Given the recent activity and new members on the Barnes list, I thought it might be worthwhile to summarize the Barnes DNA study. In August 2001 several descendants of James and Ketura Shipley Barnes began the Barnes DNA study to try and separate and define the Barnes families that immigrated to America. Thus far over 40 Barnes men have been tested and their results define at least eight families who descend from different Barnes common ancestors. These families include the Thomas of Hartford, CT and the James & Ketura of Maryland. The results are posted on the web by earliest known ancestor at: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Lane/2894/BarnesDNAstudy.html Since this is a y-chromosome DNA study, the participant must be a male with the surname of Barnes for it to work. The DNA profile is processed by Family Tree DNA (www.familytreedna.com) using the Univ. of Arizona lab. You can also learn more about the whole DNA process at their web site. The cost of the 12 allele test is $101 for our study participants representating about a $50 savings. This test narrows down the time to most recent common ancestor (MRCA) to about 42 generations. The more specific 25 allele test (16 generations to MRCA) is $169 and the even more specific 37 allele test (8 genrations to MRCA) is $229. All require the swabbing of the inside of a cheek to collect cells which are mailed back to the company in a mailer provided. If you are interested in participating in the Barnes DNA study and are a male named Barnes or have a cousin, uncle, father or husband named Barnes, then send me the mailing address for the test kit and a short son to father, to grandfather, etc genealogy as far back as known. I'll order the kit and enter you into the study. An invoice comes with the kit and is payable when returned to FTDNA. Larry