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From: "Debbie Kennett" <>
Subject: [DNA] Recommendations for DNA testing
Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2011 18:28:23 -0000


Diana

I don't think 12 markers are sufficient to prove or disprove any
genealogical connection. I've had 12/12 marker matches with similar surnames
fall apart with the addition of more markers. Conversely I had a 10/12
mismatch which became a 35/37 match.

It depends on what sort of relationship you are talking about testing. If
you want to know whether or not two men with the same surname share a common
ancestor then 37 markers are usually sufficient. I've never had a 37-marker
match with the same surname fall apart with the addition of extra markers.
Do you have any examples where this has occurred?

The only grey area is when you're trying to establish whether surnames match
in the 1100-1600 period where the paper trail runs out for the majority of
lines. In this case it is usually best to get one person from each line to
test at 67 markers rather than everyone in each group. I'd rather spend
available funds getting more people tested at 37 markers than test everyone
at 67 markers.

Debbie Kennett

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