DNA Matches to Kentucky Burnett Descendants

We now have autosomal DNA samples for at least 24 known descendants of Alfred Burnett and Julia Seaman.  Two of the DNA samples are from great grandchildren and 9 more are from my generation - GG grandchildren.  The remainder of the samples is further removed generations.

Many of these 24 know descendants match well to other Burnett families that trace their roots to Kentucky.  These Kentucky Burnett families are descendants of -

William Burnett
John Burnett
Dammie Burnett
Isaac Burnett
Matthew Burnett
Absalom Burnett

The above are believed children of John Burnett 1750-?, who was married to Mary Morgan.  The trouble is there is little recorded evidence to prove these are children of John Burnett, though many online family trees show this relationship.  In fact, I am in contact with a Kentucky Burnett descendant who has court records that seem to disprove these are John Burnett’s children. The Kentucky Burnett families were not good record keepers; even their trees with the same Burnett ancestors do not match. Nevertheless, our line of Burnett’s match well with the above Kentucky Burnett families.

Recently a court record concerning Matthew Burnett’s estate settlement was found and this document mentioned an Alfred Burnett. I contacted the Hancock County, Kentucky courthouse and they have sent me copies of Matthew Burnett’s estate settlement.  Unfortunately, this record does not list his children.  It does mention Elizabeth “wife of Matthew”.  Also, there is mention of “Note to Alfred Burnett Bal due – is 34.62”.  Actually, it mentions notes due to three others as well, but none of which have the surname Burnett.  I have examined the document there is no mention of any kinship except wife Elizabeth.  This mention of Alfred Burnett does not establish any relationship and sadly cannot be used to prove kinship.

From the DNA samples and the limited information that can be taken from Ancestry DNA, I have charted how our Burnett’s relate to these Kentucky Burnett lines. Below is a heat map chart that I am working on.  This is unpublished, but considered copyright material.  It cannot be copied, published, emailed in any form.

DNA Heat Map - Alfred Burnett and Kentucky Burnett Descendants

The cells in the chart are color coded from red to light green – red being the best match.  The top row (blue) lists the descendants of Alfred Burnett and their relation to Alfred Burnett. The left column (purple) lists the Kentucky Burnett family and their relationship to that family.  The number in the cells represents the amount of shared centimorgans of DNA. The higher the centimorgans, the better the match from the Kentucky Burnett family to our Alfred Burnett family. The GG refers to great grandchild and how many generations removed.

The chart suggests our best DNA matches are to the Matthew, Isaac and Absalom Burnett families.  Perhaps our Alfred is a sibling or son of these three Burnett males? Still, DNA evidence alone is not proof, we must have a paper trail to confirm kinship. 

I feel we are close to solving the ‘where are Alfred’s parents’ mystery, but need to find recorded evidence to go along with our DNA findings.  It is my feeling that there are records in the Grayson, Hancock or Washington County Kentucky courthouses that will confirm Alfred’s parents.  I am currently working with the Nelson County courthouse and will keep you posted to what I dig up.