‘MANDY’ WRITES:
I tested on Ancestry a few years ago and have been able to find how some of my matches are related to me. However there are matches (some sharing over 100cMs) who I can’t work out because they have no tree or one with only a few names. What can I do?
KAREN REPLIES:
You checked, and they have no tree – now it’s time to put your deerstalker hat on, call Dr Watson and go detecting.
My plan is to collect as much information as I can and build a quick and dirty tree.
GO DETECTING!
Here’s what I look for:
• It’s ‘usually’ easier to find matches who share more DNA with you as the link to a family name or area could be more apparent.
• Look at your match’s name.
• Look for high matches where the name is distinguishable.
• People often put their first name and surname together and add numbers which correspond to year of birth or age.
• Try to go for male matches as women may be using their married name (though that’s not always the end).
Here is how I found my relationship to ‘Julia Panko’ – amatch to my mother (65cMs) and me on FTDNA. Julia had no tree online, so I needed to do some sleuthing. I hope the steps to follow will show you that even if your match doesn't have a tree you will
