At what point could a father/mother be linked based on DNA matches?

+2 votes
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If one has 32 matches on ancestry.com to a common ancestor [in the matches' trees], and has a triangulation with 3 cousins (not my cousins) on gedmatch and 2 others on ftdna.com of that common ancestor, is it appropriate to link to a father based on those DNA facts?

On ftdna, the triangulation was confirmed with two generations (my aunt as well as myself.)  No male family members are alive to be tested.  

At this point, I have not found a single document for a source, but have tax records suggesting a son was out of the household about the time Thomas N. McPherson left home.  Also, the book Mcpherson of Virginia and North Carolina show an unknown son was born in 1823. This is documented on the profile for Thomas N. McPherson (McPherson-3234.)

WikiTree profile: Thomas McPherson
in Genealogy Help by Brenda Breland Shaffer G2G6 (6.9k points)
edited by Brenda Breland Shaffer

1 Answer

+2 votes
 
Best answer

Is the common ancestor on your paternal side? "Confirmed with DNA" actually means "the 'paper' genealogy was confirmed with DNA", so if:

  • all these matches have a Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) on your paternal side, and
  • you can recreate the family tree to enough of those cousins through that MRCA, and
  • They're either properly triangulated or close enough that they don't need it, then

Yes, your relationship to your father is Confirmed with DNA.

by Eric Hoffman G2G6 Mach 2 (20.3k points)
selected by Brenda Breland Shaffer

That is, if I understood your question correctly, in other words, "father/mother" meaning "father or mother", not "father and mother" ;)

Thank you!  The comment "father and mother" meant could the father and mother be connected to ancestor's profile based on DNA.  All matches have MRCA on paternal side, triangulation was done with gedmatch tools and ftdna tools, and family tree created with documents leading to matches' ancestor.  I will triangulate matches to ancestor's maternal side before listing mother.

I assume listing the three points on the profile would be sufficient documentation.

"I assume listing the three points on the profile would be sufficient documentation."

Be sure you have read carefully the DNA Confirmation page and the Triangulation page. You must have specific information in a source reference, otherwise Edit Bot will be upset. :-)

Thank you!  This is very helpful!

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