After 11 Years, (1) 37/4 Match

[Bushky]

Hi All,

Was hoping for some advice. I’d first tested in 2006 and received a 37/4 match with the surname of Holmes; I’ve read that Holmes can be synonymous with Humes. My surname is Elliot and derived from Lariston, Roxburghshire, Scotland. I’m Big Y (FGC8158) and Holmes is tested to L2. Are Holmes and I related within surname time? Any advice/opinions? Thanks.

[TwiddlingThumbs]

L2 is upstream from FGC8158 and, based on the estimated dates on YFull, both were formed over 4,000 years ago. So all that tells you is that you could be related in the surname period, but are quite possibly more distantly related.

FTDNA guidelines say that a gd of 4 on a comparison of 37 markers means you would be "probably related" within the genealogical time frame (15 generations) IF you had the same surname. With a different surname and no genealogical trail suggesting that you are related, I think that, again, all that can be said is that you could be related within the surname period, but are quite possibly more distantly related.