RootsChat.Com

Hi
Thank you for all the help and suggestions folks. I doubt the original records  I need exist any longer or Familysearch, Ancestry etc would have filmed/digital copies by now. Although the 1861 census states that William was born in Exning I'm not sure that this is correct. My ancestor, his son Thomas was born at Creeksea, Essex. I have a DNA match with a descendant of Joseph so believe I have the right family so far.  I will investigate the  Market Street family further. There is also a family at Great Waltham, Essex that may be a possibilty.
Thanks again, Matriach

Thanks for all this input folks.  I don't think I put my original question very well. I understand the difference between actual DNA matches and the ethnicity that Ancestry believes I have - which alters from time to time as they attract more punters to their pool of "examples". I wondered if 10% was enough to warrant spending time on research - afterall I know to whom the  4-8% of Irish  DNA on my maternal side refers. General opinion seems to indicate probably not.  My biggest problem would be the amount of inbreeding  amongst  a small community.
As previously mentioned I find the best way to sort out good matches that are not to be found on your   family tree is to contact the match (or their shared matches) and hopefully get further insight. It is frustrating if you do not get an answer which is why I always reply to messages and e-mails even if I cannot be very helpful.
Warm regards to you all, Matriach

I understand that the ethnicity percentages given on Ancestry are within a range, but I do not fully understand their significance in relation to time. I thought I read somewhere that only the DNA from 5 or 6 generations back could be measured with any accuracy, but perhaps I imagined this.
From my paternal side I have inherited 10% Swedish DNA (it was 2% Norwegian and 8% Swedish). Only 2 close matches have more but that is I believe because we are related through both of my paternal grandmothers. Is this amount of DNA relevant to ancestors I could possibly find in church records? With one or two exceptions my paternal ancestors seem to have lived in Sussex or the Hants/Sussex border since the 17C.

Hi Andy
thank you very much for enhancing my photo - my what an improvement!  I only knew him as an old man of course and didn't realise what a good looker he was.....(although I expect the photographer played his part..)

thanks again, Helen

This is a photograph of my grandfather that I have recently inherited following the death of a cousin.
Harry joined the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry in 1896 but transferred to the Hampshire Regiment in 1903. He landed from HMS Clyde during the Gallipoli campaign and after being posted missing believed dead was found on the beach alive with bullet wounds.
i would be grateful for any improvement.
Thank you so much, Helen McClintock