My Heritage DNA which parent?

[MickChambers]

My wife took a MH DNA test so I could try and fill gaps in her tree, mainly on her father's side.
The best link that came back was 'Parent's 1st cousin, Half 1st cousin'.
I checked out their tree and several not so close that matched and I did not recognise any surnames quoted so assumed these are her paternal branches.
Now I'm wondering if my assumption is correct.
Is there a way of determining mother/father lines from this test or is it only when I can prove which side of the tree they climb?
TIA for any assistance here.

[louisa maud]

I will be interested in this reply, so, will keep my eye open for replies.

LM

[Zaphod99]

You must look at the shared matches of each of your matches, to identify which way round parent one and parent two are allocated.

Zaph

[MickChambers]

Hi Zaph.
Thanks for the reply.
I understand what you say but my problems on this side of the tree are that there is only the maternal side for three generations back! I think I need to persuade my MiL to take a DNA test too.

[Glen in Tinsel Kni]

Surname searching has drawbacks. By not using maiden names, omitting an earlier/later marriage or not acknowledging an illegitimate child or an NPE a tree may only show part of the story and it's often the important bit that is missing.

Over and above issues with trees which can be a problem on any platform the MH database is small and a single but important missing match can have big consequences, the relationship predictions can leave a lot to be desired and personally I've never been a fan of how they default to full relationships and force users to use multiple clicks to access the half options in the 'all relationships' view. 

[Biggles50]

Another DNA test will help but this time use Ancestry as they have over 4x more people who have taken a test than MH has.

You Wife should be the first one to take an Ancestry test, then your MiL and if FiL is still alive they also should take an Ancestry DNA test.

Please read this thread, following the guidance will help.

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=863488.27

Good luck

[MickChambers]

Thanks Biggles50, I have an Ancestry kit ready and I hope my wife is still interested enough to do a second test. As per my first post there is no FiL, that's who I'm trying to find, MiL is reluctant to name names! I suppose if Family History was easy it wouldn't be so fascinating.
Thank again.
Mick

[Spelk]

The mach you do not understand may be due to an NPE on your MIL's side but Occam's razor says that it is most likely the FIL side.
What you need to find out is where your MIL was 9 monhs before the birth of your wife and what was she doing work and leisure wise. How to cunningly ask that I don't know.
Then try to match that in with the relatives of your match.
Try contacting the match and see if they are willing to help. If they have gone to the trouble of making a tree then it is quite possible that they are sitting at home wondering why your wife should match with them.
Have you put your wife's tree online? Even with half of it missing it is better than nothing and shows that you are willing to share and not just stalking others.

PS - just had a look a Mick's earlier post https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=401421.9

The common possible ancestors are Alfred and Ethel who had 12 children so tracking where all the grandchildren were is going to be quite a slog.

[Biggles50]

If your MiL will take a DNA test then I suggest she takes two, a My Heritage test and an Ancestry test.

Your Wife can also take an Ancestry test.

Then between the two companies and two sets of results you can ID the matches that they share.

Those that they do not share are on her Paternal Side.

If this is too much then an Ancestry test will give more results as they have over 4x more peoples DNA in their database.

If you read this thread its content will offer more guidance.

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=863488.0

Goid luck