Grandfather's DNA/Brick Wall - Clarity Help

Hello all!! I finally got a hold of my 90-year-old Grandfathers DNA results. In reviewing and trying to make sense of it, I am more confused than ever.

We know who his grandparents are, but beyond that it gets tricky. I would like to find out who my grandfather’s great grandparents are. And of course, go beyond if I can. But after years of research and now DNA involved, my walls are still standing.

Maternal side – Grandfather Mink we can trace both his sides far back. Grandmother Carrie we do not know her parents names, ethnicity or where she was from. I can only trace her records wise until 1910 census as a mother to 10 children. Mink and Carrie never married; the family story is that he could/would not marry her because she was black. Carrie was mixed race, at best (photos), records all have her as mulatto, of course.

Paternal side – Father Henry was born before his said father John and mother Josephine married. We suspect John is not Henry’s father (possible incest case). Grandmother Josephine we can trace her maternal line until 1870 as they are black. Her father was possibly from Mexico, but we only have a marriage record, and he is on her death certificate indicating Mexico. No other record for father.

Issue/Problem – Examining through DNA matches, I found two common family links to sort. 1st is direct family to maternal grandfather Mink. The 2nd is the Gilley family and I do not know how we connect to them yet. Ancestry parent sorting is showing matches of maternal grandfather Mink family AND this Gilley family on BOTH parents lists. Due to this, I can’t figure out who his parent 1 vs parent 2 is. Compounded by not really knowing either his parents’ true ethnicities.

Notes: In examining, 1870 /1880 census for his paternal side, I find the Gilley family living near them. I also think the Gilley family may have migrated to Texas around the same time of his maternal Mink family. This further makes me think they are connected/crossing somehow closer.

Hypothesis – Maternal Grandmother Carrie lineage is connected to the Gilley family. Paternal Grandfather (or Great Grandfather) may possibly be a Gilley family member.

Where would you go from here?

· Try to figure out who parent 1 and parent 2 is?

· Keep sorting?

· Build the Gilley family tree (though there are quite a few extensive ones already)?

I appreciate any feedback or help offered.