Luckett (Grandfather) with any of the BETA groups however his paternal side (Grandmother) Beaven also showed many connects (over 30 groups). Is this normal?
I have been able to use the search function for the paternal male name. Just was wondering why I have been able to find a connection to the paternal grandfather with any BETA DNA group?
+Ancestry Hi Crista, my maternal DNA is being identified on the BETA DNA group. It's my paternal side not being identified. I really didn't think much of it since the Caudle lineage is difficult to trace since the broken link was around the Civil War in the southern states (Alabama & Georgia). My paternal side Caudle (Grandfather) wasn't identified however my paternal side Riggins (Grandmother) shows many connections. I really didn't think much of if until I had my husband DNA submitted. His DNA didn't identify his paternal side Luckett (Grandfather) with any of the BETA groups however his paternal side (Grandmother) Beaven also showed many connects (over 30 groups). Is this normal?
I have been able to use the search function for the paternal male name. Just was wondering why I have been able to find a connection to the paternal grandfather with any BETA DNA group?
How do you find the DNA circles? I don't see any on my account.
+Stacee McCarter If you don't see any when you go to your home page (dna)at the bottom then you do not have any.
Thank you! I actually have one showing. I will need to explore it.
+Stacee McCarter ~The cool thing is that even if you only show one DNA circle so far.. you will continue to get DNA results rolling in (and probably more circles) all the time. I've heard some people over at the Ancestry Community Board say that the more they build their tree and add more ancestors, the more DNA matches (and circles) they're getting. I'm not sure if that's the case or not, but it kinda makes sense if you think about it. The more you expand your ancestors on your tree, the better chance they have of locating matches to that same person.. :0)
I have just ordered DNA kits for my dad and myself. I am trying to breaks brick wall with my maternal great grandmother. My mom was an only child who is deceased. Her mother had one brother who had no children and both are deceased. I'm not sure who else I can test to verify results. Any advice will be appreciated.
Hi Misty! Are you also an only child? You only have half of your mother's DNA. So, if you have a sibling that can test, that will give you more of your mom's DNA to work with. If you do not have siblings or 1st cousins or 2nd cousins on your mom's mom's side of the family, then you will need to work with any 3rd or 4th cousin matches that come up on your match list when you get your DNA results back.
@@AncestryUS thank you for your reply. I have one older half sister and one younger brother. My mom had no first cousins from her maternal side. However I do know of a person who claims to be the daughter of my great grandmother's brother. This will be the direction I will have to go. Thank you again.
If there's no family tree, how were you able to figure out where they fit in your own family tree?
Sometimes you know the people who have tested. Sometimes you can tell who they are based on their user name and the shared matches you have in common. Sometimes, I just send them a message and ask them. (Crista)
How far back can Ancestry DNA go on the Y cromizone?
+Joseph Franklin AncestryDNA is an autosomal DNA test.
What's that mean?
+Joseph Franklin Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes. You inherit 1/2 of each pair from your father and 1/2 from your mother. Chromosomes 1-22 are called autosomes. Chromosome 23 is your sex chromosome. The Y chromosome is the 1/2 of the sex chromosome. Men inherit it from their father. Women do not have a Y, they get an X.
So, a YDNA test only looks at the 1 chromosome (Y) and only men can take the test. And, it will only give you information about one line (out of hundreds) of your family tree.
An autosomal DNA test (which is the one that Ancestry offers) looks at the other 22 pairs of chromosomes (what you inherited from both parents, who in turn inherited from each of their parents, and so on). Men and women can take the test. And it can provide you with a lot more information about your family tree. This is the test that Ancestry offers.
How would you ask your family members to take the dna test
Can a person's DNA be connected to more than one family tree? My husband has a tree and I have him on my tree. I now have his DNA connected to his tree. Would it be beneficial to have his DNA connected to my tree as well. Is it possible? Thanks...
+Diane Hoffman You can only connect it to one tree.
+Diane Hoffman your dna test can only be connected to one tree at a time.
I took a DNA test on Family Search years ago. It is still active. The problem I'm finding is that I really don't understand it and their explanation doesn't help. I'm also finding that all the surnames I'm being matched to aren't any where in my family tree and I've found over 8000 people. Also these people don't respond to queries via email, so they are no help.
I also found that the results are based on the number of people that have actually supplied DNA in each country, so if 500 people in Ireland supplied DNA and 5000 supplied DNA in England, the results will probably give you a higher percentage of matches in England even though your family may have originated in Ireland. So you can't say "Yea I'm English". You're
really Irish.
The migration of people has a lot to do with your results also. If your family originates in Ireland and the majority migrates to England and prospers there but the remaining Irish dwindle, your results will show you're English when in fact you are Irish.
These sites and TV spots keep telling you, you can" find out who you are and find long lost family", but you can't.
Now tell my is Ancestry.com DNA test is any different?
In my family search, I was wedded to particular paternal surnames and birth date and placenames based on info supplied by my late father. After DNA testing on Ancestry, I had no matches to any of those names, dates or places. After months of fruitlessly examining my dna matches for any hint of any of that info, I matched to someone who it turned out was a paternal half-sibling. Our mutual father had deserted his young pregnant wife and son during the Depression and taken a new identity. So, for a good 30 yrs, I had been looking for records that never existed. Dna put me in the correct track and I am happily building my paternal tree based on that and subsequent dna matches. My point is that if dna is not leading you toward surnames you recognize, maybe it’s time to rethink your paper tree. Someone in any generation could have changed their name, an adoption could have occurred or a birth outside the established family may have occurred. Follow the DNA. The Facebook page, DNA Detectives was a pivotal help in my search.
Lucky those who can build a solid base. None of my family are interested. Plus, we arent that close a family that I could just hand a test tube over. I’m beginning to think I wasted my money, because the only people the test benefits, are adoptees, missing family or NPE circumstances.
If someone with unknown parentage can discover their entire biological family through DNA testing, someone who knows something about their family history can certainly make new discoveries. Start with the top matches on your list. How many centimorgans of DNA do you share with the top three of them?
J. VESELY
The DNA test is VERY difficult to use. Beware, ancestry.com uses USPS for shipping. My test kit bounced around quite a bit and was deemed "undeliverable" at one point. I would never recommend ancestry DNA to anyone.
I have received 13 tests all on time. I would say that my experience is the normal
My experience was fine, and so was that of everybody else I know who's used the Ancestry DNA test service.
Does your maternal grandpa have any older siblings? If so, even if they're gone, they might've written down the information about John O'Brien somewhere.
+Astonish_Injurer Thanks for the suggestion. My mom pretty much grilled all her uncles for any information they had to share back in the 1970s. So, we are working with all the family memories we could collect.
what if your parents and siblings are all dead. I found that I have no connections to my dad.
Do you have aunts/uncles or 1st cousins on either side of your family that you could have tested?