In a message dated 2/23/03 12:43:55 AM Pacific Standard Time, iti05248@mweb.co.za writes: > I look forward to hearing from any of your subscribers who may have any > information that may be helpful. > You have the start of a very interesting surname study. You can use DNA to answer the question of the relatedness of those male BENNETTs. In simplest terms, the BENNETT name and the Y chromosome both passed from a male BENNETT to his sons. Mutations on the Y are rare (about 1 every 40 generations or 1 every 500 to 1,000 years.) Because of that connection between surname and Y chromosome several labs are now offering DNA test for genealogist. Oxford Ancestors is in England and Family Tree DNA is in the US. There may be one in South Africa but I've never heard of it. You would need a group of males who descend from the BENNETTs you listed. If you have more questions send me an e off list. I'm not an expert but I recently discovered that for me, reading about the science of DNA is more interesting than reading another microfilm census records. My Bennett's were initially spelled BENNETTE and I can't find any pre 1800 records. They were in Georgia in the Southeast US at that time. Grant W. Johnston, Chico, CA