A DNA coincidence?

[Redroger]

The big list of DNA matches came through from FTDNA with over 2,000 matches of varying degrees. I had never yet had a match on my own surname until now. There was a lady who had a 61cm match with me. As a result I emailed a person who has my surname in the same area. Result she is the ex wife of his son. So the DNA link is either through my mother's side, or my father's maternal side. Quite coincidental I think.

[Rosinish]

It could also be, they have children & she's managing one of their DNA results or another relative of theirs connected?

Annie

[Redroger]

No, there are no children to the dissolved marriage, the management is possible but I think unlikely thanks.

[JohnDoe2020]

Good Morning. Maybe not as coincidental as you might think. Depending on origin and time period, but quite common everywhere including the US, many families intermarried within the same community family groups. Many families married first cousins. Depending on your time horizon, you might see the same surnames marrying over two hundred years or more so it is possible the connection is elsewhere. Use DNA Painter (free) to input the cm and it will provide the probability of specific relationships. These are all generationally dependent. If this lady is your age, she can't be your GG Grandmother.

[Redroger]

At a guess she will be at least 50 years younger than me. Her former father in law is almost 10 years younger.
Thanks for the tip.