Genealogy Research and DNA Testing Does Not Always Provide a Happy Ending

February 26, 2011 |

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The Kim Cattrall episode on Season two of “Who Do You Think You Are?”, aired recently on NBC, shows a search for her grandfather that abandoned his family in 1938 never to be heard of again by them.

Not wanting to be a spoiler I will not tell you the complete outcome of the show, but it is safe to say that the official records were enough to satisfy Kim, her mother and two aunties, that the missing man was found out.

By using standard genealogical research methods and quite a bit of travel around the world this project was complete enough to bring to the small screen a very emotional story. What is not shown is the fact that through DNA testing, some of these findings could have been firmed up even more.

There was a message at the end of the program that said since the filming of this episode that the three sisters had gone to Australia to meet their relatives. If they had performed a DNA test with the surviving relatives, much of this story could be proven to a high degree of certainty.

The three sisters would not benefit from the Y-chromosome DNA test as that is only found in males, but they certainly could compare results from autosomal testing which is used to identify aunts, uncles, cousins, half-siblings and grandparents.

If the male descendants of the grandfather could be compared with other male descendants of his brothers, then additional information on his male ancestry could be proven.

You may watch this episode of Kim Cattrall on “Who Do You Think You Are?”, by clicking the link provided. http://www.nbc.com/who-do-you-think-you-are/video/kim-cattrall/1303312/

Even though this program did not provide happy results, the genealogy research, just like DNA research does not always provide a happy ending. In this case at least the three daughters of Kim’s grandfather were able to achieve closure.

You also can follow the actress Kim Cattrall on episodes of “Sex in the City”.

Here is a video about autosomal DNA testing that Family Tree DNA calls: “Family Finder”.

FGS Conference 2010 – Family Tree DNA Booth

Family Tree DNA’s Jane Buck talked to us about their new Family Finder autosomal DNA test. “Sex doesn’t matter any more!” Visit www.familytreedna.com for more information.