Autosomal DNA 1st cousin mystery

[darkerhorse]

From what I've seen in matching my family photos there's a positive bias for same gender and similar age.

[MarcuccioV]

From what I've seen in matching my family photos there's a positive bias for same gender and similar age.

That may be. But this is just reinforcement for the close DNA match. THAT is definitive. I've resourced many articles on DNA matches, and ALL indicate no errors at that level (not even close to that level).

BTW, in the 2 pics above, Mystery cousin is around 60 and my mom in her early 40's...

[MarcuccioV]

Have you matched photos of Deborah and your mother's twin brother?

Yes. Several times. Varies on pic, as some are odd angles or too blurry for much enhancement. The best pic compared at 52%. And I've been told parents/children don't always match up well.

Take that as you will...

[MarcuccioV]

In comparison, my mom/grandmother only match at 49%...

[MarcuccioV]

UPDATE: I sent another brief message to her with the facial compare findings (including a 59% match to my grandfather).

Her response indicated strongly that she has accepted the truth (that she is my 1st cousin and an illegitimate child of my uncle) but she did express concern about being accepted by her "siblings".

Unfortunately that is beyond my control but I assured her I accept her for who she is with open arms...

[darkerhorse]

She had no idea she was illegitimate before you contacted her?

[darkerhorse]

I think you've said before she suspected something.

[MarcuccioV]

She had no idea she was illegitimate before you contacted her?

She was 'uncertain' of her origins is probably the best description. I found out through researching her that she referred to her mom as her "birth mother" (an odd choice of words). She DID express (more than once) that she was NOT adopted. I have no idea who raised her. I found her CA birth index record and some photos from a local HS yearbook.

Since she had no context as to her origins, she was "new" to all the information I shared with her. She has expressed much appreciation for my diligent research.

By the way, she referred to the "revelation" as a "shock"...

[darkerhorse]

That is a big deal. Shocking no doubt.

[MarcuccioV]

That is a big deal. Shocking no doubt.

She messaged again. She is now comfortable and relieved in knowing the facts. She has asked me to be kind-of a 'liaison' between her and her half-siblings (my maternal 1st cousins). She would like to get to know them and explain her side of the situation from what she knows (she hasn't told me yet, either).

She understands there could be issues, and respects their potential concerns. She has said that even if the two of us are the only ones that know and accept it, she is okay with that. I promised to do what I can.

I think of the 4 of them, only one might be a problem, as she was always a bit "uptight" and closer to her mother. But she is 69 now, so hopefully she has mellowed with age to the point where she can let bygones be bygones. Everyone directly involved with what happened is long deceased, and certainly Deborah is not to blame for what transpired, despite her being a product of it.

We'll see what happens. Good thoughts appreciated. I can't wait to meet her myself.

[MarcuccioV]

UPDATE: The "mystery" is solved. It is as I thought (and researched). We spoke on the phone for almost 3 hours..! She had corroborating evidence that until I connected with her had no context. It proves without a doubt that she IS in fact my uncle's daughter. Hidden for 62 years...

[Lenauk]

UPDATE: The "mystery" is solved. It is as I thought (and researched). We spoke on the phone for almost 3 hours..! She had corroborating evidence that until I connected with her had no context. It proves without a doubt that she IS in fact my uncle's daughter. Hidden for 62 years...

Do you guys know each other's haplogroups?

[MarcuccioV]

UPDATE: The "mystery" is solved. It is as I thought (and researched). We spoke on the phone for almost 3 hours..! She had corroborating evidence that until I connected with her had no context. It proves without a doubt that she IS in fact my uncle's daughter. Hidden for 62 years...

Do you guys know each other's haplogroups?

They wouldn't match. Her dad was my mom's twin brother, so she would not have gotten mtDNA from him, only from HER mother...

[Lenauk]

UPDATE: The "mystery" is solved. It is as I thought (and researched). We spoke on the phone for almost 3 hours..! She had corroborating evidence that until I connected with her had no context. It proves without a doubt that she IS in fact my uncle's daughter. Hidden for 62 years...

Do you guys know each other's haplogroups?

They wouldn't match. Her dad was my mom's twin brother, so she would not have gotten mtDNA from him, only from HER mother...

As in they would have a similar heritage like I explained to you about the Sidon_BA Levantine

[MarcuccioV]

Do you guys know each other's haplogroups?

They wouldn't match. Her dad was my mom's twin brother, so she would not have gotten mtDNA from him, only from HER mother...

As in they would have a similar heritage like I explained to you about the Sidon_BA Levantine

She has not uploaded to any other sites yet. But I'd assume she would have to (at least to some extent) since we share a pair of grandparents.