Adoptee - Best Way to Use DNA?

Question

Edgar Francis Viles was adopted.  His mother was Helena Berg.  In the adoptions papers, she said the father's name was John Carter.  I have male cousins who are direct descendants, as well as numerous females descendants. I know nothing about either connection.  Who should take DNA tests, and which type?  I.e., which test will give what type of information and be most helpful?

Answer 1

In a situation like yours, I find Y-DNA a lot easier to work with.  Have a male relative with the Viles surname take a Y-DNA37 test via the Carter Surname DNA Project and matches there will reveal which Carters are family and which are not.

Sincerely, Peter

Comments

I have used the FF autosomal test from ftdna. My father had no father of record on his birth record in Germany in 1907, and his mother's brother had died at 14 before my father was born. I have had two sons. As far as I know (please correct me), my sons' auDNA tests would not carry any of my father's DNA. Is that correct?

The only personal remnant I have from my father is a hat that was not often worn (he was partly bald and used it for CA's "cold" weather). He died in 1984 and the hat has been in a footlocker in my AZ garage since then. If there had been any DNA on it (I have assumed not), the summer heat in the garage plus aging would I suspect have deteriorated it. But if it would still be useful, where would I take it for analysis?

Uh--just remembered: I have his tennis racket from the 1930s, kept inside my house.

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Hello Roberta,

Half of your autosomal DNA and one of your X chromosomes is from your father.  About a fourth of each of your son's autosomal DNA is from your father, but it is all via the autosomal DNA you have from your father.  Each of your sons likely have some of your father's X chromosome (via you).

I don't recommend the forensic DNA route due to the expense and having a good chance of getting no results.

Having said that, It is possible to get mtDNA from hair shafts and mtDNA, autosomal, and Y-DNA from hair bulbs (hair roots) The last time I looked into this the lab wanted to have at least eight hairs with bulbs.

Hang onto his hat because it may have pulled hair (shafts with roots) and the technology to extract the DNA will likely improve and become much more affordable within ten years.

Answer 2

Best thing is to start with an Autosomal test (Family Finder with FTDNA, plus ancestry and 23 and me if you can afford it).  Usually the oldest descendants are best to start with, this will find genetic cousins.  If you have a male direct descendant of Edgar down the male line, i.e. son's son, then get at least 37 markers for ydna (fathers father) this might help you trace the CARTER father.  An mtdna test is useful for the female line but you need a daughter down from Helena, which I don't think you have.

It would also be useful to get other cousins to do the Family Finder.

Also check out www.dnaadoption.com and the DNA Wikitree Project page for more useful tips http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Project:DNA

Comments

You are correct, Edgar had 3 sons and a daughter, but we know of no other descendants of his mother Helena.