Disappointing

[gilmore]

Surname Profiler, here: http://www.nationaltrustnames.org.uk/Surnames.aspx shows Rasey as being in two counties in the south of England west of London, and and no results for Rasay or Raasay, which means that there were fewer than 100 people by those surnames in England, Scotland and Wales in 1998.

There is the possibility of what the genetic genealogists delicately call a non-paternal event, or NPE, that is, a misattributed fatherhood. This is estimated to have occurred in 3.7 to 4% of births in Europe and America. (Some say 1.27%, others as high as 10%, but 4% seems to be accepted by most.) One out of 25 may seem like a small number, but over the generations the probability of one have occurred increases with each generation until at 17 generations (or 425 or so years, assuming 25 years per generation) it becomes more likely than not (that is, it exceeds 50% probability) that an NPE has occurred.

Here is the formula and how it was used to determine the likelihood of an NPE within the last 25 generations:

"The proper formula to be followed in this situation (according to the mathematical law of unions of independent events) is: P(robability) = 1-[0.96]^25. When we solve this equation, we find that P=0.64, or just about 64%. See, you have to figure out what the chances are of an NPE not happening in any given generation (in this case, 96%). You then multiply that 0.96 by itself 25 times (to reflect 25 generations, represented here by 0.96 to the 25th power). Finally, you subtract that number from one, because it's actually the inverse, or complement, of the probability of the event's never happening (all probability pairings of occurrence/non-occurrence must equal 1.0).

So after 25 generations, there is 64% chance of one or more non-paternal events occurring."

It may be disappointing that the DNA does not support the paper trail, but genealogical research is like that, and if we prefer fact to fiction we must follow it wherever it takes us.

If I were you, I would go back and look at every point in the patrilineal line to see where the NPE could have occurred. If the test was done at Family Tree DNA, or if you enter the resutls at www.ysearch.org, the results will show the surnames of the men you are most closely related to. This may be a clue. You could then look for a man or men by that surname who were on the scene when each of your patrilineal ancestors was conceived.

True, it may be disappointing to not have the ancestors you thought you had, but on the other hand this is where genealogy gets juicy and interesting, doing original research to discover things no one knew previously.

As to the "fabrication by a preacher," could it have been the custom at that time and place for foundlings to be left on the church door? It's time for detective work.

[gilmore]

Also, it might be a good idea to go over your great aunt's work to see if there are any loose ends or mistakes in it.

[berserkbishop]

I do do plan to fully go over my Aunt's work at some point but right now I know nearly nothing about genealogical research and have even less time to worry about it. I am just going to beware before I go claiming myself a MacLeod of Raasay. Disappointing yes, but I still am just as proud of my Cunningham heritage! My Grams is a great lady after all!

Bishop

[gilmore]

I have never really understood being proud of one's allegedly unique and special heritage. All we did to participate in it was to be born, something we had no choice in. Being proud of one's genealogical research is a different story. It often requires a great deal of work over several decades.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have never really understood being proud of one's allegedly unique and special heritage. All we did to participate in it was to be born, something we had no choice in. Being proud of one's genealogical research is a different story. It often requires a great deal of work over several decades.

As a charter member of "The Lucky Sperm Club" I'd have to respectufully disagree with you.

Pride in the achievements of those ancestors who have gone before (and that includes parents) is, more often than not, the foundation upon which future generations will lay the conerstone of their success. There is a reason why the children of doctors often enter the medical profession: They see what their parents do, are proud of them, and follow in their footsteps. The same holds true with other callings: the military tradition in some families, the political traditions in others, teacing school, running the corner grocery store, tilling the family farm, and a whole lot more; "following in the family footsteps" is down to pride in the successful contributions of ancestors.

My heritage is unique and special. There is no "allegedly" about it. It is as unique and special to me, as yours is unique and special to you. While it's true I didn't have a choice in to whom I was born (no one does), that does not mean that anyone's birth is accidental-- People choose to get married, and choose to have families.

As you say, it can take decades to do genealogical research. To which I would merely add, it takes generations to create the continuity of a family. And that continuity is special and unique whether it is your family, or the family of any other member of this forum.

[BoldHighlander]

Of course, genealogy is just meaningless names & dates on pedigree charts without a sense of history behind it. I can't tell you how many genealogists I met while working in the field who had no concept of the history behind their family trees -- they could not put those charts in context with the times. They were so focused on the charts, etc. that they lost sight of the big picture -- to learn where they come from. Of course not all of the genealogists were like this, but a fair amout were.

I agree with Rathdown: pride in your heritage gives you a legacy to live up to. He said it so well that I can't really add anything to it.

Without that sense of family history, genealogical data is just that -- cold and meaningless.

Regards,

Todd

As a charter member of "The Lucky Sperm Club" I'd have to respectufully disagree with you.

Pride in the achievements of those ancestors who have gone before (and that includes parents) is, more often than not, the foundation upon which future generations will lay the conerstone of their success. There is a reason why the children of doctors often enter the medical profession: They see what their parents do, are proud of them, and follow in their footsteps. The same holds true with other callings: the military tradition in some families, the political traditions in others, teacing school, running the corner grocery store, tilling the family farm, and a whole lot more; "following in the family footsteps" is down to pride in the successful contributions of ancestors.

My heritage is unique and special. There is no "allegedly" about it. It is as unique and special to me, as yours is unique and special to you. While it's true I didn't have a choice in to whom I was born (no one does), that does not mean that anyone's birth is accidental-- People choose to get married, and choose to have families.

As you say, it can take decades to do genealogical research. To which I would merely add, it takes generations to create the continuity of a family. And that continuity is special and unique whether it is your family, or the family of any other member of this forum.

Very well said gentlemen!

[Scotus]

MacMillan of Rathdown... an excellent post!! Well said!

[macwilkin]

I have never really understood being proud of one's allegedly unique and special heritage. All we did to participate in it was to be born, something we had no choice in. Being proud of one's genealogical research is a different story. It often requires a great deal of work over several decades.

Of course, genealogy is just meaningless names & dates on pedigree charts without a sense of history behind it. I can't tell you how many genealogists I met while working in the field who had no concept of the history behind their family trees -- they could not put those charts in context with the times. They were so focused on the charts, etc. that they lost sight of the big picture -- to learn where they come from. Of course not all of the genealogists were like this, but a fair amout were.

I agree with Rathdown: pride in your heritage gives you a legacy to live up to. He said it so well that I can't really add anything to it.

Without that sense of family history, genealogical data is just that -- cold and meaningless.

Regards,

Todd