AncestryDNA Cousin Matches: Next Steps

[@RandHall]

One of the best and most practical examples I've seen!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Rand Hall

[@paulbaltzer4745]

Great example!

[@forstar3943]

Thank you so much for this video. Unfortunately, my closest DNA match is 4th cousin.My grandmother from Scotland was listed as illegitimate on her birth certificate as was her older sister. I had given up the thought of ever finding my great grandfather until I watched this segment. It inspired me to research the Sheriff Court Decrees in Scotland and I found evidence of my great grandmother taking the two different fathers to court for support. So I now have his name after 10 years of fruitless research. Can’t thank you enough for this!

[@GenealogyTV]

Oh fantastic. Sorry for the delayed response. Your message had a web address linked in it, so it was held for review. Glad you found what you were looking for.

[@Cyberlucy]

One of the things I think is so great about this video is the use of a case study. It makes the concept you are teaching so much clearer.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michellebarlondsmith6243]

both my husband and I are adoptees ... I found my 1/2 siblings quickly but on his I only have cousins and am building trees from cousin matches ... thanks for the tutorial ... genealogists in the future will be lucky that their ancestors only had 2.5 kids ... as his family has multiple 12 and 14 kids ... bless them...

[@GenealogyTV]

I wish you luck in your journey.

[@michellebarlondsmith6243]

@@GenealogyTV it's been interesting ...I found 6 maybe 7 or 8 1/2 siblings but he apparently is going to be more of a challenge ..

[@lightyagami3492]

That only applies if they aren't adoptees. If they are and both sides of their unknown biological family had small families the amount of matches you would get would be really small if not non existent.

[@patricianazareth7351]

Excellent tutorial and guides for 'missing' Ancestors during that time period! I have one in Keighley England I need to start working on soon..Thanks as always for the great video..Tip I have found very helpful regarding my 'floating' research branches..use a custom tree tag (I use 'floating branch')for the main person/couple... It makes it so easy to see all your research branches at a glance...without having to search for individual names!! Tip I found in a FB group post..works well!!

[@GenealogyTV]

Great Tip! I may share that one.

[@heatherweatherholt]

Noticed some familiar surnames on one of your tree examples. Going to have to take a screenshot and see if I can find a connection.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yeah... I get that a lot. Amazing how many connections I've made from people recognizing ancestors in my tree.

[@joandevillier733]

Thank you SO much! I have a similar situation with my maternal grandfather’s missing father. So grateful for DNA testing. Hopefully I’ll narrow down the right great-grandfather!

[@GenealogyTV]

Enjoy the journey.

[@rebeccas_language]

That video was so very useful!! I'm trying to figure out how to verify my DNA matches further back through the generations. I've got fabulous paper trails of my ancestors going back well into the 1500s. This video was extremely informative!! I don't quite understand but I'll watch the video again and take notes.

[@RoyPounsford]

Now I understanding floating tree, which I have by missed taken. Thank you

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arlindanelson7928]

I loved this presentation. Thank you Connie for taking the time to share your brick wall with us, along with steps to prove or disprove the problem. I was able to follow right along with the slides and understand what you were saying.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the feedback... that helps.

[@kdv5282]

My brick wall is very similar to yours so I was totally fascinated with this video! My suspected great great grandfather was one of 5 siblings. Luckily I have DNM matches from four of those lines. But the suspected man had two other children, younger than my great grandfather, and both died at an early age. Like you, I need to turn over every rock to make the best case possible. Thanks for making this. I now know I am on the right path.

[@GenealogyTV]

Excellent. Thanks for the comment.

[@tammyhoward777]

Fascinating! Wish my brain could wrap around this procedure. I did DNA to confirm my maternal grandfather. I now suspect the possibility of my blood Grandfather possibly being related to my step grandfather. Was raised believing step was blood grandfather.

[@TimTheHermit]

Very fascinating, and really appreciate how thorough you are. Great advice for us all regarding "working as hard to disprove, as well as prove". Thank you for all that you do!

[@GenealogyTV]

My pleasure! Thanks for the feedback. That was helpful.

[@erinprice9783]

Thank you for this very visual step by step. And thank you for the emoji tip! So freaking helpful!!!!

[@GenealogyTV]

You are so freaking welcome! :P

[@adamm6320]

Great Video! I have most brick walls on my maternal grandparents and paternal grandfather’s because they come from early 20th Century Immigrants! But I have been able to find out more through cousin matches and even finding a cousin (not through DNA) in Poland!

[@rayclark6596]

From a fellow tarheel, my family is all over Orange County, Chatham and Randolph Co. Are you using MyHertage, FTDNA and GEDmatch? Triangulations to specific Chr locations will help. But mostly their gene pool will add new data. All 5 brothers, and even their father are difficult to eliminate as suspects. It's kinda like, both yDNA and atDNA can "include" you but it can't "exclude" you. You mentioned the war, you should see who was where in April of 1861? Connie, we love your show. This is by far the best genealogy program that I have found.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Ray. That means a lot. I worked really hard at it. Appreciate the comments.

[@watercraze2000]

I have this same problem exactly. Iam glad you shared this thanks so much.

[@NX4rider]

Am a new subscriber. I appreciate the step by step advice you give. Am learning quite a bit from the channel. Thank you.

[@GenealogyTV]

Awesome, thank you! Thanks for subscribing!

[@LindyFordNutritionWellness]

Hey Connie, Loved this information. I am missing info about a great grandparent. . . I'm sending this to my cousins who are trying to find more info. . .thank you!! lindy

[@cathytitlow7804]

Thank you for this video. It was extremely helpful at researching stumbling blocks.

[@nana-wz9il]

This was very helpful Connie. I have recently been told that my 5th great grandfather is probably, maybe incorrect. I couldn't figure out how to use the dna matches to help me figure it out and I had all these thruline matches. I'm going back to my matchlist and start digging.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful! Start with the cousin matches and ignore the Thrulines until you understand how it works. If you have not seen it, watch my episode Thrulines Explained...here... kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWavc2OnmN9qhs0

[@WellsyBRNC]

Excellent, Connie! Thank you! 💐

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks

[@familyhistorydiva7937]

I have a missing great-grandfather so I am in a similar situation. I'm currently waiting on my uncle to get back his Y-DNA test. I would love to finally know the surname!

[@GenealogyTV]

I can certainly appreciate that.

[@ninpobudo3876]

@@GenealogyTV Hello ma'am I've been at a brick wall for over 3 years, and I have a thurline which appears to be very accurate. However, I don't know my dad's grandmother family history/family info. I really need your help, and I really feel like giving up. If you're willing to help how do I get in contact with you?

[@mtamorphis]

This was the best explanation of how to use DNA in your research. To the point, and simple to understand. Thank you 😊

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@stitchengramie]

In my family there is a brother of a brother who married his wife after his brother died. So the child still had the same last name.

[@GenealogyTV]

Interesting.

[@Dee-uy3tx]

This very informative I love it and my hubbys name is Morgan. Love learning about Centimorgans

[@carlaephotography7096]

Thank you, Connie, this was very informative! I have two mysteries I am researching. One is my GG-Grandmother. Thru lines is no help as too many folks have added a woman as her, since her name, state and husbands first name were the same, but I took your advice to not blindly accept her. I disproved the one most added to their trees, by researching thoroughly the census records. My ancestor was from a county north of the other woman and her family. But I can’t get others to remove her from their trees. So ThruLines shows me be related to the wrong person. The other mystery is two of my aunts are only half siblings to others. Found this out through DNA of my cousins. Now we are trying to figure out who the father was to these two aunts. I too, have only discovered so far the last name of the man who our grandmother had an affair with. He has two brothers. But as I was watching your video, I am hoping I can eliminate, or prove who, by their locations at time my grandmother conceived. Thank you again, as you have taught me so much, I am researching most everyday my family lineage. Though have to admit, at times I have went down rabbit holes, and have to remind myself to get back to actual line….lol! Hope you discover The Who’s you are searching for!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Carla. I too go down rabbit holes once in a while. :)

[@lindavies9948]

Very interesting and well-explained, thank-you!

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful!

[@DanSolo871]

I recently used WATO for a presumed 3c to determine our connection. I narrowed it down also to one great grand uncle to me and great grandfather to him. Three of his sons were placed into a hypothesis where One was five years older than the presumed grandmother. Another was less than a year in age from grandmother. Third was about two years younger. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the three had descendants to present day to see if we can obtain DNA from. Especially the one I lean towards, the brother who was the same age as the grandmother, because he died the year the grandmother had her child.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes... sometimes with DNA it is a waiting game for a new match. I had one client I waited for 2 years for a new cousin match to pop up that helps solve the mystery.

[@chantalhill9268]

Sometimes the family lore(secrets can be passed down and you might get lucky if the mother's mother had ever known..) This actually happened to me in my own paternal search!

[@joankeller9973]

Thank you, Finally, I have a plan of research using Ancestry to possible find my 4th great-grandfather.

[@karlasonnenberg]

Great video, Connie! I work on many cases which include similar mysteries and it always gives me new perspective to someone else work the DNA & trees together. Your visuals are top notch for this visual learner. Could you share what process/program you used to make the family tree graphics you used at the end of the video?

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Karla. My late husband created that in After Effects several years ago. Its a quite complex program. We’re both video professionals for our entire careers.

[@no1975]

Exactly just like my last name ,one thing I have found some people like to copy my information, without proof, then he very rude telling me I should do a DNA or quit wasting my money. I've been researching for along time enjoy people like this I do not need.

[@TravelingBibliophile]

I am in a similar situation with trying to discover who my Gr.Grandfather is. Through the use of Ancestry DNA I have determined that it is 1 of 5 possible brothers (technically there are 8 brothers but 3 were under 15 when my 25yr old Gr. Grandmother fell pregnant with my grandfather so I have eliminated them from the running at this point). I am pretty certain that I have found the line because that family line matches me but doesn’t match any of my dad’s other lines (my grandfather’s maternal relatives, and my father’s maternal relatives~ those two lines of actually intermarried) which have taken the test. The daughter, of the brother that I think is most likely the father eventually married someone else, looks almost identical to my grandfather and his sister,. As my father is deceased I am going to ask the only other direct male descendant from his side to help me prove/disprove the hypothesis by taking a Y DNA test.

[@GenealogyTV]

Good luck. I hope you can figure it out.

[@louannscott8673]

I love Quaker Records..... Lots available thru Earlham College online Library ❤❤

[@checle4499]

Very good video and explanation, as usual. I have a similar brick wall with my mother's father. I have a family name now and I am pretty sure I know who her grandfather was - but which one of his sons? And then there are the high DNA matches who just will not answer respond to messages, nor build out their tree. As you acknowledge - we may never know.

[@GenealogyTV]

I can appreciate that.

[@johnfrazer7612]

What a great video. My situation virtually mirrors yours in that I also have a number of brothers who could be father of my great grandfather. Through DNA matches I know I have the right family, but which one of the brothers is the father is the mystery! Thanks

[@PurpleRainXLI]

Yes, confusing, need to watch again but so interesting! I am kinda in the same boat, 2 dif men could be my Grt grandfather, shows both in trees & lots of info on both! Still confusing but fun trying to find out who it is.

[@GenealogyTV]

Exactly! It can be confusing but it's solving a real mystery which makes it all the more fun.

[@diannecaron164]

Excellent tutorial! Thank you very much!

[@GenealogyTV]

You're very welcome!

[@ianfinlayAustralia]

very informative, love the emoji suffix

[@veronicalevin2325]

That was truly fascinating

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Veronica.

[@WellsyBRNC]

Connie, you are so delightful! Thanks for all you do! 🌷💞💐

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Pamela. That was very sweet. Love the flowers.

[@becca7455.]

Thank you, I have never seen bastard records. Where and how do you find them? Also which states and years are they available?

[@GenealogyTV]

They were common in the 1800's and I'm only familiar with them in North Carolina. However, to the best of my understanding, they originated in England so I would not be surprised if you don't find them in other states.

[@GenealogyTV]

Sometimes they are called illegitimate child registries.

[@katismith]

That was very in depth. It reminded me of some genealogy avenues that I've neglected since tech came about. If you ever figure out Gus's dad, you'll have to give us an update.

[@GenealogyTV]

Well... I may never figure it out. DNA tells me that it is Joel Davis Jr., but records show he had moved out of state. Other records (Bastardy Bonds) show his brother Joshua Davis is the likely father, but I'd need to do a ton of DNA and traditional research to conclude this. Either way... it is for sure one of the brothers... so I can continue to climb the tree with their father and so on.

[@quiltingtangent459]

Micajah and Jesse both are old enough to have grown sons that could be your Great grandfather.

[@GenealogyTV]

Good point!

[@lightyagami3492]

That was a thought that crossed my mind to.

[@epeterson443]

Did you try What Are the Odds? If so did it help you narrow down your search?

[@GenealogyTV]

I did... but I'm not an expert at the WATO tool... yet!

[@paulbaltzer4745]

Use Version 2 of WATO since you have a GEDCOM to upload and rough birth year. It will automatically generate multiple hypothesis for you.

[@BarbGressel]

Connie, this has been VERY helpful. I am working on a similar issue with an ancestor on Thrulines that I have always felt was incorrect and didn't put in my tree but I am finding dna matches. So, I am researching the matches tree. It is very time-consuming.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful! Yes it is time consuming. Start with your closest matches, to cut down on the time issue. There is no doubt it is work sometimes... but it's the happy dance when you figure it out.

[@bv2858]

Are the bastardy bonds in every state? Great video. Will have to watch several times.

[@GenealogyTV]

Good question... so I went to FamilySearch.com/wiki to find out. There were lots of pages, but North Carolina seemed to be at the top, but also from PA and England... pages and pages. I suggest you go to the wiki and search your state specific for Bastardy Bonds.

[@bv2858]

@@GenealogyTV Thank you. I need to get in the habit of checking wiki.

[@catherinebeaudoin311]

Wow that is great help. I am in a similar boat to yours and your method is actually pretty helpful!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Catherine.

[@JamesBowman-g4k]

I had 9 brothers plus two more generations forward to research that yielded two possible grandsons who by the way had identical names and within two year being born the same year.. The answer as to which one was my line lay in the grandmother's maiden name. In over a 100,000 cousin names provided by Ancestry, I had tons of cousins by one of the grandmother's maiden names and almost none on the other grandmother's maiden name.

[@DGKED-td7mf]

I have been trying to do something this . But I'm looking for a 2 x great grandma . I was looking on your link to get coaching but couldn't figure it out.

[@GenealogyTV]

Hi. Virtual Private Coaching information here. genealogytv.org/virtual-private-coaching/

[@DGKED-td7mf]

@@GenealogyTV Thank You

[@sharontabor7718]

Don't discount a father based on the age difference. My grandmother's grandfather b. 1846 was illegitimate. His mother was 16 when he was born. After 50+ years of research by multiple descendants, DNA discovered the father, and the definitive clue was the DNA connections to the children of his second marriage. His first wife died in 1842, leaving 1 child. While married to his second wife (5 children), he was visiting his former sister-in-law, having 1 or more children with her while having children with his wife. He was 15 years older than the child's mother.

[@davidk4869]

What do you recommend doing with common ancestors of 3rd, 4th or even 5th great grandparents sine ancestry only allows 24 groups? (Enough for 2 grandparents, 4 ggparents, 8 2nd grandparents= 14 groups- 10 left. Not enough left for all 16 3rd ggparents or any 4th or 5th.

[@GenealogyTV]

I recommend you watch this video about grouping your DNA matches, kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6O6eYx5gc-drq8 first and then this video that was the follow up to that one kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4CqkqWMmN1_iLM

[@davidk4869]

Thank you for the reply Connie. Maybe I didn’t word my question well. My challenge is 24 groups is not enough. I had already watched all your videos on cousin grouping - they are excellent. I followed them and have color coded most of my matches and already broke down one 20 year old brick wall. I just watched these two videos again but I’m not finding the answer. At about the 9 minute mark you indicate as you build out your tree you can create groups beyond 2nd great grandparents. The problem is there aren’t enough colors /groups left.

[@rayclark6596]

At 7:23 you say that yDNA can only be taken at FTDNA. But there is a cheaper alternative from a very reliable source. YSEQ.com is run by Thomas and Astrid Krahn and provides the same level of quality testing for less money. They designed the original y DNA test for FTDNA and provide an excellent affordable testing alternative right here in the US.

[@GenealogyTV]

You're right. I had forgotten about YSEQ. I've not used them before, so it was not top of mind.

[@CRSDelta]

Thank you very much. This is very helpful and along the lines of what I do to identify European ancestors. Another question. I really like the way you presented your work. I am looking for a nice way to draw out relationships. I want to do this on a computer because my handwriting is atrocious. Will you share the name of the tool you used for this demonstration? thanks

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes, absolutely. I think what you're referring to is the whiteboard... and it's called Whiteboard... it is a Windows product. I first used it on my Surface Pro tablet... but had to download it from the Windows app store (free) for my desktop. It does not work quite the same on the desktop as on the tablet.

[@wandagreer9144]

@@GenealogyTV - Once upon a time, Windows had a Sticky Note program. It worked well and I still have it on my Windows 7 computer. Wish they'd bring this back. Very useful.

[@debbiezipoli3768]

The previous video was a bit confusing, I will definitely rewatch it, this one was helpful. My mom's full-blood brother "H" came up as a DNA 1st-2nd cousin instead of an uncle for my cousin (daughter of my mom's half-brother "J"). I tried to explain because they have different fathers but she insists Uncle H is not our grandmother's kid regardless of a birth certificate and the fact that Uncle H looks so much like two of his half-brothers from his & my mom's father. I told her to try to get her surviving brother to do a Y-chromosone DNA test and focus on that line only.

[@GenealogyTV]

Good point. The DNA will tell the story.

[@sundownsigns]

A fascinating analysis!

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you

[@sundownsigns]

@@GenealogyTV I just discovered your channel yesterday. Some of my mother's family came to Missouri from Randolph County, NC, the Hinshaw's and others.

[@barbarah5756]

Connie, I was following this up from the first part of the same video. This is extremely important as well as the first one. One suggestion I have is that I noticed recently you can match members of the same individual families by being sure to document their burial place/cemetery. This has frequently helped me group together members of similar families, especially Smiths.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes!

[@verycrabby61]

Thanks for the video. What is the best way to document the SOURCES for DNA results in a report? Footnote standards? Complete description in the text of the report? Graphic representations comparing multiple kits? Spreadsheets/tables?

[@GenealogyTV]

I recommend that you create a separate report. I use Excel often to show comparisons between DNA Cousins. Then summarize in your research notes. See if this video gives you some ideas. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o53dcqKfrLiKf6c

[@PaulaTalbert]

I was watching this video when I noticed in the tree you showed about minute 34, the name John James Norris [my father's surname is NORRIS], double checked my database and it seems John James Norris is my half 1st cousin 4 times removed.

[@GenealogyTV]

Well... they say that we're all ultimately related. Amazing how many people see their relatives in my videos. :) Happy Holidays!

[@shannonrussell6436]

@@GenealogyTV Hi. I'm related to the Norris family as well. My great- grandmother was a Maude Norris.

[@StokesCheri]

Hey Connie, I know this is 2 yrs old now and I've watched other videos on your Exum theory, but I was wondering if you've connected Peninah & Joel to Gus in your main tree? I'm also working on a GG-Grandparent brick wall and the majority of my matches (68 which are known descendants) are through 2 brothers, so I've connected my G-Grandmother using _____ REED to the parents of these 2 brothers. Many, many years ago I attached the census (& parents) everyone thought was our great-grandma to my tree and lots of descendants copied that info. I've since proven that the two women with the same names where different women that lived in different places with different spouses/children but the errors live on. However... to this day if I attach that woman's parents to my great-grandma I'll still get "DNA matches" even though I can't find one single link to that man in AR and her supposed grandparents in TN! BEWARE THRULINES everyone!!!! I'm convinced her mother was a DAVIS, JOHNSON or TIPTON (or at least these names are in her ancestry) and I've got a HENLEY connection too, so we may turn out to be distantly related one day. 😉

[@GenealogyTV]

DNA strongly suggests that Joel Davis Jr. is the father of Gus. Joel Davis Sr. and Peninah Newby are Gus's grandparents for sure using multiple DNA cousin matches. The question becomes which of their boys is the father of Gus? The strongest DNA says it is Joel Davis Jr... but he had moved to Iowa by the time Gus was conceived, but still had family in NC. So could he have come home to visit family and conceive Gus? Should new DNA test prove otherwise, my money is on Joel Davis Jr.

[@r1mein54]

Came across these 2 vids today,,,thanks for the info and tips. I have a half brother and half sister all 3 of us from the same mother. We are trying to confirm or find who 'fathers' are and have contacted 2 cousins on my DNA list that are not shared with half siblings - they do not know fathers either.

[@sherrytee2962]

I'm trying to find identy of my father...got a load of 1st and 2nd cousins coming up but there is I believe a family connection between my parents so its making it all the more difficult to work out...my mother is also on Anscestry so I can see for sure when the match on her side....hmmnnn

[@GenealogyTV]

Oh... you're very close with those 1st and 2nd cousins. Research their trees in Floating trees. See that episode if you have not seen it already. Work every possible relationship and go through a process of elimination. I wish you luck.

[@shannonrussell6436]

Hi. I need to figure out who my great-grandfather was. I did an Ancestry test. My highest match from that family is 375. I went on DNA painter and that CM # has many options. I know the family name is Crouch.

[@GenealogyTV]

Look at the cousin matches on that side of the family and see if they have trees that you can look around in for clues. Look for commonalities in surnames amongst the different trees.

[@703llh1]

I have found many a clue by the obvious. Neighbors. Before easy transportation..neighbors dated, married, or had children by neighbors. (Walking distance). At the least..the neighbor could have a relative that visits the neighborhood.

[@GenealogyTV]

Neighbors are often overlooked as clues.

[@arkaig1]

I noticed the elder James Davis you mentioned in Sharon's tree was son (grandson?) of Abraham Davis, same name and timeframe as one of your FtDNA Y matches. (This is one of my favorites of your videos. Thanks!)

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks Barry. It's fun to connect the dots. In my latest episode, I solved this mystery.

[@aotearoagirl3998]

@@GenealogyTV Connie - I absolutely loved this video and want to see the sequel when you solved it!! How do I find it??

[@janek7618]

This was very helpful! I am trying to figure out how a 2nd-3rd cousin on my list and I are related. I've looked in the Bastardy Bonds for NC but I hadn't thought about looking at the names of the bondsmen. We don't have a name for her great-grandmother. It's hard to track down someone born out of wedlock so long ago. Any suggestions greatly appreciated. Thanks for walking us thru this and good luck in your continued search.

[@GenealogyTV]

Glad it was helpful! Look for DNA connections family trees... for people in the right place right time. Also, see the #1 Way to Break Down Brick Walls: Updated (2020), kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZ-saYGmlK9njac to help figure that out.

[@wandagreer9144]

If as you mentioned the dad may have been a public figure, then might there be some published articles on either of the possibilities? Could one of them been a mayor, a councilman, etc? Try to Google these names to see if you find leads. Good luck.

[@GenealogyTV]

Good point.

[@wandagreer9144]

@@GenealogyTV - I hope you find him. Could he have been married to someone else at the time? So many possibilities. Don't give up. Good luck!

[@veronicapiena3863]

How about looking at the newspapers, society sections, to see who were the "prominent" ones, as mentioned earlier.

[@GenealogyTV]

Great idea.

[@buckeyebaptist1976]

My grandfather was adopted and went to his grave not knowing who his parents were. He was born in 1926 and was adopted in 1927. He didn't find out he was adopted until he joined the navy in 1951. Of course in NC his original birth certificate was sealed. Getting as many clues as possible before my search would've saved me alot of trouble. My aunt had a notebook with correspondence letters with my grandfather's adoption agency. I got my hands on it after I identified my great grandmother. While looking through it, I realized that I would've likely identified her within 24 hours if I would've had access to it. I didn't have much to go on on my grandfather's paternal side. I had some matches that I grouped together on Ancestry but the big clues came when I had my dad take a 23andme. He had several 2nd and 3rd cousin matches. One of them was also on Gedmatch which is where everything started opening up. 23andme's predictive tree was a great tool. It definitely pointed me in the right direction. I couldn't believe how accurately they predicted my father's relationships. In fact, I didn't find one single mistake on both of my dad's sides! I was able to identify a very likely match and it fit with my 3rd and 4th cousin matches on Ancestry. And FTR, Myheritage was of little to no help except their search. It seems that very few people care to build decent trees there.

[@GenealogyTV]

Great story. Sounds like your detective work paid off. This is why we search everywhere we can and not just on one service or resource.

[@JungleJargon]

Cousin matches are a powerful tool to identify your direct ancestors going back some 300 years!

[@GenealogyTV]

👍 Yes they are!

[@JaneAtwellRobinson1825NY]

What about this "big Y" test that is out? Would that solve it?

[@GenealogyTV]

In this case I don’t think so.

[@arthurpearson6940]

So good

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks

[@robsmiley1256]

Davis is such a commom lastname Smith too im sure u will figure it out sometimes I wish all my cousins had the same lastname it would make things more simple

[@GenealogyTV]

Me too.:P

[@sharonneeley6235]

I am also at a brick wall. My father's birth mother gave birth to him under an assumed name. His birth certificate shows names that were similar to my grandparents. Through DNA I believe that I have found his birth parents lines. The problem is that several of the siblings on the paternal side actually married several of the sisters of who I believe to be the mothers line. So most of my DNA matches all lead down the same path. I have succumb to the thought that we will never find out who his birth parents were.

[@GenealogyTV]

Wow. That’s a tough one. Have you reached out to the DNA matches?

[@sharonneeley6235]

@@GenealogyTV I have but so many brothers that married several sisters. The elder members of the family are all passed. No one knows anything. It's so very frustrating. They hid their secrets well.

[@GenealogyTV]

Well this is where you go back to traditional genealogical techniques.

[@georginablack8264]

Thank you for sharing all this info with us as it is all quite fascinating. I don't think the age of the men is necessarily of any moment though and I am surprised that you are taking that into such great account. As your ancestor was only using them to have her children she wouldn't necessarily care what age they were. Also, the actual father i.e. Joel Jr could have just gotten one of his brothers to pay the bastardy bond. Or even Joel Sr. for that matter had his sons pay for him as he was still alive at that point. After all, it is not unusual in any age period for elderly "prominent" men to have young lovers! No doubt you will eventually discover the real father and that will be exciting - so the best of luck!

[@kathymclaughlin3327]

So interesting

[@GenealogyTV]

I love it.

[@kevincassidy7385]

My MIL has an almost exact same circumstance. RC is a potential 1/2 3C to my MIL. 157cM/5 segments at Ancestry and 163/5 at MyHeritage. Her female ancestor had a son in 1854 and then married a man in 1865 and had 3 more sons. Are there bastardy bonds in 1850s Henderson Co., Illinois? I'll have to check.

[@cynthiapage9326]

Just signed up. How do I find the very beginning of this show.

[@GenealogyTV]

Here you go... kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ6ciIWhrsZ4Z5Y

[@vancraven7688]

You are great!

[@kathrynludrick4821]

I have similar brick wall. I'm trying to identify my paternal great grandparents. I have some good DNA matches but so far I havent been able to connect the dots.

[@GenealogyTV]

Best of luck! I hope you figure it out.

[@guessmyname6210]

Don't give up. If you keep going back and checking records you may find something. Records are updated all the time. I've gone back and rechecked and found what I've needed. Good luck!

[@suelane3628]

Hang on in there. You are relying on your DNA relatives in that lineage, testing on the same site. Transfer your results to Ged Match to increase your chances. If appropriate, and possible test the Y chromosomal DNA on Family Tree DNA. And yes it is a waiting game. So far only one out of three of our Y Tests has thrown up close enough relatives to correlate with surnames, luckily one with illegitimacy, and the results were amazing.

[@szimmerman4768]

I like the idea of the warning emoji in the suffix area but cannot seem to be able to add it. Will I need a subscription for the emoji website to copy past? Or does Ancestry no longer allow for emojis to be pasted?

[@GenealogyTV]

You can still do this, but only do it in the suffix field. They have stripped the color from it though. Most no longer use the emojis anymore but instead use the tree tags.

[@LeonTexasNC]

Are the basdardy bonds in the Clerk of Courts office, or Register of Deeds?

[@GenealogyTV]

I believe they are court records. I found them in the library. You may have to do some digging to find them in your area.

[@gigharbormullen]

Thank you so much for this detailed approach. This is exactly my situation! After spending 30+ years researching my maternal grandmother’s family, DNA results indicate a half relationship with who I thought was a full 2nd cousin. My shared matches introduced a whole new family line with 6 sons. I have a floating tree and will continue to build it. My question…. I’m pretty certain I’m dealing with a NPE situation for the father BUT isn’t it also “possible” that it could be an adoption of a child from my gr-grandmother’s family??? Such a tangled web… love DNA.

[@GenealogyTV]

It is always good to explore all possibilities. Keep in mind we want to try just as hard to disprove our hypothesis as we do prove it. Keep your eyes wide open for all possible explanations.

[@deborahleroy5323]

I have a friend who wears t-shirts with sayings. I have a gift while advertising this channel. Sweet.

[@GenealogyTV]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@k.charleslloyd4345]

I expected the results. Not a cliffhanger of oh well. I did not find the ancestor. Did she check other DNA companies for possible matches to the Davis family?

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes... I have checked other DNA companies... and I check back from time to time for new matches.

[@k.charleslloyd4345]

I look forward to seeing an update video soon. Add more information about you checking with other DNA companies. This video gave the initial impression that you broke through your brickwall and here's how I did it. It was not that way.

[@jennamartin-payne1653]

If it is true that your cousin descended from Joel had 2 related Davis ancestors in her genetic make-up then the DNA match with your cousin descended from Exum would likely be high too right? So maybe if you contact all your cousin matches descending from those brothers and ask what their centimorgans are then you might get closer that way?

[@lemuelbaby3389]

I know you know a lot about this DNA or origins thing! Please I need your opinion about something! is that I uploaded my DNA in mytrueancestry and it shows me that I have Greek origin in the modern population! In the info it says that I fit in there! and fit means to put something or part of it, that is, to be part of it!

[@deborahleroy5323]

. My grandfather had 6 other siblings and strangely only One descendant has been listed through Ancestry DNA so far is that common? I have taken into consideration of siblings who are dead and that had no children too.

[@GenealogyTV]

That’s unfortunate. The next thing is to go up a generation to the next common ancestor so that you get a wider DNA set if possible n

[@stephenpeterson7479]

I think you should take a break in this family and dig into my Smith's. :-)

[@GenealogyTV]

Too funny

[@sharonfoster4310]

I have Walkers jn my background and they all seem to be named Robert or John!

[@GenealogyTV]

I hear you. In my Henley line all the women seemed to be named Rebecca. 🤔😂

[@KellyIrishgirl1]

I had never heard of bastardy bonds. I don't think this applies to any of my searches but what are the time frames of these and which states did they apply to? As per your suggestion ask, since it usually is that descendants are in that area...maybe try a craigslist ad, newspaper ad, radio announcement-vfw-VA hospital ...ads asking for Davis male descendants of the 5 brothers. Possible you find an older man who is closer in the line but is a match to your uncle or cousin that took the y DNA test for you, if record wise they fit you could have them do DNA...wouldn't wait because the older folks are dying and it is too much and too complicated to get DNA from people buried.

[@GenealogyTV]

From what I found Bastardy Bonds are mostly a North Carolina thing, but I seem to recall reading other articles that said they could be found throughout the southern states.

[@KellyIrishgirl1]

@@GenealogyTV Thank you

[@mikegallagher5485]

Great video, I have the exact same brick wall and may well try this is If can convince one of the few male only descendants to take a test. Can I ask which FTDNA Y test you used, Y-37 or Y-111?

[@GenealogyTV]

Thank you Mike. We did Y-64. I recommend at least 64 markers.

[@GeminiDayDreams]

I know that pain. My personal brick wall is my Great Great Grandfather who was a Smith.

[@GenealogyTV]

Researching Smith can be a challenge but using the fan club is key to success.

[@grayonallen9731]

I can’t find my grandmother’s father how would I find that out using this process?

[@Dee-uy3tx]

If it says unassigned is it because they have the Clarke name.?

[@christinaking1551]

Is there a way to contact a person like u to talk one on one in different states to my help with question or research?

[@GenealogyTV]

You might consider my virtual coaching service. We jump on a Zoom call for an hour and we can share screens and work on your family history together. Go here for more information. genealogytv.org/coaching-options/

[@kevinyork7073]

Would it be possible to discuss some of the information you have had in videos in a private conversation?

[@GenealogyTV]

You might consider my virtual coaching service. We jump on a Zoom call for an hour and we can share screens and work on your family history together. Go here for more information. genealogytv.org/coaching-options/

[@KentPetersonmoney]

My mom aunt married my dad uncle so obviously thier grandchildren would be my 2nd cousin both my dad and mom side. If they where to take a dna test they would likely say they are closer relative to me then a normal 2nd cousin would be

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes.

[@LindaSchreiber]

Excellent! Osburn, Plymale, Booth? Did any of your people end up in western WV? Those names are rampant in my tree. Oh, and just a comment.... Be careful of age assumptions. You know this, I'm sure, but they can trip people up, so I thought I would mention here. I don't know if it was in this video or a previous one. The father of the brothers was listed as a 'peddlar'? Don't discount him for age. The age when someone might be 'attractive' to a 30-yr-old can depend on charm more than years. And it may be why the brothers were signing bonds. In my own search for biofather, I narrowed down to two sons. One was two years older than biomom, and looked a lot like me. The other was nine years older, didn't, and was married. That latter guy was the father.

[@GenealogyTV]

Yes there is a lot of my family in West Virginia. Mostly on the Booth side.

[@mikey65dean]

I have found out I have a half first cousin on my dads side. Which means her mom who was adopted would be my 1/2 aunt?

[@roberthopgood1894]

Do you have any advice for anyone who was adopted trying to find their biological family??

[@GenealogyTV]

Have you taken a DNA test?

[@roberthopgood1894]

@@GenealogyTV Yes they have

[@jille9650]

Robert, have you watched any of Larry Jones videos on his channel DNA Family Trees? He talks through many techniques for using DNA to find biological parents and his own experience finding his biological father.

[@roberthopgood1894]

@@jille9650 It is not like I can know every channel on here