Updating My Ancestry Tree

Have spent some time this weekend updating and adding to my personal tree at Ancestry.  I've neglected it for awhile, but with all of the work I've been doing with DNA matches, I felt I needed to get it as up to date as possible.

Many of the matches at 23andMe are in the 3rd to 4th cousin range, so I am focusing on my 4th-great grandparents and working the tree down to the present. Hopefully, this will make the tree as complete as possible for some of those closer matches, who might recognize a surname.  Most of my matches don't have a family tree online at all, but if I can point them to mine, perhaps they can find the match.

I've had great success in finding cousins through DNA autosomal matches and want to keep the momentum going.  First I have to input all the names in the trees, then I will go back and work on updating by adding photos and documents.  

If you think you and I might have a connection, the tree is available at http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/25951333/family

Surname Saturday : Allen

The ALLEN surname is in my maternal line.  The origins of the surname are Irish.

Stories and history :

Ahnentafel # 3764 : John Allen (1694-1771).  John was born August 3, 1694 in Ireland.  He married Amy Cox (1696-1778) in March 1719 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  They raised 9 children in Chester County, Pennsylvania and were members of the Society of Friends (Quaker).  Amy was born 1696 in New Castle County, Delaware and died September 13, 1778.  John died September 16, 1771 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Ahnentafel # 1882 : John Allen (1720-1754).  John was born February 8, 1720 in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania.  He married Phebe Scarlett (1772-1815) in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania.  They raised 7 children in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Phebe was born November 4, 1722 in Chester County, Pennsylvania and died in 1815 in Orange County, North Carolina.  John died October 1, 1754 in London Grove, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Ahnentafel # 941 : Hannah Allen (1741-1834).  Hannah was born 7th month, 10th day 1741 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  She married Nicholas Barker (1737-1826) on June 9, 1760 in Guilford County, North Carolina.  Nicholas was born 3rd month 8th day 1737 and died 3rd month 24th day 1826 in Randolph County, North Carolina.  They raised 7 children in Guilford County, North Carolina.  Hannah died 12th month 10th day 1834 in Randolph County, North Carolina.

Related blog posts :

• Today in my database : John Allen (b. February 8, 1719/20)

• Today in my database : John Allen (b. August 3, 1694)

Surname Saturday – create a post in which you discuss a surname and mention its origins, its geographical location(s) and how it fits into your genealogy research. Surname Saturday is an ongoing series at GeneaBloggers.

DNA : Mom's Top Ten Matches at 23andMe

Here is a screenshot of mom's top ten DNA matches at 23andMe.  Obviously, I am her closest match.  For privacy reasons, I've erased the last names of public matches.

Mom's closest match is Ellen, who shares 0.68% DNA and 5 segments and is predicted to be a 3rd to 4th cousin.  Though we've been corresponding, I've not yet made the connection because she hasn't shared any surnames in her family tree.  Other than stating she has Quaker ancestry, I don't know anything yet.

The next closest match is Raj, who shares 0.59% DNA and 3 segments and is also predicted to be a 3rd to 4th cousin.  Through correspondence, I was able to determine that Raj is mom's fourth cousin once removed, through common ancestors Francis S. Pierce and Rebecca Page.

The next closest match is Kenneth, who shares 0.42% DNA and 3 segments and is predicted to be a 3rd to 5th cousin.  We have not yet made any connections.

The next closest match is Mary, who shares 0.40% DNA and 3 segments and is predicted to be a 3rd to 5th cousin.  We have not yet made any connections.

Invitations to connect have been made to all of these DNA matches, though half of the top ten matches have not responded.  Knowing that one is predicted to be a 2nd to 3rd cousin is intriguing, as that individual should be in my family tree database.