I spoke last week about my DNA Conundrum and its problems. Well, one week on and in true Victor Meldrew fashion, ‘I don’t believe it’ after a distant cousin’s details were forwarded to me. This one though stood out above all the others I have seen to date.
Welcome Cousin
Welcome to Cyril Kwartanga Mbutha from Nigeria. A 6th to 8th cousin through matching DNA with mine. Well, I am surprised and I wonder which side of the family we are related? He doesn’t look Welsh, but that’s just me making an assumption. There’s no common ancestor either to shine a light on how we might be related.
Ethnicity
Looking at the ethnicity mix of my new cousin Cyril it is listed as 10% Irish, 15% Senegal, 15% Ghana, and 60% Nigerian. Not even a Gnat’s kn**cker of Welsh in there. I am tempted to contact him to see if he is as surprised as I am that we are ‘brethren’.
Who’s Your Daddy?
Of course, there’s still the question of which ancestor he is related to. If it was a male Jones then he would surely have the surname Jones, but if it’s through the female line then I wonder who would have ventured to make a new life in Africa. It could be that the DNA traces back to long before the late 1700s which is as far as I have traced to date.
Headaches
For now, I think I will avoid contacting him, it could cause more problems than I already have regarding my genealogy. I never anticipated my DNA would give me such a headache. I know people who have found whole generations of trees through taking the test, new cousins, and even people who have found that they were adopted, but I have never known of anyone finding a distant cousin from Africa.
More Genealogy
I shall leave it here for now, but if I do find any more out I will certainly post about it here. Meanwhile, last week’s blog is here: My DNA Conundrum.
And of course, Ancestry’s website.
Maybe Cyril would like to share that bench with you Trev? I’m all for erring on the side of caution. I used to work with a Trevor Jones many years ago and he was definitely Welsh! Sadly, he is no longer with us but joining in that heavenly choir as only the Welsh can do. Looking forward to your next family history instalment! Lynn
Thank you, Lynn. Yes, Trevor Jones is or was quite a popular Welsh name. Unfortunately, I have never been able to sing, which is unusual for a Welshman. 😊
I often wonder just how relevant these tests are. I mean, how far back to they go?
Good question. I have known people have great success with the tests, but at the moment mine seem to be throwing up some strange results. Maybe in time more will be revealed. Thank you, both. 😊
Perhaps he would like details of your bank account so he could get to know you better!
A hint of sarcasm there, Peter? Thank you. 😊
It sounds like you’ve had an interesting experience learning about a distant cousin through DNA testing. It can be surprising to find out about distant family connections, especially when there is no clear connection through a common ancestor. It’s great that you are welcoming your new cousin, regardless of the circumstances of your relationship 👍😀
Thank you, It certainly was unexpected and fascinating. 😊
I know the sort of issues you have Trev. The various tag ends of my family also leave me scratching my head. I too am cautious about contacting some of these long lost kin. However, My mother always talked about the families emerald mines, and if contacted regarding my inheritance I’ll be glad to take my share.
Yes, it is mind boggling. Good luck with any inheritance and thank you, Lou. 😊
The whole DNA thing is very interesting. Stuff happens.
It certainly is, Herb. Thank you 😊
I think if your research goes back far enough then you will find out that we are all related.
Back to Adam & Eve. Thank you 😊
What a surprise. Maybe we’re all related under the skin.
Can I ask a question. When you set up your self hosted website with WordPress.org did you use a code for the Reader or was it set up automatically?
Thank you, Sue. As for the question I am sure I used the Jetpack plugin which enabled me to connect with the reader. 😊
I didn’t get this reply via notifications, and just though I’d check. Thank you for leaving the answer. I was asking because Derrick Knight’s team still haven’t connected to his reader.
I think if we could all trace our DNA back far enough we would discover all sorts of interesting relations. I read that 1 in 200 men are related to Genghis Khan!
Thank you, Carolyn. Or Atilla the Hun. 😊
My scam antenna went up the moment I read “Nigeria.” Remember that old email scam about a Nigerian prince? I wouldn’t contact this person and certainly wouldn’t give them any information about myself. I think Peter’s Pondering has the right idea.
I won’t be contacting them, but there must be something in the DNA to connect with them even if it’s a small amount. Thank you, Susan. 😊
That’s an interesting gene mix. I have refused to allow myself to do this DNA test thing… I probably never will but I do know I was adopted.
I know a couple of people who have been adopted and done it and found brothers and sisters they knew nothing about. They are very happy about it. Thank you, John. 😊
6th to 8th cousin is pretty far back – this might help you sort it out http://fh.familysearch.org/system/files/team/ait/images/blog/cousin-calculator-2.jpg
Thank you, Eileen that’s very kind of you and very useful. 😊
I wonder what Cyril would think
I imagine he has had the same message as me. I wonder how far he has traced his ancestry? Thank you, Derrick. 😊
Happy new year Sir. God bless you, take care
Thank you and the same to you. 😊
I hear you, Trev. Ancestry has a lot of quirks. My maternal great great grandfather and grandmother were Germans who came to America in the 1800s. Both are verified as my ancestors, and yet, according to Ancestry.com, I have no German ancestry.
Thank you, Mitch. I thought I would have at least a couple of drops of English as I was born and bred there, but no.😊
Very interesting!
Thank you again, Lisa 😊
What percent DNA? Do they give confindence levels? Do you have any relatives in common? I have not uploaded dna to ancestry. I have uploaed it to Myheritage and it gives a percentage of DNA and shared relatives.
Yes, they give a breakdown of the shared DNA and although it’s not high, it’s something like greater than 5%. No common ancestor, which makes me think it goes way back before anyone I or they have researched. Thank you. 😊
I was contaced by someone on 23 and me and she said i was her half sister. Wrong. We only shared 1% dna. We are maybe 3rd cousins. There are over 5000 people with some shared DNA but most are under 1% and low confidence.
Glad a family member did ours 😁
Thank you, Susie. 😊
I, too, have reservations about these DNA tests given they scroll back so far. I have had bloodwork results be a “false positive”. Be cautious.
Thank you Gail. I will be cautious. 🙏
Never took the test. For sure, I have horse thieves and renegades in my tree.
I think everyone as someone a little dubious in their family history. Thank you, Barbara. 😊
Please do contact your cousin and ask him if he’s the Nigerian prince who keeps emailing me.
Lol, I’m on to it, Jim. 😉
When you are 100% real genuine authentic old sod there is no end to what they will make up about you. Just be glad there isn’t a DNA test for “non-binary” which would mean we are all screwed.
Thank you, Josie. You just made my head hurt. 😃
hahaha I don´t believe either. Maybe they mixed the samples? …. Maybe not and you happen to look Irish, but 60% Nigerian?! … mmmm…
Lol, maybe they did mix them up. Thank you. 😊
“Not even a Gnat’s kn**cker …” 😆
DNA and genealogy is pretty fascinating, I’m sure those of us who haven’t delved into it would probably be in for a surprise or two. Small world indeed! 🌍
Thank you, Cheryl 👏