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Denyse Allen's avatar

When there is a “famous person” who shares the same name, birth year, and general location as our real ancestor, it makes a huge mess and I have the same in my Wilmer line. Love how you wrote up the untangling. I usually get confused when most people do it if there isn’t a chart or map involved.

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

Thanks so much Denyse. You may also be interested in the corrections I’m working on now. :o( And the DNA solution.

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David Shaw's avatar

All of us have, ahem… “pedigree collapse” but it’s always a surprise when we find it. There are studies concluding that the fittest DNA is progeny from 3rd or 4th cousins. More closely related or further related results in less fit DNA.

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Jennifer Jones's avatar

I can see why you were hooked into learning more about your family history Steve. I loved this story and will be looking forward to more. Welcome to our wonderful genie community

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

Thanks, Jennifer. I’ve encountered some bumps in the road in my recounting of the solution … but I’m working on it!

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Kirsi Dahl's avatar

Great storytelling! And another great example of why the primary principle of genealogy is “reasonably exhaustive research”. Looking forward to the next part!

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

About that “reasonably exhaustive research” … at the moment it’s more, “unreasonably exhaustive recounting” that’s the problem. :(

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Kirsi Dahl's avatar

Take it easy. :)

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Jane Chapman's avatar

An intriguing puzzle I am looking forward to seeing how the DNA evidence contributes to solving it.

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

Hang on, I’m working on it. Thanks for the anticipation ;)

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Jane Chapman's avatar

DNA investigations take time, I know. Wasn't intending to rush you! Happy to wait 😊 !

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

Oh, the ‘investigation’, such as it was, ended five years ago. It’s the putting-it-all-together that’s in process as I type! ;)

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Lori Olson White's avatar

Fascinating and I love the way you chose to und roll the story! Can’t wait for the big reveal or big let down, depending on that darn DNA😉

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

Yeah, it’s that pesky un-rolling of the story that’s an issue … but I’m still plodding ahead.

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Anne’s Family History's avatar

It is fun puzzling out the right answers and fitting it all together. I look forward to the next instalment.

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

Thanks! Should be today or tomorrow. I hadn’t intended to part-it but I realized that what I’m about to write is almost exclusively about DNA and when I got to that point I felt it would be better to separate it.

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Steve Stockdale's avatar

Yeah, so about that “today or tomorrow …” didn’t happen and still a ways off. I’ve encountered some road blocks and detours. ;)

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