The maternal relationship between Emma Shephard and her son
Leigh Edison Drake is confirmed by the direct inheritance path of autosomal DNA down to their DNA tested descendant EL.
The segmental (via DNA segment triangulation) and total DNA shared between EL and other confirmed descendants of
John Thomas Shephard/
Elizabeth Thompson is consistent with the expected ranges for their respective relationships. Since EL descends from John Thomas Shephard/Elizabeth Thompson through Emma Shephard and her son Leigh Edison Drake, the presence of significant shared DNA between EL and other known descendants of John Thomas Shephard/Elizabeth Thompson validates the generational links along this maternal line.
This supports the conclusion that DNA was passed from MRCA couple John Thomas Shephard/Elizabeth Thompson through Emma Shephard to Leigh Edison Drake, and ultimately to EL, confirming this direct ancestral connection through multiple generations.