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Topics - jillruss

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Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing / I'm in a pickle!!

« on: Monday 21 October 19 14:37 BST (UK) »

I do this every time I try to set myself up as a manager for a relative's DNA results! I've made a b---s up of it again and need help!

I've just activated my brother's DNA sample before posting it off tomorrow. So far, so good. I think! I set up an account for my brother but using my PC. Then I decided to set the ball rolling for me to manage his account by going in as him and making myself a manager. I waited for the email to ask me to accept this role but it never came. I'm afraid my tech knowledge is awful but is this because I can't send an email to myself on my own PC - or what? Should I have waited until his results arrived? Does it only work if he sends the 'inviation to manage' to me from his own PC?

I'm lost! Help! (sorry I'm so useless).

Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing / How can this be right?

« on: Tuesday 08 October 19 16:31 BST (UK) »

Sorry - this is complicated!

I manage my niece's (C's) test results. Today she has a new match with 37 cMs - a reasonably biggie.

I checked for a corresponding match in my own list (7cMs) ; in her uncle's (my brother)(none), and finally in her father's (my brother)(7cMs).

This new match has a smallish tree but I couldn't see any familiar names, though the locations were possible. So, I checked for shared matches on C's list and came up with two people who ARE on C's list but, when I checked her full list of matches, they are from her mother's side, which must explain why her number of matched cMs is so much higher than her father's. It seems Ancestry only indicate which side of the family the match is on when you look at the full list - if you just go for the 'new matches' list, it isn't indicated one way or the other.

Neither of those two shared matches with C and the new chap are on my list nor either of my two brothers' lists. So far, so good in that this must be a match from her mother's side. However, why would both myself and C's father (but not the other brother) also have a small match with the new chap? I've checked our shared matches with the new chap and in both cases (me and C's dad) the only shared match is C!!

Does this mean that somewhere along the line our side of the family 'intermingled' with C's mother's side of the family. Or is it more likely just a blip?

Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing / Starred match on Ancestry DNA

« on: Sunday 06 October 19 17:18 BST (UK) »

I've resisted asking this for a while, as I feel I should know the answer - but I don't!

On Ancestry DNA, what exactly is a Starred Match? I don't have any.

but my niece (I manage her matches) does - and its me!!

Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing / How can I gain access to my niece's DNA matches?

« on: Friday 27 September 19 16:50 BST (UK) »

About a year ago, my niece (she's 23 and my brother's daughter) did a DNA test. I knew nothing about it until after the event and I've no idea why she did it because she has never shown much interest in her family history (other than a school project) before or since. She doesn't have a sub with Ancestry.

I'd like to persuade her, if its possible, to allow me to 'take over' her list of matches. We're on good terms so I don't think she'll take much persuading! I'll just have to give her step by step instructions on how to do it! I've looked on Ancestry but I can't see anywhere such instructions might be located.

I'd appreciate advice on:-

1. Is it possible for me to do this? If so, I'm assuming she will have to do something from her 'end'. Can anyone please explain to me what that 'something' is? And, if it is possible, will I be able to look at and compare her matches as I do my own, even though she hasn't got a sub? (I have).

2. If anyone has experience of this - studying and comparing a niece or nephew's matches - how much do you think is to be gained from the exercise? My niece shares 1798 cMs over 74 segments with me, but, of course, her matches will also include her mother's side of the family which will be of no use to me. I'm curious to hear opinions as to whether this exercise would be helpful to me or might just 'muddy the waters' too much?

The Common Room / Ancestry DNA kits on offer

« on: Thursday 26 September 19 12:14 BST (UK) »

I've just noticed that Ancestry are currently offering their DNA kits for £59 + shipping (usually £9.99 unless you want it quicker). If I remember correctly, that's a saving of £20. Offer ends 6th October. I've just snapped one up for another one of my brothers to do his impression of Spit The Dog!!

So, if any of you have been in the 'undecided' camp, take the plunge now. I could do with a few more matches!!!

Ancestral Family Tree DNA Testing / Ancestry - common ancestors/Thrulines help.

« on: Monday 23 September 19 16:35 BST (UK) »

I realise I'm probably having a senior day re Ancestry's newish DNA layout.

Could anyone please explain to me the difference between 'common ancestors' (which I use) and Thrulines (which I don't quite see the point of)? I'm thinking I must be missing something (other than a few more brain cells!).

The Common Room / Help with longstanding brickwall.

« on: Sunday 01 September 19 16:35 BST (UK) »

The baptism record for my 2x great grandmother Elizabeth Simon in Moreton Say, Shropshire in 1816 give her parents' names as Mary Simon and Samuel Taylor, although an attempt (obviously not a very good one!) has been made to cross out Samuel's name.

I'd homed in on a Samuel Taylor baptised in nearby Whitchurch, Shrops in 1793 as a likely candidate. However, I've just entered his name on my Ancestry tree and one of those little green leaf/hints came up and has revealed that a Samuel Taylor born in 1793 in Whitchurch enlisted in 1811 (aged 18) in the 19th Dragoon Guards for an unlimited period of service.

Nothing to stop him fathering a child a few years later, perhaps when on home leave, I thought. However, the Ancestry document is headed "Canada, British Regimental Registers of Service 1750-1900" and then "19th Dragoon Guards". So now, I'm wondering where Canada comes into this and does it mean Samuel was most likely not even in the country when the deed was done?!!

FYI - I don't have a world sub with Ancestry, so normally when a Canadian document comes up, I'm unable to view it. So, does this mean it isn't a Canadian doc but a British one?

Help!

How to Use RootsChat (Please don't post requests here) / Have I accidentally stopped email notifications?

« on: Wednesday 28 August 19 17:01 BST (UK) »

I have a vague idea that I might have clicked on the wrong link in a notification email from Rootschat last week and accidentally stopped emails notifying me of replies on threads that I've contributed to.

I can't seem to work out how to reinstate them!

Can anyone please help?

The Common Room / Find My Past

« on: Thursday 22 August 19 17:14 BST (UK) »

Is anyone else having bother with FindMyPast or is it just me?

Its been going on for a week or more - it seems to allow me to do a few searches but then starts coming up with that annoying 500 message (what is it supposed to mean anyway , other than 'that's your lot'?) It tells me I can go back to the previous page (but it won't let me!) or come back later, which is hardly a good advert for their service. If I go back later, I can manage a few more searches and then we have the same all over again.

I will also intermittently click onto one of the search results but be taken instead to their 'come and buy our DNA' page. Its annoying the heck out of me and I'm thinking of asking for my money back!!!