What is a collateral ancestor? In genealogy, collateral relatives are the siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other family members who branch off from your direct line. They may not be your direct ancestors, but they often hold the clues, stories, and records that can help fill in the gaps of your family history.
During the COVID years, I was contacted by a cousin who found me through my blog. She was researching her Logan family and reached out, hoping I might be able to help. At first, I wasn’t sure how much information I could offer. Most of what I knew came from my own research, but we soon discovered we shared an interest in the Logans of Restalrig and had a DNA connection. I shared what I knew about the family, the Logan clans, and a few resources that might help her continue her search.
Several months later, she mentioned that she had old family photographs of some of her Logan relatives. My first thought was that they probably wouldn’t have much relevance to my own line. Fortunately, I was wrong.
I’ve often encouraged researchers to “go sideways” and learn about collateral relatives, not just direct ancestors. This was a perfect example of why. Among her collection was a photograph of my third-great-grandfather, Lemuel Logan (1797–1869). Until that moment, I had never seen a picture of him.
These photographs were found in an old album that belonged to her great-grandfather, who was my second cousin, twice removed. What makes the story even more interesting is that she descends from Lemuel’s first wife, while I descend from his second wife. Without the records, photographs, and stories preserved by another branch of the family, I might never have seen an image of my third-great-grandfather.
This experience is a great reminder of why collateral research matters. Family history is not just about tracing a single line backward. It is about understanding the entire family and the connections between its branches. The relatives who seem unrelated to your immediate research question may be the very people who hold the missing photograph, family Bible, letter, or story you’ve been searching for.
When we research siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and their descendants, we often uncover information that would never appear in our direct ancestral line. In my case, a cousin’s old photograph album provided a priceless glimpse of an ancestor I thought I would never see.
So the next time your research seems to hit a brick wall, consider looking sideways. Your collateral relatives may be holding the piece of the puzzle you’ve been missing all along.
Ethnicity Estimates from DNA tests are the sprinkles on your genealogy cupcake—not the whole cake.
Here’s why you shouldn’t treat them as hard facts:
They’re based on reference populations and statistical modeling.
Your results can (and will) change as databases grow.
Different companies use different methods—expect different “flavors” of your ethnicity.
🎯 The Real Power of DNA: Building your match list and connecting with cousins who might hold the missing pieces to your tree—not arguing whether you’re 10% more Scottish this week.
Bottom Line: Enjoy your ethnicity estimate. Frame it if you must. But don’t build your tree on it.
Genetic genealogy is an exciting field that combines traditional family history research with DNA testing to uncover ancestral connections. Forensic genealogy applies these techniques to assist in solving crimes and identifying unknown individuals. For beginners, understanding these concepts can open new avenues in exploring family history and contribute to broader societal benefits.
What is Genetic Genealogy?
Genetic genealogy involves analyzing DNA to discover relationships between individuals and construct family trees. By testing specific types of DNA, such as Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), and autosomal DNA (atDNA), genealogists can trace lineage lines and identify common ancestors. Y-DNA testing focuses on the direct paternal line, mtDNA on the direct maternal line, and atDNA provides a broader view of one’s ancestry.
How Can Genetic Genealogy Help in Family History Research?
Incorporating DNA testing into your genealogical research can:
Break Through Brick Walls: DNA testing can provide evidence to support or refute documented family connections, helping to overcome obstacles in traditional research.
Confirm Surname Lineages: Y-DNA testing can verify paternal lineages, confirming whether individuals with the same surname share a common ancestor.
Discover Ethnic Origins: Autosomal DNA tests offer insights into your ethnic background, revealing the regions your ancestors may have originated from.
What is Forensic Genealogy?
Forensic genealogy applies genetic genealogy techniques to legal and criminal investigations. By analyzing DNA evidence from crime scenes and comparing it to genetic databases, forensic genealogists can identify suspects or unknown individuals. This method has been instrumental in solving cold cases and identifying remains.
Getting Started with Genetic Genealogy
Define Your Goals: Determine what you hope to achieve with DNA testing, such as confirming family connections or discovering ethnic origins.
Choose the Right Test: Select a DNA test that aligns with your research objectives. For instance, Y-DNA tests are suitable for tracing paternal lines, while autosomal DNA tests provide a comprehensive view of your ancestry.
Select a Testing Company: Research reputable DNA testing companies that offer the services you need. Ensure they have robust privacy policies and provide access to genetic matches.1
Analyze Your Results: Once you receive your DNA results, use the tools provided by the testing company to interpret the data and integrate it into your family tree.
Ethical Considerations
When engaging in genetic and forensic genealogy, it’s essential to consider privacy and consent. Always obtain permission from living relatives before including their DNA information in your research. Be aware of the ethical implications of using genetic data, especially in forensic contexts.
Where to Learn More
To deepen your understanding of genetic and forensic genealogy, consider exploring the following resources (links to these and other resources are below):
“The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy” by Blaine T. Bettinger: This comprehensive guide offers detailed information on DNA testing and its application in genealogy.
Your DNA Guide: This platform created by Diahan Southard provides educational resources and personalized guidance for individuals interested in genetic genealogy.
CeCe Moore’s “DNA Testing for Genealogy – Parts One – Four”: This article offers an introduction to DNA testing for genealogy, making it accessible for beginners.
By integrating genetic and forensic genealogy into your research, you can uncover new facets of your family history and contribute to meaningful discoveries in broader contexts.
Christensen, Erica. “An Introduction to Forensic Genetic Genealogy Technology for Forensic Science Service Providers – Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.” September 13, 2022. Accessed February 11, 2025. https://forensiccoe.org/report-2022-forensic-genetic-genealogy/.
“Research Guides: Genetic Genealogy: DNA and Family History: Introduction.” Research Guides at Library of Congress. Accessed February 11, 2025. https://guides.loc.gov/genetic-genealogy.
The Galbraith name, with its various spellings (Calbreath, Colbath, Colbreath, Galberth, Galbreath, Galbreth, Gilbraith, Gilbreath, Gilbreth, Gilreath, Kilbreath, Kilbreth, Kulbeth), carries a rich history. My journey to uncover the origins of my Galbraith ancestors has been a fascinating exploration of genealogy, leading me back to the rugged Scottish Highlands and the early days of colonial America.
According to historical accounts, the Galbraiths have deep roots in Scotland, tracing back to the “Parish of Baldunoch” in Stirling.1 One source describes them as “Britons, or the children of Briton,” a testament to their ancient lineage.2
Culcreuch Castle
In Fintry, Stirlingshire, Scotland was recently a hotel, now a private residence, but once was the ancestral home of Clan Galbraith; built in 1296. This castle replaced the clan stronghold of Inchgalbraith in Loch Lomond. Other Galbraith castles included Gartconnel, Balgair, Balvie, Bannachra, Bardowie, Barskimming, Craigmaddie, Garscadden, Mains, as well as Kincaid House. All were located between Stirling and Glasgow. ~From the Clan Galbraith Society
My own Galbraith line begins with Martha, my 3rd great-grandmother, born around 1800. She married John Stitt in 1817, and their family continued the Galbraith legacy.3
Research reveals a proud military tradition within the family. Martha’s father, John Galbraith, was likely born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.4 His father, James, served as a Captain in the Pennsylvania troops during the American Revolution.5 James, in turn, was the son of John Galbraith, born around 1717.
Revolutionary War Battalions & Militia Index Cards. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Historical Society of Pennsylvania.
The story takes a dramatic turn with Andrew Galbraith, born around 1692 in Ireland. He emigrated to America with his father and became a prominent figure in early Pennsylvania, serving as a justice of the peace and a member of the Provincial Assembly. His wife, Mary Kyle, famously led a procession of mounted men to ensure Andrew’s election to the Assembly, demonstrating the strength and influence of early settlers.
Appletons’ Cyclopedia of American Biography; Volume: Vol. II
Further back, we find James Galbraith, born around 1666, one of the founders of the Old Derry Church. While his origins remain somewhat unclear, it’s believed he emigrated from Ireland in 1718.6
Ca. 1880s lithograph: Old Derry Church – – Built A. D. 1720 – – Repaired A. D. 1760 (Palmyra, PA, Dauphin County)
Connecting these early generations to the Scottish homeland has been a challenge. While DNA analysis suggests a link to other Galbraith families, definitive proof remains elusive.
We do not know if James of 1666 was born in Ireland but he came from there in 1718. We don’t know that his father was John and we have failed to link James back to the first Galbraith family of Ireland, who arrived there about 1613. Our last Chief from Culcreuch fled to Ireland in about 1625 and left living sons in Scotland who might have lines to the present. We are pretty sure that Group 1 links back to the 1400s at Culcreuch–but we do not know if the Chiefs maintained the DNA into the future (or past to Bretnach of 1150).
From William Gilbreath of the Clan Galbraith Facebook group
We know the two groups have the same YDNA Haplogroup and most of the same markers, which leads us to believe they were related at some point, but they are several generations apart. We haven’t found any source documents to tie them together.
From Dana Love of the Clan Galbraith Facebook group
DNA has become an important tool in genealogical research, and as more people take the test, the number of matches increases, making it even more helpful. Hopefully, this will be true for these family lines.
This genealogical journey has been a reminder of the resilience and determination of my ancestors. Their stories – of military service, political leadership, and community building – continue to inspire me today.
Egle, W. H. (1886). Pennsylvania Genealogies: Chiefly Scotch-Irish and German. ↩︎
Burke, J. (Ed.). (1846). A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland, Volume 1. ↩︎
A few weeks ago I wrote A Look at Time Management and Social Media Strategy. For the past couple of days, I’ve been giving my website a refresher. I searched for “how to rejuvenate a website” and “how to refresh the content of a website” and learned a lot about improving user experience and getting more traffic to my blog.
I have also been more engaged with my fellow family historians and genealogists on their websites, social media accounts, and other websites where others ask questions about their own ancestry and where or how to find something. It still amazes me how many people do not know about their families, even one generation back, or how tracking ancestry works. The number of people jumping to buy DNA tests, thinking they will give all the answers, is mind-boggling. One woman gave a review that her DNA test was terrible because it didn’t tell her who her father was. What?
However, another suggestion to improve my website traffic will have to be put on the back burner for now. It was suggesting a YouTube channel for my business. Not only am I not comfortable doing videos right now, but I just worked on my time management and do not want to add anything else to my plate. Did you know that according to SimilarWeb, YouTube is the 2nd most popular website on the planet? I actually have a YouTube channel. It has two videos on it from when I was teaching children about ancestry.
When visiting my website, you’ll notice a couple of new features. One is a sharing feature to the left of each page.
So, if you are reading something you think a friend or family member would be interested in, click on the icon on the left of your favorite share feature (email, Facebook, messenger, text, and others.) and share the content. Easy peasy!
Second, I have added a “Question or Comment” button. Here, you can quickly email me with questions about a particular blog post (this feature will only be on new blog posts) or a page on the website. You may even have a question about your ancestry. Every blog post currently has a comment feature already, but this box is highlighted on each page, so you can click on it whenever you think of something or see something not quite right about something I posted. Feel free to leave me some kudos, too!
Finally, I added an easy “Subscribe” button to each page. You will already be a subscriber if you receive this post in your email. However, if you are reading this post because you found me through a Google search, please Subscribe so you receive new posts as I publish them. Subscribers also get free access to my Free Resources page.
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As I continue to refine my website and explore new strategies for enhancing user experience, I’m excited to share these updates with you. From repurposing older content to engaging more deeply with the genealogical community, these changes are all part of my ongoing journey to provide valuable and accessible content for fellow family historians. While some suggestions, like creating a YouTube channel, will have to wait, I’m thrilled about the new features that make it easier for you to connect, share, and stay informed. Whether you’re a long-time follower or new to my blog, I hope these updates make your experience even more enjoyable. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay in the loop, and feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback. Here’s to discovering the past together!
Sometimes it is the answers you do not find. A couple of months ago, I received an email from a man in the UK looking for an old friend who he heard had passed away here in America. At first, I didn’t answer thinking it was one of those scams, “You’ve inherited $5000 lbs from Uncle Larry.” In addition, I research family history, not long lost friends. However, he wrote again and his story piqued my interest.
His friend was a psychiatric nurse in the UK and used to travel to America through his work. This friend also changed his surname, maybe by deed poll, from his birth surname to his adopted surname. Tragically he died while in America, his friend heard, by being hit by a train or hit by train shrapnel.
“TH” (alias for the person who contacted me) thought the incident was bizarre and had contacted his friend’s brother, but the brother wouldn’t discuss anything with him, further adding to the mystery. The brother traveled from England to America to take care of the details when he died, but “TH” doesn’t believe the body was brought back to the UK. With only an approximate birth year to go on, I looked through all my resources, newspapers.com, etc., and found no mention of this friend or incident. Without knowing where his friend died, it was fruitless. “TH” continued his research from his end and wrote me again a few weeks later.
“TH” had found out that his friend had died in New Jersey. Thanks to “Reclaim the Records“, he was able to find the death index. That in turn gave him the exact birth and death of his friend. With that information, I found his friend’s birth parents and confirmed that the record pertained to the right person. “TH” was close to the information he provided but forgot that our date formats are different than theirs.
I still could not find a newspaper article on the incident. Curious about the name change, I wrote the National Archives of the United Kingdom to search their deed polls. A “Remote Enquiries Duty Officer” emailed me right back and explained that he could not find a deed poll entry for a name change for “TH’s” friend. The gentleman also explained that “Changes of name by deed poll are only recorded officially if a fee is paid to have the deed enrolled in court – not many people do this and so there is often no official record other than the original deed poll issued to the person themselves.”
With further research, I found he was issued his social security number in Arkansas in 1988, but could find no further records. Next, I wrote the New Jersey State Library and the researcher was very kind. She had access to the Morristown Daily Record from 1995. She tried several different searches to see if she could find an obituary or article about either the train accident or an obituary for him but did not come across anything. Doing a general search for “train accident”, “hit by a train”, or “train” for June 6, 1995, and broadly for June 1995 did not have any results. She also did a general search in NJ Newspapers via NewsBank as well and did not find anything either.
I then heard back from the New Jersey History and Genealogy Center. They too searched different newspapers from 1995 and could find nothing on the friend or any mention of a train accident or similar. Could it be that this isn’t how he died? Unfortunately, because “TH” is not a relative, he cannot obtain a copy of the death certificate.
I built a family tree in my Ancestry account and found their biological parents, but no hits so far.
Now I have two questions, 1) Did he really die by train? 2) Why won’t his brother share the specifics with “TH”?
The hunt continues…
This was out of my realm, but very interesting for me as I love mysteries and researching. Investigative Genetic Genealogy is the popular way to solve crimes now due to DNA, and it is very intriguing. However, not only can it be used to solve crimes, but I believe it can solve family history mysteries and help adopted parents or children, etc.
But for able to get into this part of genealogy, I need more practice in the genetic part and Reverse Genealogy. I hope to broaden my research skills and do just that!
Wish me luck!
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