I have a question regarding three Irish brothers. For forty plus years I have been researching my Purtell line from near Kilcolman (Shanagolden area) of Co Limerick, Ireland. I discovered my 2nd gr-grandfather, John Purtell b cir 1816 probably in Kilcolman parish. In the Kilcolman Parish rcds, I find a Laurence Purtell who was the sponsor in several of John's children's baptisms. I have thought that Laurence might be John's brother as he was born abt 1810. Laurence emigrated to Binghamton, NY about 1849. About a year later, my John followed Laurence to Binghamton, NY. Within four years, my John had moved further west to Michigan. Then there was a Robert Purtell, said to be related somehow to my John. Robert was born abt 1808 (probably Kilcolman) and emigrated to LaSalette, Ontario, Canada in the 1840's. Members of Robert's family eventually made their way to Midland, Michigan. Enter DNA testing. My brother and my Uncle (who's mother was a Purtell) both DNA match the great grandson of Robert Purtell from LaSalette. (My sister and I do *not* match the LaSalette Purtell's.) And now my brother and "Purtell" uncle also match a descendant of Laurence's from Binghamton. My question is, is there a way (using our DNA matches) to figure out if Robert b 1808, Laurence b 1810 and John b 1816 might have really been brothers? I don't post much to this list because I just don't understand very much about the testing. Thanks for any help, Patti in Lakeville, MIchigan