Second Generation

2. DNA Coffey was born (date unknown).

From Fred Coffey (fredcoffey@aol.com) Sep. 24, 2012 in response to my question of whether a DNA link exists between descendants of Chesley and Edward:

The "Chesley Line" people believe (or used to believe) they descend from Edward through Chesley.

If Chesley (Senior) didn't exist, then I think we all STILL believe we descend from Edward. It just may be that the people we thought were children of Chesley may instead be children of Edward Junior?

Either way, we ALL have "Edward" DNA. So there is clearly a "DNA link". And indeed, we can't tell the difference between a so-called Chesley descendant and any other descendant of Edward, just by looking at the DNA. They all look like one big family.

I had hoped at one time that there would be a DNA clue that might help pin down Chesley's existence, or perhaps somehow clearly identify the "Chesley" line. No luck. (Oh, we do have a DNA test on a descendant of "Chesley Junior" (who of course may not actually be a "Junior"). It matches the Edward Group, but it's only a 12-marker test.

My feeling is that Chesley Junior (who is definitely real) is in the same boat as all the others in the "Chesley" line. 

There is also a clear DNA connection between Edward and Peter. However because of two minor DNA marker differences, I almost certainly CAN tell the difference between an Edward descendant and a Peter descendant, just by looking at the DNA. But Edward and Peter still clearly have a common ancestor, back in Ireland.

Here's a lengthy discussion of how Edward and Peter relate, and how this is supported by DNA:

http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/DNA/CoffeyOrigins-Edward&Peter.htm

DNA Coffey had the following children: