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Family Tree Maternal Lines-Mum's The Word!    Published Monthly
Lesson 041...                                                                                                            2019 03 02

Defining The Problem...
The time it takes to collect data for all family tree members is staggering!
Collectively, recording it can consume a lifetime and still not be a complete history.

Specific DNA information is found exclusively in female DNA called "mtdna".
Passed only from mother-to-daughter, this helps define and map migratory routes used by ancestors.

An uncomfortable topic and scientific fact is that true paternal lines can almost never be confirmed.
While many feel that chastity belts weren't really worn, the concept was spawned for a reason.

Also, adoptive records may not have been well kept in the earlier times, and are usually "sealed" now.
Early adopted children were also treated as natural children in name and in most legal records.
It may not be nearly as simple as you might think to know if an ancestor was adopted.

We see that there are several problems ranging from record keeping to history, science and adultry.
Together these can create an almost total uncertainty, because as we get older, we realize things.
For the genealogist, the task at hand is piecing this all together with accuracy as its vanguard.


How Did That Happen?...
Time is always an issue for anyone, no matter what the endeavor is.
Problems become more noticable according to the projects size and its difficulty.
We must also realize that for the most part, we are building a family tree "from a distance".

Accepting others work in a copy/paste computer age has become something of a "norm" for many.
This is easily understood when you consider factors like lack of time or verification knowledge.
We've become so trusting of the "information highway" that we fail to understand it.

As uncomfortable as it is to discuss, relations outside the marriage have occured throughout history.
It isn't a "new-age" or "industrialized nation" behavior, and happens in females as well as males.
While some cases are found recorded as "illegitimate child", often it simply means "unwed".

Until the twentieth century, adopted children were considered as full family in all regards.
While adoption is a noble or loving concept, it's not accurate for genealogy history or family trees.
Recording persons as adopted or illegitimate is awkward, but can guide decendants to a true heritage.


Why Should We Try To Fix This?...
Accuracy.
Accuracy is the standard by which all family trees are measured.

Many family trees list thousands of persons, and it's exciting to see so much history within them.
But a smaller tree with only birth certificates shown for each member is trustworthy.
A birth certificate is the single document that all others "stem-from".

By concentrating on mother-to-mother lineage, the likelyhood of any errors is substantially reduced.
Additionally, all children of that family cell are automatically verified as her decendants.
Linked together, each family cell then contributes to an undeniable lineage.

Adopted persons records may be more difficult to access, especially if from modern times.
The lack of birth records for any sibling may also prove noteworthy in your records.
Sometimes children of previous or second marriages are mis-represented.

A family tree consisting mostly of maternal data is far more useful than one of standard compilations.
The paternal style runs predominately within several surnames, with mothers at each level.
The maternal style crosses new family surnames at almost every generation.


Where Can We Find The Maternal Data?...
The very same places you've used for paternal lines!
In collecting maternal line data you'll be collecting family info just as-if it were the paternal line.
The time or place required to collect or verify the data is no different, yet holds a higher level of trust!

While paternal certainty can only be taken as it's documented, maternal parentage is obvious.
A child from the womb of its mother cannot be disputed (Except by todays "Surrogate mothers").
There are many types of "official documents" that list parents, but birth certificates are always best.

The MTDNA that shows specific migratory histories is passed only from mother to daughter.
This scientific fact is a process that is not alterable by any means of extraction.
It is a specific DNA coding made up of 16,568 letters in length.

There may be times when even the best of plans must "adapt".
If a maternal line reaches an end, but the paternal side continues, consider a "zig-zag".
Fill in the last known mother and her children and spouse. Then continue on, starting with his mother.


What Did We Learn From This?...
By collecting maternal line data you'll be collecting family info just "as-if" it were the paternal line.
The time this takes is exactly the same, but will yield far more information per manhour!

Following maternal lines gives family tree viewers an "automatic insight" regarding paternal surnames.
Each paternal surname is usually then known in an instant, simply by looking at the treeline.
A researcher then has a better description of the attached person(s) to look for.

Three person info at each level as opposed to two person info is always better.
Mother/daughter method can accomplish this in much faster times.
It's also possible that the "grandparents" may be listed.

Important migratory history information isn't found in Male DNA, but is found only within female DNA.
This is a critical scientific breakthrough! It means that there are no outside variables to consider!
So when your research reaches a historical impass, you may still have an area to research!

Most people are usually interested in their parents surnames with minor interest on the maternal side.
After the initial excitement wears off and this method is tried, a clearer understanding is made.
This method touches many surnames and shows evidence of how we are all related.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Use most of your time following maternal lines rather than paternal lines for greater information.
A maternal style family tree available to the public is of better use to many more people.

Second...
Follow all decendants in your family tree that carry your surname in all their spelling variations.
At each of the decendants record their spouse and children (Some may connect later).

Third...
Begin recording maternal data in mother-to-mother fashion, continuing until reaching an impass.
Do this for each spouse and the childrens spouses (Paternal  zig-zag's may be necessary).



As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

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