Iwas approached by FT reader, Richard Bousfield, who wanted to know how DNA could help him find the parentage of his greatgrandmother Ellen Cracknell and whether it would be worthwhile his sister testing. Richard writes:
Q: My grandfather Albert Bousfield, born 1891 in Southgate, North London, has his mother named as Nellie May Bousfield, formerly Cracknell on his birth certificate. His father is named on the birth cert as Albert Richard Bousfield, however it is known that my grandfather was illegitimate. After the birth of Albert Bousfield, Nellie disappears.
At the time of the 1891 Census Nellie would have been three of four months pregnant. I have found a number of Nellie and Ellen Cracknells in the right area, although not at the address given on the birth certificate. Without knowing which Nellie or Ellen Cracknell I’m looking for, I’m working blind, so, my questions are:
• If I persuade my full sister to take a mitochondrial DNA test, would
I be able to try and track down relations to Nellie / Ellen May Cracknell or will I only be able to see my mother’s side?