I may not be unusual, but I have a fair number of “double cousins.” These relationships are in my database, most of the relatively recent ones are “in my head” and I can easily use my database to confirm what they are, but I’m starting to think that I need to keep a list of the “closer” ones handy when I’m looking through my DNA matches. These multiple relationships occasionally make it more difficult to sort out some of my matches into the likely family from which the match comes.
I’ll start with my one set of second great grandparents–Johann and Noentje (Grass) Ufkes.
The Ufkeses
My great-great-grandparents Johann Hinrichs Frederichs Ufkes (1838-1924) and Noentje Lena (Grass) Ufkes (1848-1902) had nine children who grew to adulthood and married. The Ufkes family lived in Bear Creek Township, Hancock County, Illinois for most of their married life. They are buried in Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Hancock County.
Their youngest child was my great-grandfather–Fred Ufkes. Seven of his siblings married individuals who were also related to me through three of my other great-grandparents.
Here’s a brief rundown of the double relationships.
Johann Ufkes (1879-1955)--my great-grandfather Ufkes’ brother
- Spouse Elske Huls (1879-1949)
- Elske was the daughter of Sarke Tjarks Fecht Huls (my ggg-grandmother Janssen’s sister)
- Spouse Wilhelm Janssen Schuster (1872-1919)
- Wilhelm was the son of Altje Goldenstein Schuster (my gg-grandfather Goldenstein’s sister)
- Spouse Poppo Fooken (1870-1914)
- Not a relative to me!
- Spouse Altje Garrelts (1886-1972)
- Altje was the daughter of Wilhelmina Goldenstein Garrelts (my gg-grandfather Goldenstein’s sister)
- Spouse Anna Huls (1892-1930)
- Anna was the granddaughter of Sarke Tjarks Fecht Huls (my gg-grandfather Janssen’s sister)
- Spouse Antje Schuster (1887-1966)
- Antje was the daughter of Altje Goldenstein Schuster (my gg-grandfather Goldenstein’s sister)
- One of Eielt’s sons married a first cousin of my Grandfather Neill just to keep things interesting.
- Spouse Margaret Wetterich (1898- )
- No relation to me
- Spouse Tena Bruns (1895-1984)
- Tena was the granddaughter of Ubbe Gerdes Bruns (brother of my ggg-grandmother Fecht)
- Tena was also the granddaughter of Wilhelmina Goldenstein Garrelts ( my gg-grandfather Goldenstein’s sister)
- Spouse Trientje (Tena) Janssen (1896-1986)
I’ve got more double connections to write up, but I’m starting to think that a list of the closer ones will be helpful enough in sorting my matches. My list will include references to a sibling (or first cousin) of an ancestor marrying a sibling (or first cousin) of another ancestor–particularly from my great-great-grandparent generation and on down.
My great-grandmother Trientje (Janssen) Ufkes’ sister Ella married a first cousin of my great-grandmother Habben. And just to keep me on my toes, three of the children of my great-great-grandparents Samuel and Annie (Murphy) Neill married grandchildren of James and Elizabeth (Chaney) Rampley–including their son Charlie (1875-1948) who married Fannie Rampley (1883-1965)-they are my great-grandparents.
Sorting DNA matches can be a challenge when there’s no overlap between families. When there is such overlap (and it happens to all genealogists to some extent), keeping it in the forefront of your mind can reduce the confusion.
Or at least remind you that the confusion can be blamed on your ancestors.
Nan Bailey says:
This is a very good point and the issue is one we all must address, but how do we ensure our work doesn’t get trashed if we don’t have a family member wanting to continue our research, or a local repository will not take it when we die.
I am interested in your suggestions for this dilemma and in your readers thoughts as well, as this very issue has been brought up recently in my local family history group.
Lynn says:
It is reassuring to me that an expert as yourself can make mistakes. (I make plenty.)
You listed Trientje Aslena Ufkes (1877-1934)–my great-grandfather Ufkes’ sister with spouse Wilhelm as a daughter of….
I don’t think that’s what you meant.
mjnrootdig says:
No it certainly is not what I meant. Thanks for catching that, I’ll fix it.