The maternal relationship between Sarah Alice Bown and her son
Elbert Pearl Ely is confirmed by the direct inheritance path of autosomal DNA down to their DNA tested descendant RE.
The segmental (via DNA segment triangulation) and total DNA shared between RE and other confirmed descendants of
Thomas Harper Ratliff/
Lucy Johnson is consistent with the expected ranges for their respective relationships. Since RE descends from Thomas Harper Ratliff/Lucy Johnson through Sarah Alice Bown and her son Elbert Pearl Ely, the presence of significant shared DNA between RE and other known descendants of Thomas Harper Ratliff/Lucy Johnson validates the generational links along this maternal line.
This supports the conclusion that DNA was passed from MRCA couple Thomas Harper Ratliff/Lucy Johnson through Sarah Alice Bown to Elbert Pearl Ely, and ultimately to RE, confirming this direct ancestral connection through multiple generations.