NPE or NKCA

It appears that people get very frustrated when they can’t figure out their DNA matches. I belong to several groups that deal with DNA and their matches. I find that people jump to many conclusions when dealing with their matches and make broad statements that I find hard to believe.

When people can’t find a direct match to their DNA matches, many jump to the conclusion that there must be a NPE (Non Paternal Event), which I hate that term, I like the one someone used called “Not the Parent Expected”. How can anything be a non-paternal event? We all have parents, even if we don’t know who they are. Okay, off that soap box for now, I know I am going to lose that battle anyway.

An acronym that I made up is NKCA (Not Known Common Ancestor). I believe when I find a match and I can’t figure out how we are related, it might be because of a NKCA. I haven’t discovered all my Ancestors yet, and this was one of the reason’s I tested, to build out my tree.  

This is different than UCA (Unknown Common Ancestor). Unknown Common Ancestor is when we match, however I might already have the common ancestor, I am not sure which one. I have a few branches that my matches and I have more than one set of common ancestors. Perhaps we share DNA from all the common ancestors, or perhaps we don’t. Or perhaps I know you match on a well develop line of mine, however, I am not quite sure where on that line you fall. Maybe you don’t have a tree and your username gives me no clues, or I haven’t researched down all the lines and thus haven’t come across you as a descendant of one of my ancestors. I might even need to build out your small tree to connect you back to the common Ancestor.

Anyway, we can’t always jump to the conclusion that a NPE is the reason you don’t match with your DNA matches. What if you accidentally attached the wrong ancestor to your tree and researched a line that really isn’t your line. Common names or areas where you family names get repeated can get confusing and errors can happen. What if your match’s tree is not accurate? Keep this in mind as you are trying to figure out your DNA matches.

Below are some of the statements people make online that I just can’t help but question. My goal isn't to shame people, however when the question gets asked over and over again, I must remind myself that perhaps the person didn't know it as been asked before and as I was in the beginning, just plain confused about DNA.

Statement One: I am trying to find a common ancestor with a 4^th cousin, but we have no match for six generations back. Am I missing something? My thoughts:  Yes you are missing something, are you sure you found all six generations back? This would be your 3^rd great grandparents and at this point you have 62 direct ancestors. I have been researching my family for over 35 years and I have only found 58 out of the 62 ancestors. Plus have you research back down each line of your ancestors to find all the living descendants? I find more DNA matches on the lines that are well researched and where I have traced the lines back down to the living. Since this was one of my genealogy goals when I started doing genealogy, well before DNA testing came onto the scene, I was ahead of the game when I jumped into DNA. Finally, DNA testing companies are estimating the relationship and thus you may need to check back one or two more generations. This could mean you need to figure out 254 ancestors and their descendants before you may connect to your DNA match.

From The World's Most Fascinating Genealogy Blog, #111: Up the Ladder Posted on March 17, 2013 by stoff <https://relatedhowagain.wordpress.com/2013/03/17/111-up-the-ladder/>

Statement Two: I don’t match any of my father’s ancestors; therefore he can’t be my father, correct? Question by Me:  You can’t jump right to that conclusion. Perhaps your father’s parent's aren't who he think they are. For example: The daughter of my first cousin tested and she matches me through our common ancestor on my father’s side and her grandmother, her father’s mother is my aunt. All those matches are great. However, I haven’t found anyone further back on her father’s side. Therefore, her father’s father might not be the one on record, or perhaps none of her closer relatives have tested yet. I know my aunt had 8 children, and she is the only one of my aunt’s descendants that has tested and thus I have nothing to compare against. I haven’t built out my aunt’s husband’s tree very far, however a niece of my aunt’s husband had contacted me about him in my tree. I asked if she tested, and she stated no. If she would test and if she doesn’t match my cousin, then I know there is a problem. It still doesn’t automatically mean that her grandfather is not her father’s father. Perhaps her grandfather is not the biological son of his known father. The breakdown could occur on any generation. Until I find people who have tested back to each know common ancestor, and can prove they match or don’t match. Keep in mind; you may need to test multiple people, because what if the tester has the NPE. You need to check their matches to see if the expected ancestors are coming up. Confusing and a lot of work, however no one said genealogy is easy.

Statement Three: I have tested and I don’t match my mom or Dad. My thoughts:  I need more to go on. Have your parent’s tested, because no testing company can say who your parent’s are if they don’t test. To be honest, no testing company can say who our grandparents or great grandparents, etc. are, if they don’t test. DNA will tell us who our DNA matches are. From those DNA matches, we can surmise who are common ancestors are and thus figure out our lineage. DNA is a tool, a research tool that is combined with traditional genealogical research to figure out our genealogy history.

Finally, if your parent's did test, make sure you all tested with the same company and give the company enough time to update all your results before jumping to the wrong conclusion. For whatever reason, you results may be available, however all your matches might no totally upload, give it about a week and then gently approach your parents. Humans are not perfect and neither are our parents, so if you find unexpected results, be gentle.

In closing, my disclaimer. Again, I wasn't trying to shame anyone for the questions they ask, however to give my thoughts and my opinions on the subject. I am relatively new to DNA research, having tested myself about 5 years ago, I find that DNA research is a different mind set and uses some unique skills. As with genealogy in general, we should not jump to conclusions but examine the results and perhaps come up with theories and then see if we can prove or disprove our theories with the evidence. If you are serious about using DNA research, my advice is to learn as much as you can through books, blogs, joining Facebook groups and watching webinars.