It’s a new first cousin.

DNA image by Caroline Davis2010 via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

After years of researching, we are getting closer to determining my half-sister’s (Glennis) biological father. In AncestryDNA matches, Glennis had a new match with a woman, I’ll call “A,” with whom Glennis shares 1,045cM across 33 segments. Wow, other than me, this is now Glennis’ closest relation and “A” shares no DNA with me proving that the match is on her paternal line.

DNA Painter has a tool that provides possible relationships for various amounts of shared DNA. It indicates that is it a 100% probability that 1,045 cM of shared DNA is one of seven potential relationships, great-grandparent, Great-Aunt, Half-Aunt, 1^st Cousin. Because “A” is only a few years older than Glennis, I tentatively believe “A” is a 1^st cousin.

The good news is that I have already researched this potential family line and saw “A” on my tree. First cousins share grandparents, which suggests that Glennis’ grandparents are Joseph Franklin Stewart (1875-1940) and Stella Belinda Hemsworth (1883-____). In previous research, I had considered that two of Joseph and Stella’s grandchildren were very likely candidates. However, if that were the case then “A” would be a 1^st cousin, once removed. First cousins once removed share between 141 and 851 cM of DNA, so “A” must be closer than that.

Joseph and Stella had five sons that I know about. One of them is “A’s” father and can’t be Glennis’ father – “A” would then be a half-sibling and doesn’t share enough DNA to have that relationship. That leaves four sons as potential candidates. (Note: there is a nine-year gap in ages between two of the boys lending itself to the possibility of other candidates.)

Picking any of the four boys as the father, I need to look and see if all of the other DNA matches fit an expected DNA amount. (If not, then the relationship between Glennis and “A” must be one of the other possible relationships.)

Shared DNA Consistent?

So, if one of the uncles of “A” is Glennis’ biological father, then all of the known matches fit that relationship. The next step is to take a look at “A’s” uncles and determine if any or all of them are likely to have been in the right place at the right time to be Glennis’ biological father.

PS: If you are a descendant of Joseph Franklin Stewart (1875-1940) and Stella Belinda Hemsworth (1883-____), please consider testing with AncestryDNA® and help us determine who might be Glennis’ father.

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