For the second time in recent memory, I have started down a path trying to solve a specific brick wall using DNA matches and inadvertently and possibly solved another one.

See, I have this methodology that I use in which I find a DNA match who’s likely in the 4th to 6th cousin range from an unknown common ancestral couple but who shares DNA with folks I know descend from a specific ancestral couple in my tree. In this case, this particular match (let’s call her “BC”) shares DNA with folks I know descend from Martin Trantham (III) and his wife, Massey. (She is the brick wall.) I build the match’s tree as far back as I can go and then make a list of all of the surnames in their tree. Basically, I am creating a big checklist. I then search for those surnames in the trees of other DNA matches to find folks who descend from folks with the same surname. It’s a pretty lengthy process but it pays off.

“Farrar” is a surname that appears in BC’s tree. When I searched for DNA matches who also have “Farrar” in their trees, I was shocked at how many I found. However, I quickly realized that these matches did NOT match descendants of Martin and Massey. Many of them matched folks who descend from my Sims/Rust line.

The next step in the process is tedious but can’t be skipped. To find the common ancestral couple, I then review the trees of all DNA matches who have that surname in their tree to find their earliest “Farrar” ancestor which I record in the notes. Fortunately, a common ancestral couple emerged almost immediately and I had one of those “A HA” moments.

Katherine Farrar and her husband, John Barnett, were residents of Goochland County prior to John’s death in 1756. John and Katherine had three unmarried daughters who were named in his will. I suspect one them, Sarah Barnett, was the wife of Benjamin Sims, my 6th great grandfather. (I’ll have more to say as to why it’s likely Sarah in a separate post.)

“Barnett” is the key. My 3rd great grandfather was William “Barnet” Sims. For the record, I have NEVER seen a document with “Barnet” as his middle name. I guess it’s been passed down over the generations and is widely accepted. It’s probably accurate. I believe he was named for his uncle, “Barnet” Sims who appears in court documents along with his brother, Alexander, my 4th great grandfather. As family names tend to get carried down from one generation to the next, it’s highly possible – considering the overwhelming DNA evidence – that “Barnet” and “William Barnet” carry the surname of their potential ancestor, John Barnett, who’d be my 7th great grandfather if I am correct.

There’s always more work to do. Now I just need to find written evidence that Sarah was the wife of Benjamin Sims. That’s should be easy considering I am look for something recorded prior to the Revolutionary War. Sigh.

Kenfolk: Trantham
Relationship: 6th great grandmother (I believe)
Common ancestors: Sarah Barnett is the daughter of John and Katherine (Farrar) Barnett