The unclear origins of Richard FOGGY.

Question

Having Y-DNA tested both myself and my father I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that we are alone in the world (or, at least, the Y-DNA tested population) - with no matches.

Except for one.

At the extreme edge of the definition of "match" I am a genetic distance of 4 (out of 37 markers) away from someone who inherits his Y-DNA from Richard Foggy.

Obscured by the mists of time, this individual and I share the inheritance of a man who lived some 20 or more generations ago.

Now, obviously, I'm not going to manage to join us at that distance. However, I would like to see if we can make clear the origins of the FOGGY line.

There is some suggestion, here, that the man who tested also matches someone with the name FERGUS.

I have not found any sources beyond the 1880 US Census to give me Richard's birth or death - can anyone help?

Comments

Update - I've just found the 1870 Census - he's Richard FAGRY in that year if I'm reading it correctly.

Answer 1

Hi Chris, I'm involved with a few different Y DNA projects. There are a few things I would suggest. For starters, when you can afford it, please upgrade to Big Y. It gives you SO much more information. Secondly, save your nickels so that when you find an identified 4th or 5 cousin from your dad's identified (through genealogical records) paternal line, get them DNA tested too. Start with the cheaper test just to be sure that documentary evidence squares with the DNA reality.

Please be sure that you check out the Discovery app on FTDNA - https://discover.familytreedna.com/ - especially the tab Suggested Projects - join some of them and you won't feel so alone. The projects are the soul of Y DNA research. They are really important so be sure to make use of the groups who can help you.

Comments

Hi Valorie,

Thanks for the advice. I've already tested at the Big Y 700 level - it is the other tester who has only tested at the 37 marker level. I may offer to upgrade him if he does not have the means.

On testing of cousins, I've tried reaching out to Willoughby's at the 3rd and 4th cousin level - with no luck so far. I only tested Dad because I was feeling lonely in the Y DNA world (we already had an autosomal match, so I knew his result in advance). We differ by 2 at the 111 level and I'm still awaiting his Big Y results.

Why test Dad at the Big Y level? I'm the administrator of the Willoughby surname project at FamilyTreeDNA, so it wasn't so much about the match and more about gathering evidence on mutation rates of different STRs and SNPs.

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Oh well done! I tested my hubby's brother for the same reason - so we could resolve some of those unnamed SNPs. Now to find a distant cousin who will test too. I'd like to find one for my father's kit too. It's a bit of an expensive part of the hobby, but will help future researchers long as we're gone.

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Thanks Valorie,

It looks like we're both playing the long game. I hope to, at least, help the research along - even if I don't ever discover the origins of my branch of the Willoughby line.

Good luck with your research!