Author Topic: Basic DNA testing question  (Read 613 times)

Offline lcsnor

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Basic DNA testing question
« on: Monday 19 October 15 19:23 BST (UK) »
We have identified another family with the same surname in a very close location to a paternal ancestor (about 10 miles).  Have been unable to trace any connection through the records but feel sure there must be one.

Both families have traced back to about 1680 - but with no connection.

Would a DNA test (if done on both members of these two families (male)) indicate whether there was a genetic relationship - or is that too many generations for a DNA test to give any really valuable result?

Thanks!

Louise
Desperately seeking:
Martha Ann Keily - Limerick/Woolwich mid 1800s
Mary Jane Hawkins - Bridgwater c.1835
George Gulson - Warmfield or Mansfield 1790s

Census information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline brianoleary85

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Re: Basic DNA testing question
« Reply #1 on: Monday 19 October 15 20:35 BST (UK) »
A yDNA test should definitely show a relationship if there genuinely is a genetic relationship on the paternal line between you both (or rather both males) in the timeframe that your family adopted it's surname. This should be the case even if your "most recent common ancestor" was back in the 1600s or even further back.

I would imagine a 37 marker yDNA test should do the trick. If you match at least 33 out of the 37 markers, it would mean that you are almost certainly from the same family.

If there is a good DNA project in place for your surname, there should be good help on offer to try and give assistance - it might be worthwhile trying to drop them a line if they exist. But some DNA project administrators are much better than others.

Bear in mind, even if you both come from the same family from the genealogical point of view, there is always the chance that a "non parental event" (i.e. an affair, an adoption, etc.) at some stage back along on either line would mean that the genetics wouldn't add up.

Offline lcsnor

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Re: Basic DNA testing question
« Reply #2 on: Monday 19 October 15 21:50 BST (UK) »
Thank you so much for your very helpful response and for explaining so quickly.  This was exactly the information which we needed!

Louise
Desperately seeking:
Martha Ann Keily - Limerick/Woolwich mid 1800s
Mary Jane Hawkins - Bridgwater c.1835
George Gulson - Warmfield or Mansfield 1790s

Census information is Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk