APG-L Archives

Archiver > APG > 2009-04 > 1240479069


From: "LBoswell" <>
Subject: Re: [APG] DNA information needed
Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:31:09 -0400
References: <c2f.5243debb.37215d5e@aol.com>
In-Reply-To: <c2f.5243debb.37215d5e@aol.com>


I think this is an area that does need more theoretical or background work,
maybe involving a mix of experts to establish how DNA testing can be
employed as a tool in genealogical research. There are statistical models
that could be employed, similar to those used to establish the error margin
in polling results, for example. Right now we're largely stumbling around in
the dark when it comes to really understanding the potential offered by this
tool/approach.

Larry
----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Cc: <>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 1:57 AM
Subject: Re: [APG] DNA information needed


>
> In a message dated 4/22/2009
> (mailto:) asked
>
>>Can anyone explain how the relationship of Giles to both of these
> supposed
> parents could be proven solely through DNA. Science was never one of my
> strong areas in school, so please answer as simply as possible..
>
> Judy, no one can do that solely by using the Y-DNA and mtDNA tests most
> often used in DNA genealogical studies. At best, these tests can (1)
> disprove a
> possible relationship through the all-paternal or all-maternal line, or
> (2)
> prove two or more people descend from a common ancestor at some point in
> the past. While DNA results can give some indication of how far back the
> common ancnestor lived, they cannot pinpoint a specific individual or
> generation.
> However, by using related documentary evidence, a strong case can often
> be
> built from indirect evidence that a particular individual was the common
> ancestor, or that an individual was descended from a particular ancestor.
> The
> written proof argument, required by the Genealogical Proof Standard,
> should
> clearly explain how each element of DNA and record evidence contributed to
> the conclusion reached. If the proof argument leaves you unconvinced, the
> issue has not been proved.
>
>
> Donn Devine, CG, CGL
> Wilmington DE
> Administrator, Devine and Baldwin DNA Surname Studies, J2Plus Y-Haplogroup
> Project.
>
> CG, Certified Genealogist, CGL, and Certified Genealogical Lecturer are
> service marks of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, used under
> license by board certificants after periodic evaluation, and the board
> name is
> registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office.
>
>
> ----Original Message------
> Date: 4/22/2009
> From: (mailto:) :
> Subject: [APG] DNA information needed
> To: (mailto:)
>
> I need some help understanding DNA ancestry searches. Right now my head
> is spinning. I have had several clients who worked with DNA companies.
> One
> client was traced back to a William Lee. However, William had a number of
> children and there was apparently no way of knowing which of them had been
> my
> client's ancestor. I was hired to trace forward from William. Another
> client learned that she and another researcher had an ancestor in common,
> but
> did not know who (accept for the surname). I understood those.
>
> But this client has posed a different problem. She contacted someone on
> one of the message boards who had claimed James and Mary were the
> parents
> of
> Giles (bc 1822). The surnames of James and Giles is unimportant, but
> Mary's maiden name was Giles. And so, although this connection has been
> considered a strong possibility, no proof as been found. Both Mary and
> James left
> wills and neither mentioned Giles. When my client contacted the woman from
> the board asking what proof she had, the poster said the information came
> from GeneBase BioNet.
>
> Can anyone explain how the relationship of Giles to both of these
> supposed
> parents could be proven solely through DNA. Science was never one of my
> strong areas in school, so please answer as simply as possible..
>
>
>
>
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>
>
>
>
>
> .
>
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