Success Using DNA Matches’ Small Trees

A common complaint from AncestryDNA users is that matches don’t have trees or have very small trees. But, we can often work with both of these situations and still successfully identify our DNA match and how they’re connected to us. Today’s example is from a small tree.

Small Tree

This is an example of one of my matches’ actual small tree, though all names have been changed. When you click on the three grandparent names, it also gives a place of death. So, what can I do with this small tree? I can search for other trees that have these individuals and see if those trees have more generations.

Searching Public Member Trees

To search a public member tree on Ancestry.com, just go to “Search” then “Public Member Trees.” Then, enter the known information for either a single person, like Bernard Knock, or a couple, like Paul Liddel and Mary Jenkins. You can try with or without the exact boxes clicked.

Connection: Found!

This led me to only two trees – the original tree and the tree shown above. As you can see, this tree goes back a lot farther. And, even better, I see my 3rd great grandparents: Johann F HOLTHOEFER and Maria C SCHULTE! This is great news as I already suspected this match was related to this part of my family because of shared matches.

“Do” Genealogy

The last step is to do the genealogy and make sure all of the connections are correct! I actually already had Johann and Maria (Schulte) Holthoefer’s daughter, Marianna, on my tree. And I had her daughter, Christine Petri(e). But, I did not have a spouse of children for Christine. So, I only had to find connections for the last few generations.

Tips

I have used this technique many times, but you often need two things to be successful:

1. 1. 1. You should have an idea of what part of your family your DNA match belongs to, which can usually be identified by looking at their shared matches. This helps you to recognize when you’ve found a potential shared ancestor or shared line.
      2. You need to have enough information about one or more people on their tree that you can be fairly certain you have found the right person. For example, you could use an unusual first or last name, an included middle name, or an exact date and place for birth or death.