I finally jumped into the DNA testing and selected Ancestry with the idea that it could be used as a tool to help break down some long standing brick walls.  At this point, I have matches with 13 2nd and 3rd cousins and 78 4th to 6th cousins.  Some of the 2nd and 3rd cousins I already knew but a few of them I didn’t know at all or wasn’t sure about so I sent them a message through Ancestry.  Now, nearly two months out, I have not received a response from any of this group. I also sent a message to all 78 of the 4th to 6th cousin matches and to this point have received a response from 14 of them and some of those responses were only after sending a second message.  Without going into a long dissertation as to how it was determined, the most disappointing one of these was a match that reveals the father of my grandfather that I have been searching for, for over 30 years. I would love to be able to communicate with this person but still, after several attempts to make contact, I have heard nothing from her. From my experience so far, it appears as though the vast majority of those having DNA testing done have little or no interest in genealogy and making contact with distant relations.  This being the case, the value of using the results to assist in genealogical research is greatly reduced. What have others been experiencing in this regard? Are my expectations too high? Is there something wrong with my approach?  

Though I enjoy the DNA for a variety of reasons, your experience isn't unusual. Particularly as prices came down, it seems more and more do it just for the ancestry estimates and not for genealogy. Most new matches don't have a tree listed which generally means they aren't that interested. They probably have no idea of their tree and couldn't help even if they did respond. I have over 1000 matches and have had only a few really useful connections with new information. I would still say it was worth it to me and I'd do it again. Expecting it to break down brickwalls is unlikely to get results though. Good luck. On Fri, 18 May 2018 13:45:35 +0000 (UTC), "T. Wood via LANCSGEN" wrote: I finally jumped into the DNA testing and selected Ancestry with the idea that it could be used as a tool to help break down some long standing brick walls. What have others been experiencing in this regard? Are my expectations too high? Is there something wrong with my approach?

I agree with all that you said with the exception that I know I have solved, to a great degree, my greatest brick wall; that is the identity of my great grandfather. That being said, a thought that I failed to mention earlier was that in my upbringing it was common courtesy to respond to a non hostile request, even if it is just to say "I am not interested, do not bother me". It would take less than a minute or two. On Friday, May 18, 2018, 10:10:18 AM EDT, Linda <linsfam@myfairpoint.net> wrote: Though I enjoy the DNA for a variety of reasons, your experience isn't unusual.  Particularly as prices came down, it seems more and more do it just for the ancestry estimates and not for genealogy.  Most new matches don't have a tree listed which generally means they aren't that interested.  They probably have no idea of their tree and couldn't help even if they did respond.  I have over 1000 matches and have had only a few really useful connections with new information.  I would still say it was worth it to me and I'd do it again.  Expecting it to break down brickwalls is unlikely to get results though. Good luck. On Fri, 18 May 2018 13:45:35 +0000 (UTC), "T. Wood via LANCSGEN"  wrote: I finally jumped into the DNA testing and selected Ancestry with the idea that it could be used as a tool to help break down some long standing brick walls.  What have others been experiencing in this regard? Are my expectations too high? Is there something wrong with my approach? _______________________________________________ :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: GENUKI - a virtual reference library of genealogical information.  http://www.genuki.org.uk/ Contact the list administrator  at LancsGen-admin@rootsweb.com :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: _______________________________________________ Email preferences: http://bit.ly/rootswebpref Unsubscribe https://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/postorius/lists/lancsgen@rootsweb.com/ Archives: https://lists.rootsweb.ancestry.com/hyperkitty/list/lancsgen@rootsweb.com/ Privacy Statement: https://ancstry.me/2JWBOdY Terms and Conditions: https://ancstry.me/2HDBym9 RootsWeb is funded and supported by Ancestry.com and our loyal RootsWeb community

I haven't had it done yet but I am not interested in contacting cousins, I just want to know which countries I came from in the distant past. Peter

Then don't bother. Ancestry did not give countries just an area such as Ireland, Scotland and Wales is classed as one country. Another is South Asia. This is about nine countries. Of what use is this to you ? Oh! I forgot to mention the 'Tit Bit', I have one percent native American. Of what use would you find this except for a laugh with your mates. But with family history, I love the puzzle. Just how did a native American get involved with my family ?. As for South Asian, my reading is 41%. Now that's a mystery I am working on and through family history research I have located similar DNA relations in England and the USA.. The puzzle is how are we related? Regards, Mike Morris   Toronto Canada   GEDmatch A540721 From: Peter Metcalfe <Peter-redfern@runbox.com> To: lancsgen <lancsgen@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, May 18, 2018 12:48 PM I haven't had it done yet but I am not interested in contacting cousins, I just want to know which countries I came from in the distant past. <snip>