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To wrap up my contribution to this thread.

For a few years I knew there was an NPE in my Paternal line but given the atDNA matches I could not resolve where that was.

I had a few different hypothesis and the problem was also exacerbated with there being a double whammy or rather a double set of gene transfers taking place, hence my Irish/Italian Avatar which relates to a double NPE.

One atDNA and a mass of Shared DNA matches all having a certain Surname in their past so the clue is there.

The yDNA test results have matches with that very same surname.

So positively YES, the yDNA test worked 100% for me.

My issue remains the tree from me to said Surname.

The voice activation system in my car will not recognise my accent.

The voice activation system Siri on my iPhone does not recognise my accent.

Whilst I did think of buying an Alexa unit, I saw this and thought better of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYvFxs32zvQ

Haplogroups in a nutshell:-

At the dawn of man/woman there became Tribe A

Over time the Tribe expanded and separated into Tribes AA, AB, AC

Over time these in turn separated such as AAA, AAB, AAC etc the same with Tribes AB, and AC who also expanded and separated.

As each Tribe expanded and genetic mutations occurred the DNA markers of these mutations can now be identified.

So a haplogroup “tree” would all go back to a common source ie mitochondrial Eve as she is called and yet the various branches and nodes on the tree each have their own specific Haplogroup reference.

Using haplogroups is how the remains of Richard III were identified.

Mapping the migration of a specific haplogroup is possible and said mapping shows where the group originated and where the subsequent “Tribe” separations took place and the migration route of the haplogroup of interest.  So one has to be a real nerd not to mention have deep pockets to be able to afford the high cost of the test and have results that only a die hard really is interested in.  I’m pretty sure I would be asleep standing up very quickly if someone started talking haplogroups at a party that I was at.

Hope that crude explanation helps.

Now yDNA is only passed Male to Male hence it is useful yet limited.

Conversely mtDNA is passed from Mother to all her children, it cannot be passed on by her Sons but her Daughters pass it on to her children.

Hence both these tests have limited usefulness in determining Parentage.

I have posted this before but do listen to the BBC Sounds series “The Gift”.

It is all about DNA and covers six different aspects in the broadcasts.

If anyone has any doubt about DNA test just listen to the episode where a guy who spent 30 years researching his Family History found out the truth about his past.

Quote from: Zaphod99 on Saturday 13 April 24 15:03 BST (UK)

Further to what I said earlier, and what Coombs has just said, DNA testing has shown that two of my 16 great great grandparents had illicit children. I don't think that's untypical.

Zaph

Yes, human behaviour has always been rollercoaster.

I know some stuff about DNA testing but I get confused with all this centimorgan data, and also know that it may not answer all your prayers as it is not as cut and dried as seems. I have been doing my family tree for almost 30 years but with DNA testing I am a novice, and have not even tested yet.

Coombs

There are plenty here to help, if and when you are ready to take a DNA test, pm me and I can send some files that I sent to help my Cousins understand what I have been doing.

Yes there can be pitfalls, but there are benefits, I am in contact with DNA Cousins (2C’s) who I never knew existed and they in turn have supplied plenty of family information.

The book by Blaine Bettinger is a good place to start.  He is the guy behind the DNA Painter website that you will have seen commented on and suggested here many times.