Besides being the largest in the world, the Family Tree DNA databases' online component
tells you which of those 50,000 or so who've had their DNA tested connect to you. And it breaks it down into
Genetic Distances. A separation of genetic distance 1 means you share a common ancestor within a predictable
number of years. This can be calculated to tighter numbers if you can compare your documents research and eliminate
a certain number of generations in the recent past.
You'll notice that Niven shares a common ancestor with a member of the Wallace family. This should come as no surprise.
Also, the May family has been connected to the Sinclairs in Caithness for years. Steve shares a common ancestor with the
Hay family. Stan with the Barton family, a member of which was on Ye Loyalty with Alexander Sinkler in 1698.
Ian Alexander's connection to the Monteith family is fascinating as Steve
has extensive documents research showing they were connected to the St.
Clairs of Rosslyn and Virginia.
These family alliances often meant sharing more than the same town in
Scotland with a close family. Or they could mean adoptions in years past. In
the case of those in our group with only 12-marker tests, the family
relationships could well extend back to the last ice age, so they must be
taken with a grain of salt until further tests come in.
Isn't it also interesting that, while Steve and Stan are a genetic
distance of only 1 apart on 37 markers, they share not a single genetic
distance 1 relationship??? This will be a long project, and we've a lot yet
to learn. Adding more folks to this short list of current participants will
help tremendously.
