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 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html