The maternal relationship between Catherine Jane Merrill and her son Herbert Merrill Peters is confirmed by the direct inheritance path of autosomal DNA down to their DNA tested descendant RLP.

The segmental (via DNA segment triangulation) and total DNA shared between RLP and other confirmed descendants of George Edwin Merrill/Catherine Hummell is consistent with the expected ranges for their respective relationships. Since RLP descends from George Edwin Merrill/Catherine Hummell through Catherine Jane Merrill and her son Herbert Merrill Peters, the presence of significant shared DNA between RLP and other known descendants of George Edwin Merrill/Catherine Hummell validates the generational links along this maternal line.

This supports the conclusion that DNA was passed from MRCA couple George Edwin Merrill/Catherine Hummell through Catherine Jane Merrill to Herbert Merrill Peters, and ultimately to RLP, confirming this direct ancestral connection through multiple generations.