Genealogy DNA Tests

I recently ordered the Family Finder test from Family Tree DNA. Reading this, you probably don't need to be found; we already know how our trees are connected. Still if any of my known cousins were to take the Family Finder test, they would at least have a match with me. If on my Mom's side of the family, then they would also have a second, closer match. I had her order the test during FTDNA's recent sale.

Like other genealogy DNA tests, the utility of this test is limited by the number of people who have been tested. Unlike the original tests (YDNA and mtDNA), which potentially match along only one branch (father's-father's-father... or mother's-mother's-mother... ), the relatively new Family Finder test potentially matches along any branch. The more distant the relationship, the less the chance of detecting a match. So that is why I had my Mom take the test.

I first had my YDNA tested a little over eight years ago. The results appear as kit 10698 at the Hungarian/Magyar project, and also at the R-U152 project. Those two projects continue to answer my initial curiosity about how my Toth grandfather fits into the big picture in that part of Europe. Though I've been in contact with European Toth cousins, finding someone willing to do a YDNA test to prove the connection is of secondary interest.

On the other hand, the possibility of proving a Meagher connection was the primary reason I encouraged my mother's first cousin to have his YDNA tested. He did that a little over seven years ago. I started a Meagher surname project solely for the purpose of obtaining a discounted, group price for his test. That Meagher project has taken on a life of it's own, as part of the big picture in Ireland.

In the hope of proving my great-grandfather's connection with the James and Ann Meagher family of Ohio, I contacted about two dozen Meaghers in Ohio, encouraging them to have their YDNA tested. It's kind of a Catch-22. If I was certain about their connection with my family tree, I wouldn't need the YDNA for proof. Since I and they are uncertain, I haven't asked more than twice.

It will probably be the same way with the Family Finder test. Any descendant of the Patrick and Nancy Meagher family of Ireland would be, at most, a third cousin of my Mom, perhaps once or more removed. That would probably be getting close to the limit of the Family Finder test, but there could still be a faint trace of a connection. It will be interesting to see what may develop.