I have a DNA match (called “A”) with whom I share enough DNA that our relationship is probably between 4th and 6th cousins. A and I have several shared matches. The one with whom I share the most DNA (called “B”) is someone I know to be my 1st cousin once removed.
This tells me nothing about how much DNA A and B share or what their relationship probably is. What I know is that:
- A and I are probably between 4th and 6th cousins.
- B and I are first cousins, once removed.
- A and B are DNA matches to each other as well.
I do not know what A and B’s relationship is to each other or how potentially precise that relationship is. They could be related more distantly to each other than they are to me. There is a chance that all three of us do not share the same ancestor.
For those having difficulty with the shared relationships, here’s a similar situation. A and I used to work together. B and I used to work together. A and B used to work together. Those three statements could be true even A, B, and I never worked together at the same place at the same time.
2 Responses
I like your “worked together” analogy, it helps me. Thank you!
You are welcome! I’m glad it helped.