9
« on: Friday 22 March 24 15:06 GMT (UK) »
18% is about 1224cM which is a close relationship.
With you using percentage that indicates to me that you took a DNA test with My Heritage, please confirm if this is the case?
Without doubt the best company to take a DNA test with is Ancestry, they have a vastly greater database of people who have been tested. Also a copy of the DNA data can be downloaded from Ancestry and uploaded to My Heritage, ftDNA and Gedcom thus increasing the number of DNA matches.
Now given the close relationship you have I am going to suggest a DNA strategy.
If you have Siblings then get them to take a DNA test.
As you have no known Paternal First Cousins you have no one whose DNA can be used to cross reference.
If you are aware of a Paternal Second Cousin then they to can take a DNA test.
This will maximise the chances of determining relationships.
Meanwhile printout a 5 generation pedigree family tree and with each DNA match that you link to and include in your tree you then mark them on your printed family tree at the MRCA you share with said match.
Once you have added a few DNA matches to the printout it will become clear where there are xGrandparents where there are no DNA shared matches. Why I am stressing the importance of a chart is to validate that you have proven DNA matches in your tree that link to each line of your Grandparents and to each line of your Great Grandparents. If you have none then there is an NPE in your tree, if you have these proven matches linked to MPCA’s then your Father may have Fathered a child by another woman, or Grandfather may have, or Grandparents may have given up a child for unofficial adoption. There are a lot of permutations possible, so do be aware of them.
In a family tree there can be an NPE event, ie “not the parent expected” or Non-Parental Event” despite there being paper evidence it can be totally wrong and an unofficial adoption may have taken place.
Be prepared.