When do I use "Confirmed with DNA"?

Question

Here's a question I've been meaning to ask for a while. When would be the best time to use "confirmed with DNA" as a status indicator for my immediate family? I'm talking parents, grandparents and great-grandparents.

Right now I have "confident" as a level for everyone up to five generations back. This is in part due to my grandparents being around, hearing stories, getting information and research I have done.

My dad and I recently took DNA tests. We're waiting for results. Would it be okay to put "confirmed with DNA " in that case? And what about the others? Like, I know for a fact who the first 30 people in the tree are and that they are related. I am just unsure when to use it.

Any help would be appreciated!

Answer 1

There are certain requirements that must be met before using "confirmed with DNA." You can find help here on "sourcing and confirmation."

Comments

Right. So I can only do it with my father right now? I understand. Thanks!

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Chris, that's not correct based on what you wrote:  "My dad and I recently took DNA tests. We're waiting for results."  You should not select "confirmed with DNA" until you have test results that confirm a relationship between two people.  The mere fact that you've both taken a DNA test confirms nothing.

"And what about the others?"  Again, only if/when DNA test results are consistent with the assumed relationship.  If you have a DNA match with a first cousin, you can mark each relationship between you and that first cousin as confirmed, which would include a pair of grandparents.  Same thing with a second cousin which would include relationships up to the shared great-grandparents.  The DNA match will include an estimate of the relationship which should be consistent with the paper genealogy.

 

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Okay. No problem. I'll confirm with DNA when I get the results back. Right now all I have so far is "confident" for the first thirty people in the tree. This is because of obvious stuff like:

1. My parents.

2. My grandparents.

3. Stories and documentation I've gotten over the years.

4. Censuses and documents from various sources.

Now. What if I have a great-aunt who took also took the test? She is my grandfather's sister. She took it and told me what she got. How do I fit her in afterward?

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Chris, since you're new to DNA, I suggest you start here. 

This article can help with connecting DNA tests to WikiTree, if needed.

John  

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Thanks.