If you use the genetic tests from Family Tree DNA, the results basically provide a probability that if you and another person, are an exact match, will have your Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) within a range of time that is marked backwards. For example, the 12 marker test gives you the following range: 7 generations (50%) likelihood & 29 generations (95%) likelihood. Moving up to the 25 marker test the 50% likelihood drops to a closer 3 generation match and the 95% probability to 13 generations. The 37-marker test brings you closer. For an exact match here there probability of a further to 2 generations (50%) and the 95% to 7 generations. (3 - FTDNA website) Sent from IPhone On Jan 14, 2012, at 4:16 PM, "edwilson" <ed.wilson@comcast.net<mailto:ed.wilson@comcast.net>> wrote: another example of random mutation--have a 3td cousin--our great grandparents were brother's--one born in 1839--the other in 1841--we match 64 of 67 with the 3 non matches off 1 number each--now here's the kicker I match 66 of 67 (and again the one non-match is off only 1)- back one more generation-with a non-surname wilson and the closest common birth I can document is his ancestor was born in 1800 and mine in 1801-(born within 5 miles of each other)--his ancestor's mother was 41 and the "father"was 54 and this was their only child--they had been married 25 yrs (she was 16 when married) when the "oops" occurred--this was in part of now hardy county w va--and at that time there were 12 related wilson adults who could have been the father--(or the "father" could be my ancestor-)- mine was one of a 14 child brood fathered by archibald wilson- (1749-1814)-and an older brother was benjamin wilson (1747-1827) who had 30 children --now if archibald was not the 1800 child's father and another related wilson was--then the common ancestor goes back one more generation--ie--william wilson (1722-1801)( he had a total of 11 children)--father of archibald and benjamin -et al---summary--dna is a great tool--however every now and then a "HUH" occurs---should note that the gentleman I match 66 of 67 wants no further discussion of the issue--I'am kit 8104 at family tree-have 111 marker's tested-- -----Original Message----- From: <mailto:18apatti43@comcast.net> 18apatti43@comcast.net<mailto:18apatti43@comcast.net> Sent: Saturday, January 14, 2012 12:56 PM To: <mailto:wilson@rootsweb.com> wilson@rootsweb.com<mailto:wilson@rootsweb.com> Subject: Re: [WILSON] Another DNA question Mutations are pretty random - they can occur anytime. Two brothers can be tested and have results that are one or two off at 37 markers (this is not usual, but *can* occur). Your results are well within what might be expected for a most recent common ancestor born ca. 1739. ----- Original Message ----- From: <mailto:swdyrkinnc@aol.com> swdyrkinnc@aol.com<mailto:swdyrkinnc@aol.com> To: <mailto:wilson@rootsweb.com> wilson@rootsweb.com<mailto:wilson@rootsweb.com> Date: Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:08:50 -0500 (EST) Subject: [WILSON] Another DNA question I have a DNA question that I hope some knowledgeable person can answer. This is not a Wilson line, although I have three of those, but I think someone might find the answer valuable, if we can figure it out. My brother had his DNA tested and matched with a male cousin with the same surname. We are 99% certain that both lines can trace back to a common ancestor six generations back. Here are the results of the testing: For the 12 marker test, there was a perfect match. For the 25 marker test, there was a perfect match. For the 37 marker test, there was a genetic distance of 2. This raises many questions. If the Y-DNA was tested and the common male ancestor, born 1739, was found, shouldn't the DNA be identical? If not, what accounts for the differences? Would a genetic distance of 2 be normal for only six generations back? Is a genetic distance of 2 attributable to a mutation, and again would that be normal for only six generations back? Is it possible that my brother and our cousin are not as closely related as we think? Thanks in advance for any help with this mystery. Sharon ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WILSON-request@rootsweb.com<mailto:WILSON-request@rootsweb.com> with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WILSON-request@rootsweb.com<mailto:WILSON-request@rootsweb.com> with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message