Research Question

 

AncestryDNA matches.

As I try to work through various approaches to using the enhanced shared matches from the DNA results of my parents, I thought it would be useful to write down the specific research questions I am looking to resolve. This will help focus the research, and if I proceed down the path of using some guided coaching, it will help that person get up to speed with the family history mysteries I am trying to address through DNA.

Question #1

I've written about this on the blog several times. I am trying to identify the parents of my 3rd-great-grandmother Bridget. Using my Dad's DNA results, this would be to identify the family of his 2nd-great-grandmother, which should be feasible through the Dot Method described in Your DNA Guide. From his AncestryDNA ancestral regions and DNA journey, we know there is a close connection to Central Ireland, specifically Lough Ree, Roscommon and Longford counties. We also know the Dooner family came to America from this same region, and I have a strong suspicion that Bridget's family was from this area too.

A secondary question on this side of the tree would be to determine the generation of connection with the James O'Brien cluster of DNA matches. I think I share a common ancestor at the 4th-great-grandparent level on the O'Brien side. I know it is a challenge to trace this O'Brien line back to a specific area of Ireland, even though John O'Brien's obituary says he was from County Clare, that could be where he departed Ireland.

Question #2

My next research question would be to use my Mom's AncestryDNA shared matches to identify the father of my 2nd-great-grandmother, Mary Alice Cain. This is particularly challenging given known issues with endogamy on the Flatt side of the tree, where Mary Alice's mother Nancy Jane Flatt married her first cousin Pleasant Morgan.

There are other questions I have using AncestryDNA results, but these are the first ones I'd have a DNA research coach review to help me overcome long standing brick walls.