Uncertain

Recent advances in autosomal DNA research have broken down a lot of old "brick walls" for genealogists.  But, in my case, it has also created new mysteries.  One of them is the paternity of my 3xgreat grandfather John Jackson.

There were already several questions marks about John before DNA results entered the fray.

First, was his birth date.  Different census records give conflicting ages.  They best I can say is he was born some time between 1805 and 1810.  

Second, is his birth location.  The 1850 and 1870 census enumerations indicate he was born in New Jersey, but the 1860 schedule says Ireland.

Third, I have no idea when or where he died.  He disappears after being listed as a day laborer in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1870.

Examination of DNA clusters over the last year or so yielded several matches between known descendants of this mysterious John Jackson and the descendants of a Caroline (Jackson) Provost.  

Research by Caroline's descendants says she was born about 1812 in New Jersey.  She married 31 December 1831 in Middlesex County, New Jersey, to Frederick Provost (1809-1876) and moved to the vicinity of Rochester, New York.  Later, about the time of the Civil War, they left New York to settle in Michigan.  Caroline died in Detroit on 13 June 1899.

Centimorgan comparisons combined with this information leads me to believe Caroline was John's younger sister.  But, I have not been able to confirm this theory with documentation . . . add this one to the pile of "further research needed!"

#52Ancestors