Relationsip to the Smith family.

Question

I am a descendent of David Smith son of Col John Smith. How do I find/confirm dna thru 23and me?

Answer 1

If you're a direct male Smith line descendant of Daniel, John, and David Smith, you may be able to use a yDNA test from Family Tree DNA to confirm that relationship with DNA. David was born in 1743. That's too far back for you to be able to use 23andMe, which is an auDNA test.

Comments

Actually my Mom's au results shows on a Smith born 1701, I don't, too far back for me. But I show next gen down for son born 1723.

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Sherrie, Even though your mother's auDNA test may be displayed on the profile of a Smith born in 1701, that doesn't necessarily indicate that there will be enough matching auDNA to confirm any relationships.

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What Kay said. In fact, if you want to try to use autosomal DNA to validate to Col. John Smith (1698) that task is even more unlikely. Assuming that modern test-takers are 50 years old, and allowing for a generous 30 years per intervening generation, that's nine generations back; contemporary cousins who could have taken atDNA tests would be separated from you by 18 degrees of relationship...more precisely 18 birth events, or 8th cousins. The theoretical average atDNA sharing reaches an effective zero by 6th cousins (0.01%).

Sherrie, just a note that the names showing under that "DNA Connections" panel on profiles are a WikiTree construct only; it's simply showing possible relationships based upon who's entered on their own profiles that they've taken a DNA test. For autosomal DNA, that's eight birth events: back to 6g-grandparents and out to 3rd cousins. To validate to 6g-grandparents, you'd need a detailed triangulation study with contemporary 7th cousins. All but impossible to do. WikiTree chose eight degrees of relationship because you can validate to 3rd cousins (2g-grandparents) fairly easily and accurately. Autosomal DNA beyond 4th cousins is highly unlikely to be useful or valid evidence. Those "DNA Connections" panel listings are just suggestions for further investigation and research. They aren't "matches."

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I find that within Gedmatch.com if I reduce the comparison value range by 50% I can pick up additional matches and see them. So, it does work, and we have been able to ascertain connection with this process. Tiny bits of DNA, but that's to be expected back that far!

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DNA evidence plus paper trail is quite excellent!@!

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You should read this posting about using small segments of auDNA: https://www.wikitree.com/g2g/530604/why-small-dna-segments-like-poison-m%26ms-blaine-bettinger-blog?show=530604#q530604

Answer 2

Not sure.  Smith is a relation through my wife's line.  If I find out anything from my inlaws I will let you know.