Judge William Maclin DNA ties to Alexander McLin line?

Question

After having taken the DNA tests, we now know that our line (descendants of Alexander McLin of Washington County, TN) links to the line of Judge William Maclin of Nashville, TN. Judge William and Alexander (born about 1754-1755) were contemporaries, so Alexander must be related through an earlier common ancestor, but who? Alexander's son Joseph named a daughter after Elizabeth Maclin Carter (the Judge's sister) and referred to her as a cousin. Also, Goodspeed's history (the author's wife was a descendant of Alexander) refers to the Maclins/McLins as a single family entity. I am trying to find out how/where the two lines meet up. Perhaps Alexander was an illegitimate son? Or perhaps he was disowned when he converted to Presbyterian while the rest of family before the Rev War were Anglican? Any suggestions?

Comments

It's conventional to talk about people with the same surname as being all one big family.  Even if they aren't even Scottish.  It's just empty talk if it's not backed by evidence.

But it's difficult to pin down how far back the common ancestor is.  On the face of it, it's not ruled out that your lines descend from two different immigrants.

But connections through hypothetical people aren't good genealogy.  You need some names and records from earlier generations.

What you've learnt it's that it's worth studying the judge's family as well as yours.

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I agree. I simplified the facts behind the previous question for brevities' sake. I have studied the genealogy of both family lines for many years now. We are definitely descendant of Alexander McLin and my brother's DNA has multiple links to people who share Judge William as their ancestor. I know many Virginia records have been lost over the years, but I was hoping someone else has found some evidence that I have not.

Answer 1

Sheila - did you get any further with this question over the past years?  We are McClains who match the Maclin family and are in the same boat somewhat.  

Kimm