RootsChat.Com

Hi 4b2

it comes down to this:  if my 3xggmother had a child with another man (let's call him Fred), not my 3xggfather, I would be a half-whatever and wouldn't share any DNA with my Fred's descendants. Would I?   

The marriage cert might be a red herring, it might not.  I won't know.  I posted to check out my thinking (obviously didn't explain it clearly enough, apologies) because I so wanted to have found a match that would be proof.  Instead, I've got another mystery.  That's family history ...

 

This one DNA match is the ONLY match that looked possible for that family which is why it's important.  It's looking more like the match isn't to Sarah's family, the connection is probably coincidentally, so I'll have to dig deeper into the his tree. 

Thanks for all the thoughts. It's been useful.

It's complicated, isn't it...

My DNA match is directly related to Charles through a daughter with his wife.  From the match's extensive tree Charles is the most likely match as he is in a village my ancestor lived in too. But, Sarah, illegitimate half sister to my 2xggrandmother, stated Charles was her father on her marriage certificate which, along with the DNA match, could provide proof of a connection.  However, when I've put it all into Family Historian, it says the match is no direct relation to me.  Obviously the software doesn't take DNA into account hence my query - am I trying to make something fit when it shouldn't?

Of course I could be related to Charles through another line altogether but I've no idea how.  I've drafted his tree back as far as I can go and nothing crops up.  Ho hum!

Ah yes, I meant ancestor!  Silly me. 

There are several points to know but I really wanted to know if the 10cM link is possible?  I think it's unlikely but on the surface, it's the simplest explanation.

First, the marriage took place in London and by then the 'father' had died.  Second, the family were a scandal in the village and people probably did know - the mother had a handful of children, all with different fathers.  Third, only one 'father' is known for certain as he took his child into his home and raised her.  There isn't any record concerning Sarah's birth.  Fourth, my ancestor made up a father's name for her marriage certificate and her own illegitimate daughter used the same name when she got married, so you can see why I'm not sure Charles IS the father.  Except I do have this 10cM match. 

Thanks for the thoughts.