Family Tree DNA have given the go ahead for two new exciting Australian DNA projects and I am assisting the primary organiser Gail Riddell on the Australian Settlers project. Below are details of how you may initiate participation and I hope that as many of you as possible take up this opportunity to link up with others who may be descended from your immigrant forebears. I am writing to advise (with much pleasure) that FTDNA have given their approval to Gail Riddell to pioneer two new Australian Projects, and I am assisting her on the Settlers project. They are both categorised as Dual Y DNA and mtDNA Geographical project. Consequently, I am broadcasting this far and wide as I am aware we have many Australian testers within our ranks. (Even if you have ONLY tested atDNA (Family Finder) to date, it matters not. Just join. The "Australian Convicts" project is primarily aimed at those poor sods (male and female) who faced the tribulations of that unknown sea journey in the late 18th century. It will also welcome those who were later transferred to Norfolk Island. The "Australian Settlers" project is aimed at anyone who entered the land as a settler or traversed the rigours of the Convict status and became bone fide settlers. If you are interested in joining, the Convicts project is at <http://www.familytreedna.com/public/AustralianConvicts/> http://www.familytreedna.com/public/AustralianConvicts/ The Settlers Project is at <http://www.familytreedna.com/public/AustralianSettlers/> http://www.familytreedna.com/public/AustralianSettlers/ If you join, you will need to supply me with either the Fleet and / or the ship on which your ancestor(s) arrived (for the former), and the port(s) of arrival of your most distant Australian immigrants (both direct male lineage and direct female lineage). If you have only tested atDNA (FF), then that information is unnecessary. Gail is also co-ordinating a New Zealand Settlers project, and I know that we have many Kiwis on our Australian lists and details are on the FTDNA site. Peter Melbourne