Research African American Ancestors on Ancestry | Guest - Crista Cowan

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

⚡ Learn how to Documenting Enslaved Persons on Ancestry 👉🏼 kzbin.info/www/bejne/foObm2Sgit51iqM

[@zigm7420]

I have an African American match on Ancestry (I only have trace African ancestry) who is a 90 cM match. She does have a tree posted and I’ve been able to take it back a bit farther, but we don’t seem to have any common ancestors within the last 4-5 generations, or even any last names in common. I do match more people on her tree, as she does on mine, so it’s pretty clear which branch of each other’s trees we are on, but I’ve hit a brick wall. Any suggestions on where to go from here would be appreciated.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

First, check out the Shared cM tool to see the likely possibilities of where you match your relative. dnapainter.com/tools/sharedcmv4 Second, reexamine the statement, "We don't seem to have any common ancestors." The fact that you share 90 cMs says you do, but you don't know who those common ancestors are. My guess is there is an unknown 'half-relationship' on your tree. For example, one of your grandparents - great-great-grandparents had a relationship with one of your DNA match's ancestors. The next step is to determine who this DNA match does and does not match. If the DNA match doesn't match anyone on your maternal line, the relationship happens on the paternal line. Then, figure out which of your paternal relatives this genetic relative matches, and you'll likely isolate who some possible candidates are. Finally, once you have the candidates, begin research on those people to see who might have been in the same place at the same time to create life. In our Membership Archive, Andy walks through this process for my unknown great-grandfather. The principles are the same no matter who the unknown link is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6vJhmlqZsaCq9E

[@guywilcox3215]

Yes

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Did you enjoy this video? Yay!

[@msartlit]

Q. What should I do when someone misappropriates my family tree on ancestry? I've noticed that even after I've notified individuals of their errors they've kept this information in their trees and used my family photos in their trees. It's pretty upsetting to me...

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Misappropriates? I'm not sure how you're defining this term. Could you clarify.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Also... if you think the information is wrong, I have a video about folks adding incorrect information to their tree. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYq6p3V3ebOkl5o