Question re 3rd to 4th cousins

[ptdrifter]

Good afternoon
I have a quick question. I have a group of 3rd to 4th cousins all cross related to most of the group. All are in America, I'm in UK.
Where should I be looking for our MRCA.

[antonymark]

Hi there,

As I understand it third cousins will share 2xgreat grandparents and fourth cousins share 3xgreat grandparents.

Tony.

[ReadyDale]

Good afternoon
I have a quick question. I have a group of 3rd to 4th cousins all cross related to most of the group. All are in America, I'm in UK.
Where should I be looking for our MRCA.

Worth bearing in mind that when Ancestry (or whoever) suggest 3rd cousin, that doesn't guarantee that is what they are. It may be the "most likely", based on shared % and ages of yourself and them. But best look at the options, or allow a generation (or two) either way.
In my work on a friend's DNA, had what Ancestry suggested was probable was a 3C2R was actually a 5C1R

[ptdrifter]

Thanks Tony
I thought it was that sort of level, I suppose I next need to look at siblings of my 2x and 3x ggps and maybe further back and see if I can find any emigration records.

[ptdrifter]

Ok thanks RD.
The interesting thing is the whole group in the  US are African Americans, and I have a very  small percentage of West African ancestry(according to Ancestry)

[Ruskie]

Ok thanks RD.
The interesting thing is the whole group in the  US are African Americans, and I have a very  small percentage of West African ancestry(according to Ancestry)

The African ancestry may come from the other side of the family if you don’t think it’s from your side. For example a brother or sister of your 3xgreat grandfather or grandmother emigrated to the USA and married an African American.
 If your DNA matches appear to have more African DNA than a common third (for example) great grandparent indicates, it could be that more African DNA was introduced in later generations. (Half European and half African 2xgreat grandparent may have married a person with 100%African DNA).
Just a thought …

[ptdrifter]

Thanks Ruskie
Definitely something to think about. I know from first and second cousins in the UK which line/s it might be , so more research needed.