11/17/2024 Unlocking Family Histories: Using Marriage and Divorce Records in Genealogy ResearchRead NowUnlocking Family Histories: Using Marriage and Divorce Records in Genealogy ResearchMarriage and divorce records are vital tools for genealogists, offering a wealth of information that can bridge gaps in family histories and unlock new research avenues. These records do more than simply confirm marital unions and separations; they can reveal insights into family dynamics, economic conditions, social status, and much more. Let's explore the importance of these records, how to access them, and provide detailed examples to show their value in genealogy research. The Importance of Marriage Records in GenealogyMarriage records are among the most valuable documents in genealogy. They typically contain key details such as the names of the bride and groom, their ages, residences, occupations, and sometimes even the names of their parents. This information can provide vital links between generations and help establish timelines and locations for your ancestors. Key Information Found in Marriage Records:
Accessing Marriage Records Marriage records are typically held by local government offices, such as county courthouses or state archives, but they may also be found in church records. Some online databases, like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, MyHeritage, and Findmypast, provide access to a wide range of marriage records. Example: Tracing a Family Line through Marriage Records Consider the case of tracing a maternal line through marriage records. Suppose you are researching your great-great-grandmother, Anna Marie Johnson, whose maiden name you discovered in a census record. To trace her maternal line, you look for her marriage record. You find a record showing that Anna Marie Johnson married John William Smith in 1885 in Cook County, Illinois. The marriage record lists her parents as Lars and Ingrid Johnson, providing you with the names you need to trace back further in Swedish immigration records. The Role of Divorce Records in Genealogy Divorce records, while often overlooked, can be equally valuable in genealogy research. These records can reveal much more than the fact that a marriage ended; they can provide insights into the lives of your ancestors, including economic conditions, social status, and even personal conflicts. Key Information Found in Divorce Records:
Accessing Divorce Records Divorce records are generally held by the same local government offices that hold marriage records. However, access to these records can be more restricted due to privacy concerns. Many states have a waiting period before these records are made public, so you may need to consult specific state laws or request the records directly from the courthouse. Example: Uncovering Family Secrets through Divorce Records Imagine you are researching your grandfather, who had a brief first marriage before marrying your grandmother. Family stories hint at a divorce, but no one knows the details. By accessing the divorce records, you discover that your grandfather divorced his first wife in 1942 in Los Angeles County, citing "desertion" as the cause. The records also reveal that there were no children from the marriage and that your grandfather moved to a different city after the divorce. This new information helps you piece together a more accurate picture of your grandfather's early life and the circumstances that led to his second marriage. Combining Marriage and Divorce Records for a Complete Family Picture Using marriage and divorce records together can help you construct a more complete family history. For instance, by tracking multiple marriages and divorces, you can follow the movement of an ancestor across different states or countries, understand changes in their economic status, and even uncover previously unknown children or step-siblings. Example: Building a Comprehensive Family History Consider the case of Mary Louise Brown, who was married three times. By accessing her marriage records, you discover that she married her first husband, James Taylor, in 1901 in New York. After his death, she remarried in 1915 to Charles Anderson in Ohio, as indicated by another marriage record. A third marriage record shows she married her final husband, Robert Davis, in 1930 in California. Divorce records reveal that her second marriage ended in divorce, with details of the division of their assets and the custody arrangements for their children. These records allow you to trace Mary Louise’s life from New York to Ohio to California, providing a rich, detailed narrative of her life and her family’s history. Conclusion Marriage and divorce records are indispensable tools in genealogy research, offering crucial details that help you build, verify, and expand your family tree. By carefully analyzing these records and using them in conjunction with other sources, you can uncover the stories of your ancestors, understand the social and economic contexts in which they lived, and preserve their legacy for future generations. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or just starting out, these records are keys to unlocking the intricate history of your family. Tips for Using Marriage and Divorce Records in Your Research
By incorporating marriage and divorce records into your genealogy research, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of your family’s past, uncovering stories and connections that might otherwise remain hidden. More Genealogy RecordsLearn about more genealogy records and resources, under the Genealogy Records category and the Genealogy Resources category, along with on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. More Genealogy Research TipsGet more genealogy research tips, under the Genealogy Research Tips category.
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Genealogy often feels like a puzzle, but sometimes it can resemble a mystery novel with unexpected twists and hidden characters. Recently, I encountered another “mystery match” on Ancestry—a previously unknown relative who shared a significant amount of DNA with my 1c2r, while working on organizing her paternal DNA matches (the side we share), yet didn’t quite fit into the known family tree. Here’s how I approached this genealogical mystery and pieced together the clues. 1. A Surprising Match: The First Clue The journey began with a surprising DNA match categorized as “Close Family” by Ancestry. They shared 426 cM of DNA and Ancestry predicted them as a 1st cousin 2x removed, which these centimorgans suggests a relationship in the range of a 1st cousin 1x removed (1c1r), a half grandnephew, a great-great nephew, or a half first cousin (1/2 1c), among others—each intriguing and requiring a closer look to confirm. 2. Tools for Relationship Estimation Using three key tools, Ancestry’s “Frequency of Relationships”, DNA Painter’s Shared cM Project Tool, and MyHeritage’s cM Explainer tool, I analyzed these possible relationships. Both former tools highly suggested the most likely possibilities were Great-Great-Nephew, Half Great-Nephew, 1C1R, Half 1C, Half Great- Uncle, or possibly a Great-Great-Uncle, and the later tool highly suggested 1C1R. But this was just the start—the tools help narrow the field, but genealogy is about testing hypotheses. 3. Shared Matches: Clues from Family Connections I began comparing their shared matches. By cross-referencing these shared matches, I found some links that connected our DNA mystery to known family members who are descendants of her grandparents’ children, thus her father and his siblings—in which two are known to have had extramarital affairs. This provided an important clue: this new match was likely another result of our family’s history of complex relationships. 4. Analyzing cM Comparisons and Mapping Relationships To further test my hypothesis, I reviewed the cM values of known family members who share connections with this mystery match, using not only the Shared Matches tool, but the Shared Matches Pro Tool as well. Comparing cM values from other relatives on this line, I found patterns that suggested a very close family link. Based on their age (if the match is the only associate of the test manager that I found in public records with a name that fits the screen name initials) and likely generation, the match seemed to fit best as a half great-nephew--but identifying exactly where they fit requires more direct evidence, thus more work needs to be done analyzing cM comparisons and mapping relationships for the other 3 possibilities—1C1R, Great-Great-Nephew, or Half 1C. 5. Reaching Out to Potential Relatives The next step was to contact the mystery match’s test manager, as his screen name was just initials. Although the account had been inactive for over a year, I tried reaching out via Ancestry messages and Facebook (after I checked through public records, so I knew who to look for based off age, location, and associates). This is often a waiting game, and not everyone responds, but sometimes, persistence pays off. Every piece of information can make a difference, and connecting with living relatives can clarify lingering questions. 6. Lessons Learned: Tips for Investigating Mystery Matches This mystery match investigation highlighted several useful techniques for anyone facing a similar DNA puzzle:
By following these steps, I’ve gotten closer to understanding how this mystery match fits into our family story. DNA testing is a powerful genealogical tool, but it’s detective work as well. Each match is another chapter in the family’s story—one just waiting to be told. © 2024 Diane Henriks @ Know Who Wears the Genes in Your Family More Genetic Genealogy/DNA ResourcesFind more DNA genealogy resources, tips, and other info under the Genetic Genealogy and DNA category. More Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. More Genealogy Brick Walls and MysteriesFind more genealogy brick wall research, tips, and other info under the Genealogy Brick Wall Research category. More Genealogy Research TipsFind more genealogy research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Americans who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. It is also a great opportunity to explore your own Hispanic ancestry and learn more about your family's origins. How to Start Hispanic Genealogy ResearchIf you are interested in learning more about your Hispanic ancestry and heritage, you might be wondering how to start your genealogy research. Genealogy is the study of family history and origins, and it can help you discover your roots, connect with relatives, and preserve your legacy.
Online Genealogy Sites for Hispanic ResearchSome of the most popular and reliable sites for Hispanic genealogy research are:
Records for Hispanic Genealogy ResearchAnother important aspect of Hispanic genealogy research is to know what types of records are available and how to use them effectively. Some of the most useful records for tracing your Hispanic ancestors are:
By using these online genealogy sites and genealogy records, you can discover more about your Hispanic heritage and connect with your ancestors. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! More Hispanic Genealogy and other Genealogy Resources:
Learn about more Hispanic genealogy research resources, along with other family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. African American Genealogy: Research TipsSearching for your African American ancestors can be quite challenging, to say the least. Here are some basic tips to get you started on your African American genealogy research journey, so you can start climbing your family tree! Steps to researching your African American Ancestors:
African American Genealogy Research Tips:
More Genealogy Resources: Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. Top 5 Genealogy Brick Wall Busters We’ve all been there; there always seems to be that one ancestor (or many) whose records run dry and that just seem to fall off the face of the earth in one’s family tree. What do you do when you come across the dreaded genealogy brick wall? Do you get frustrated? Do you spend tons of money on possible records and professional research help? Do you start searching aimlessly? Do your brick walls seem to last for years on end? Your brick walls may not really be brick walls at all; it may be HOW you search, that you’re missing key clues, and that you’re not using ALL your resources. I have quite a few “brick wall" busters, but these are my top 5 tried and true ways of breaking through them. 1. Descendancy Research
2. Collateral Research
3. No Name Search
4. DNA
5. Think Outside the Box
More Genealogy Tips: Find more brick wall tips under the Genealogy Brick Wall Cases category, research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category, and quick tips under the Genealogy Quick Tips category! *Best of the Genea-Blogs Adoption or Unknown Parentage Research Using Genealogy+DNA: Searching without Any Information Traditional Genealogy + DNA + Descendancy Research + Living People Search + a Whole Lot More
After 7 days of extensive research and DNA mapping on a new case, I was able to narrow my non-legally adopted client's biological father down to 2 brothers, and on day 8, I had found one child (out of many) of the 2 brothers willing to take a DNA test to confirm which of the 2 brothers it is. She excitedly agreed to test to see if she has a newly found brother or 1st cousin! There is a lead on his biological mother (narrowed down to one line) with a possible birth certificate number, but getting that certificate, when you can't show proof it's yours or how you're related, is a whole other story. This recent unknown parentage case, out of many, has brought me to share part of the methodology I use. These are just guidelines and some tips for adoptive research that combine DNA and traditional genealogy with my “Uncovered Roots Method” DNA Research; descendancy research; living people search; and a WHOLE lot more, but this is in no way the full process that I use. 😉 These tips can be used in adoptive research or anyone looking for an unknown biological parent or other relative. 😉 Sometimes you may find your parent or other relative with this method, and sometimes you may just get down to a particular family or family line. 😉 Steps to Adoption or Unknown Parentage Research if No Information:
Other Tips: Have you tried a "no name search" in the areas where you suspect you were born, with just your birthdate? Interactive Questions: Are you adopted or did you grow up with just one known parent and are looking for a biological parent? Have you reached a genealogy brick wall for a particular ancestor or relative? Have you tried these tips to find a parent, ancestor, or any other relative? I’d love to hear your comments below in the comment section! More Genealogy Resources: Learn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page! More Genealogy Research Tips: Get more family history and genealogy research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category and on my dedicated Genealogy Research Tips page! More DNA + Genealogy Tips: Get more DNA + genealogy research tips under the DNA Simplified category! More Genealogy Brick Wall Tips: Get more genealogy Brick Wall research tips under the Genealogy Brick Wall Cases category! Genealogy + DNA Coaching: Are you adopted or have an unknown parent and need help figuring out your DNA match’s or where to start, but want to research on your own? I offer private, one-on-one family history and genealogy coaching services! Genealogy + DNA Research Services: Are you adopted or have an unknown parent and need to hire a genealogist to find a biological parent or birth family? I offer my “Uncovered Roots Method” DNA Research Service for just that! This post is a participant in The Genealogy Blog Party: November! The Best of the Genea-Blogs A Whirlwind of Searching the 1950 Census Digital Images!Well, the release day of the 1950 census on April 1st was definitely a whirlwind to say the least! It’s a good thing that it was the first day of my spring break, because I spent the entire day (about 16 hours) searching for my family! Then I was at again the next day! 2 days was my cap, haha! I figured if I couldn’t find who I was looking for manually, then they were most likely not on the census. Just as many of you have done, I had created a list of who I wanted to find first in the 1950 Census. After I had already made my list, which took quite a while, MyHeritage came out with a super cool new 1950 Census tool, called Census Helper, that does all the work for you (if you have a tree on MyHeritage 😉)! Using the 1950 Census Distict Finder Tool from Ancestry to Search the 1950 Census Digital Images: With the 1950 Census district finder tool from Ancestry, that I spoke about last, in Get Ready for the 1950 Census with New Updates and FREE Cool Helps from Ancestry, I was able to find anyone I had an address for, right away! When it came time to search for anyone with just a city with their tool, it just took a little more effort. Using NARA to Search the 1950 Census Digital Images: That’s when I went to NARA (National Archives) and used their tool. With NARA you also are able to search for a name with their 1950 Census Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning index. Don’t confuse it with the standard searchable index that you’re used to though. The AI was better at getting some names more than others, and remember if you search for a last name, it will only be attached to the head of household. I found it much more concise with first names. If you only have a city and name, you will have to look through quite a few digital images. If you only have a county and name, then you will most likely be searching through tons of images! I also used this tool in conjunction with Ancestry’s 1950 Census district finder; it helped to narrow things down, especially when I had to search counties and sometimes just states. I was able to view other counties around the area of the city and county they should have been in, by finding the enumeration districts of all the areas close by, then plugging them into NARA with names, sometimes just a first name in case the AI couldn’t decipher the last name. Using MyHeritage to Search the 1950 Census Digital Images: AT some points, I also took the info from Ancestry’s ED district finder and NARA’s AI/ML searchable by name index and headed on over to MyHeritage to search. I found that MyHeritage had everything much more organized and laid out for me, minus the other’s tools. I also thought their digital image viewing was much easier to see and use. Using FamilySearch to Search the 1950 Census Digital Images: FamilySearch also has the 1950 Census digital images available! Although Family Search is usually my first choice for accessing online records, I just didn’t need to access it with the other 3 already being used in conjunction. I did realize that the most difficult family/ancestors to find were the ones that weren’t where they should have been or moved around A LOT. Of course, for these ones I had to go back into my tree and search for more directories; more of their family members in directories; more marriages, births, and deaths for any of their family members around that time; and more, so that I could get their addresses as close to 1950 as possible. I eventually found everyone I wanted in the 2 days I had searched, except for my mom and her mom, and one great grandfather. I’m not sure why I can’t find my great grandfather, as I know from directories and other documents of the city he was living in, but for my mom and her mom, I think they just slipped the census. Her mom was an unwed teenager at the time, with my mom being 1 1/2. I know where my mom was born, I searched all family members (painstakingly), and she was with none of them. I searched my mom’s stepfather, who her mom had married just a few weeks later, and she was not with him. I then searched ALL the areas around him, then the entire county, then the state. They are no where to be found, as of yet. 😉 Note (4-7-22): As of today, the states of Wyoming and Delaware are fully searchable in the 1950 Census! Interactive Questions: Did you search the 1950 Census for your family on release day? What sites or tools did you use to search through the 1950 Census digital images? Did you prep beforehand with a list of relatives you were going to search for? Were you able to find everyone you had hoped to find? Let me know how it went or ask me any questions, below in the comments! More Genealogy Resources: Find other useful genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page! More Genealogy Records: Find my other posts on the U.S. Census records under the Genealogy Records category! Update (4-8-22): As of today, Vermont and American Samoa are fully searchable! Update (4-12-22): As of today, Alaska, New Hampshire, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are fully searchable! This post is a participant in the Genealogy Blog Party! Related 1950 Census content that may be of interest: Continued from Part 6 Continue with me in part 7, my final part, of my genetic genealogy journey of a temporary brick wall for yet another new DNA mystery match that had just showed up, when I already know all the descendants in that line! I left off last, in Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 6, with it being narrowed down even further. I had ended up with my match having a higher possibility of being my grandfather’s great grandchild or my great uncle’s great grandchild. Let’s check my uncle’s cMs matched to the mystery match for another perspective. If I use the same method I used on my own cMs to narrow down the possible relations that I used in Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 5 and Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 6, by eliminating what is not practical against my Uncle’s centimorgans matched to him, the possibilities are: 1c2r, 1c1r, ½ great- nephew. The histogram findings in the DNA Painter Shared cM Tool are: 1c2r (highest on histograms) ...his uncle’s (aka my great uncle) great grandchild??? Even though this wasn’t necessary, this narrowed it down even more for me! It always helps by getting rid of another generation to deal with. 😉 I now have one possible relationship to work with! In summary, I am now confident that my match is my 2c1r and my uncle’s 1c2r (my great uncle’s/my uncle’s uncle’s great-great grandchild). There are also no other unknown/mystery matches matched to my mystery match as of yet. Even though we would have the same shared matches of course, it is easier to see them from his shared matches with me, as opposed to my thousands of shared matches to that line, since he is only half related to that line. Oh my gosh, I finally got a working number for my matches mom, near the end of this second day on this! I’m going to call now and get back to you all! I called my match’s mom and spoke to her for a while. I made sure to ask pertinent questions to see which of my match’s 4 grandparents could be my great uncle’s child. I asked if she had tested, and she said she had. Since his mom said she had tested, and I know I am not a match to her, her 2 lines/my match’s 2 maternal grandparents are out. That now leaves me with 2 possible children for my great uncle, one of either of my match’s paternal grandparents. I asked if her husband looked more like his father or his mother, and she stated that he looked just like his father; my matches father does not really resemble my great uncle or our family. I was hoping to get a photo of her husband’s parents (my match’s paternal grandparents and one being the probable child of my great uncle), but she said she didn’t have access to any pictures right now, as she had just moved. Hmmmmmmmm, my match’s paternal grandmother’s mother was in Sedgwick County, KS at the time her daughter (my match’s paternal grandmother) was born in 1930. My great uncle was also in Sedgwick County, KS at that time. My match’s paternal grandmother’s mother was also married only a little less than 5 months before the birth of her daughter (my match’s paternal grandmother). My match’s paternal grandfather’s mother was in Cloud County, KS, just four counties over, at the time her son (my match’s paternal grandfather) was born. She had just married her husband within the year of her son’s birth; although, I have not gotten their marriage record yet. It’s very interesting that her son, my match’s paternal grandfather, is named Donald, the same name as my great uncle. I also finally got a working number for my match’s uncle, and I called. I was hoping for a photo of his parents, but he had asked how he was supposed to do that, more in a not willing sort of way. He seemed a little upset with the information presented to him, but I got the feeling that he wasn’t necessarily surprised. He then said he wanted to end the conversation and was not interested in it anymore. I am hoping that one day I can get a photo of my match’s paternal grandparents, along with his paternal grandfather’s mother’s marriage record, not that a child can’t come about while married to someone else. 😉 I am also hoping that my match will be willing to speak to me about his matches, and let me view them, as I would be able to confirm it by HIS shared matches. His mother said she would give him my number, not to mention I left him a message on Ancestry (that has been viewed) and Facebook, with no response. ☹ Well, here it is, after discovering my match 2 days ago: In summary, I find it very interesting that my match’s paternal grandfather was named Donald, the same name as that of my great uncle, but I strongly believe his paternal grandmother is my great uncle’s child. She was born in the exact area where my great uncle was at the time, and her mother didn’t marry until she was almost 5 months pregnant with her. I will not know for certain until I can compare pictures, and until my match is willing to respond to me and hopefully lets me view his matches. 😊 To follow this story from the beginning, you can find the links below: Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 1 Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 2 Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 3 Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 4 Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 5 Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 6 Find more research tips under the category Genealogy Research Tips, brick wall tips under the Genealogy Brick Wall Cases category, and DNA tips under the DNA Simplified category. I'd love to read your comments! My older site theme does not support the "Leave a Reply" field labels; if you'd like to leave a comment on a blog, the fields are: Name, Email, Site (if you'd like), and Comment, the standard fields 😉 ←Back to Genealogy Research Tips Page This post is a participant in the Genealogy Blog Party! Other related genealogy brick wall research cases that may be of interest: Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 6Continued from Part 5 My genetic genealogy journey of a temporary genealogy brick wall for yet another new DNA mystery match relative that had just showed up, when I already know all the descendants in that line, continues with Part 6. While still trying to get working numbers for my match and his mom, I left off last in Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 5 by narrowing down my possible match relationships in DNA Painter, using deductive reasoning. I used the DNA Painter Shared cM Tool and their relationship histogram charts. Compare Relationships against Dates and Places, Again: Now it’s time to narrow down my deductions even more, by comparing the possible relationships left against dates and places!
I am going to eliminate his sisters, as it would have been obvious if they were pregnant. By building my own quick tree for my match's lines, where I only had his father and "Private" mother to go off of, which I talked about in Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 3 and Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 4, I had found the following:
This info is based off no one being adopted, etc. No matter what, he (my mystery match) is descended from my grandfather or his sibling, most likely his brother… More Centimorgan Relationship Elimination: Now I just need to work with the last possible centimorgan relationships that I had narrowed it down to, with my new findings. In Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 5, I had narrowed it down to 2c, ½ 1c1r, 2c1r (and a possible 1c2r from the histograms in the DNA Painter Shared cM Tool).
So, in short, I am now left with my match having a higher possibly of being my grandfather’s great grandchild, or my great uncle’s great grandchild. Stay tuned for more in Part 7 where I wrap things up, and see how my mystery match is related! 😊 Interactive Questions: Are you making sure to compare your DNA match relationships against dates and places to help break down brick walls? Are you weeding out as many of those centimorgan relationships that you can? Let me know in the comments below! Update, December 25, 2021: Part 7, the final part in this solving a DNA mystery match series, is now here!: Genealogy Brick wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 7 Follow This Story from the Beginning: Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 1 More DNA and Genealogy Research Tips and Resources: Find more research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category, brick wall tips under the Genealogy Brick Wall Cases category, and DNA/genetic genealogy tips under the DNA Simplified category. You can also find some DNA research resources, to help you in your research, on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. Other related genealogy brick wall research cases that may be of interest: Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 5Continued from Part 4 Continue with me on my genetic genealogy journey of a temporary brick wall for yet another new DNA mystery match that had just showed up when I already know all the descendants in that line, from Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 4! I left off last by working a bit on his parents’ lines just to gather the info I needed to see which of the lines was the connection, while waiting on working numbers, then comparing yearbook photos of his parents and their siblings to my grandfather and his siblings, to no avail. I had worked a total of two hours on my case already and decided to stop and continue the next day. Good morning! Okay, time to get going on this and try to finish up. I’m going to need a pumpkin chai latte for this! Regular tea just won’t cut it this morning; I need something special to help me focus better and get this figured out! 😉 More Centimorgan Relationship Elimination: Back to the Centimorgan relationships: I’ve got to make sure I take out every possible matched centimorgan relationship in DNA Painter that is not directly descended from my grandfather or one of his siblings because my match has matches to my grandfather’s paternal and maternal lines; therefore, he has to be descended from my grandfather or one of his siblings. Anything above my grandfather’s generation is now out, otherwise my DNA match would only be matched with my grandfather’s paternal line matches, or my grandfather’s maternal line matches, not both. All the possible match relationships of my match being descended from a possible half sibling to my grandfather are also out, for same reason as above. After discovering my match’s and parents’ ages, anything above my generation is also out. I now just need to focus on my match being in my generation and one generation below, with a smaller possibility of being 2 generations below. I am now left with: ½ 1c, ½ 1c1r, ½ 1 c2r, 1c1r, 1c2r, 2c, 2c1r, and 2c2r (½ g niece/nephew not possible). If I also go with the higher probable percentages, then I only have 2c, ½ 1c1r, 1c2r, 2c1r, ½ 1c2r left to work with. If I focus on my generation and the generation below only (going off my match’s and his parents' ages), then I’m left only with 2c, ½ 1c1r, 2c1r. This narrows it down significantly. If I check those relationships with the histograms in the DNA Painter Shared cM Tool, there is more of a chance of my match being my 2c, ½ 1c1r (and 1c2r if I go as far as another generation below), but this is just a guide only. Now I need to work with these findings, along with dates and places of my grandfather and his siblings, compared against the same information needed from my match’s lines. Wow, who knew what a special pumpkin chai latte could accomplish! 😉 Stay tuned for more in Part 6 where I get down to the nitty gritty, and see what I deduce by these comparisons! 😊 Interactive Questions: Have you used DNA Painter Shared cM Tool in your DNA research to help break down brick walls? Let me know in the comments below! Update, December 12, 2021: Part 6 is now here!: Genealogy Brick wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 6 Follow This Story from the Beginning: Genealogy Brick Wall: Another New DNA Mystery Match-Part 1 More DNA and Genealogy Research Tips and Resources: Find more research tips under the Genealogy Research Tips category, brick wall tips under the Genealogy Brick Wall Cases category, and DNA/genetic genealogy tips under the DNA Simplified category. You can also find some DNA research resources, to help you in your research, on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page. Below you'll find some other genealogy brick wall research cases that may be of interest: |
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