A DNA test can only prove a direct descent, along maternal (for females), and paternal lines (for males), although males can also be tested for Mitochondrial (female) DNA. The problem may be in finding a relative who is on that straight line. When I had my DNA test taken, it was through my straight maternal line. There are others in the family who have taken tests (my brother for paternal/maternal) to prove direct descendancy. I don't know if that is the issue, but if so one way to resolve it is to find a relative on that direct line.

I saw a story many years ago about a lady who stated she was a direct descendant of James Madison. 

Anita  

> Date: Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:46:16 -0400
> From: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: New Presidential Descendant Claimant
> To: [log in to unmask]
> 
> Today's Richmond Times Dispatch had an article about a Massachusetts  
> pediatrician who claims via oral history to be descended from James  
> Madison's father and from James Madison. Difficulties in getting  
> genetic testing done and by whom, etc. are preventing forward motion  
> at the moment.
> 
> The Washington Post's Jonathan Mummolo wrote the article and in it was  
> a paragraph: "Despite genetic evidence that has linked Hemmings' line  
> to Jefferson's family, and documentary evidence that historians say  
> points to Jefferson as the father, there are still some who deny the  
> link."
> 
> The first part about linking SH's line to Jefferson's family is true  
> via DNA. The second part about documentary evidence is highly  
> contested and cannot be ascertained with certainty. The third part  
> goes completely off the rails by tarring those who might deny that TJ  
> was the father.
> 
> Of such things is disinformation promulgated. The first step is to  
> make a statement that is true. Then you warp it one degree as the  
> second part did, and then the third part is introduced as the new  
> "truth" and we're off to the Goebbels finals with a flourish.
> 
> Let the fireworks begin.
> 
> Lyle Browning 
> 
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