Hi, David, 

I don't think that the DNA tests can "complete" your family tree without
paperwork.  However, this is what it CAN do: 

My Dugger tree in Brunswick Co., VA has several anomalies.  The paper trail
proves only one son of Daniel Dugger (b. c 1690) and Mary Scarborough.
However, there are five  other suspected sons and three daughters.  Two of
those daughters had illegitimate children per the paper trail.  The will of
a potential father, Marmaduke Cheatham, gave a cow to John Dugger, son of
Lydia Dugger, "decd",  one of the daughters of Daniel Dugger.  It also says
that his wife, Susanna, may receive "her maintenance" if she will "come and
live at home."  

After finding a descendant of the "proven" son, we were able to verify that
the DNA of the other sons matched.  They were all sons of Daniel and Mary
Dugger.  As for the illegitimate children of the daughters, we found a
descendant of Marmaduke to take the test so that we could determine if
Marmaduke was being kind to a godson or neighbor or if he was related.  The
DNA proved that the sons of Lydia were Cheathams.  The closeness of the
match indicates that the father of Lydia's children must be either Marmaduke
himself or one of his sons.  Based on the wording of the will, most of us
believe that Marmaduke was the father and that his wife, Susanna, was not
too happy about the arrangement. 

DNA testing also proved that the children of the other daughter, Elizabeth
Dugger, John and Daniel II, were descendants of a McClain.  I haven't heard
if a more precise determination of the individual has been found but we do
know the surname of the father of the children.  

The biggest problem is getting people to participate so that matches can be
made.  It took a great deal of effort to find a descendant of the proven
son, Henry, so that he could have the test but it was well worth it for the
Duggers of VA. Over 75 Duggers have participated in the project making the
database rich with information.  In comparison, only 15  Scarboroughs have
participated so that the best that can be done in that line is to be
frustrated, guess and wait.  

And yes, if you were wondering, Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar are descendants
through Alexander, the second son of Lydia Dugger and Marmaduke Cheatham.   

Cynthia McDaniel 


-----Original Message-----
From: Research and writing about Virginia genealogy and family history.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David Stroebel
Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 10:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [VA-ROOTS] Do DNA Tests actually do what they advertise work?

I purchased two DNA tests from Ancestry and the closest "match" was from a
person 150 years ago who was a complete stranger to all of my 12 family
trees.  Has anyone found a substantial number of persons that "completed"
their family trees as they are advertised as?
 
David

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