Thursday, December 26, 2013

His Westmoreland DNA Solved A Laurens County, SC Mystery

I met him five months ago when I visited his mom in the hospital here in Baltimore.  We talked for about an hour.  Within that hour we spoke about how we are connected (his great-grandfather and my grandfather were brothers) and that I got myself DNA tested.  He seemed excited and stated that he would have his DNA tested too.

On September 28, 2013, my Baltimore cousin emailed to let me know that he got the results of his DNA test.  He showed up as a match for my uncle and me.  While speaking with one of my matches from Alabama, I mentioned that I received a new match; I called out his Ancestry.com “handle”.  She immediately stated that the handle sounds familiar.  She scrolled down her list of matches and there he was, our Baltimore cousin.   My Alabama match and I had been talking for some time trying to figure out which side of the family connected us.  I told her it was my dad’s side because she looks just like two cousins of mine; I even emailed her a picture to confirm the connection.  My Baltimore cousin’s DNA set us both (actually me) on the right path!
Remember my post “Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way”?  This is where my North Carolina DNA relative gets tied in too.  We talked on the phone about three times.  She called me on Christmas Eve since she had a little down time.  I believe she was just as anxious as me to know how we are connected since we are listed as 2nd to 3rd cousins.  She started going down her list of matches; she called out my uncle’s handle, my PA cousin’s handle, and then the Pièce de résistance; she called out my Baltimore cousin’s handle!!!  We are connected through the Westmoreland’s of South Carolina.

Much thanks to my Baltimore cousin for catching the vision and valuing family and the ties that bind.

Just got my dad tested…cannot wait to see what his DNA brings to the table!

16 comments:

  1. Congratulations on a great find and connection.

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  2. Isn't it great when the pieces start to come together! Congratulations on your discoveries. Makes me wish more people would do DNA testing. There are lots more puzzles to be solved!

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    1. Yes! I talk about DNA testing all the time with relatives and people I meet...I have gotten several people to take the plunge.

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  3. Congratulations Delores. Isn't it great to be able to solidify a connection? Can't wait to here about the discoveries you make once your dad's results come back!

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    1. Yes Maurice...and I will keep you informed on my dad's DNA.

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  4. The wonders of DNA testing, helping to connect family. Congratulations and I look forward to the results of your Dad's test.

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  5. That was Great! I love when I get those! and other's who are just as eager. Continue on. We are doing Pioneer work now. It's all gonna pay forward.

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    1. Pioneer work it is! Thanks for the encouragement.

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  6. Congrats Delores, and great post! To piece all this together is priceless. I know how exciting this must be for you and your family. Looking forward to part 2 of your story, and the connections from your dads DNA results. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi J....I appreciate your comments...I am still waiting for my dad's results. You are so right, it is exciting piecing things together! Part 2 is coming to a blog near you.

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