Note: the following comes from the newsletter published by the Family Tree DNA. Details are at the end of this message. You may be considering the Y-DNA test for the Bowles DNA Project, but wonder when you should do it. The following may help. ----- Situation: ========= There is only one surviving direct male descendent in your line, traced back to the early 1800's with documented research. You are not ready to join a project and haven't researched other lines with your surname. You never find the time to spend to understand DNA testing. Your direct male descendent is in his late 40's. Recommendation: ============== On the surface, it appears that you have plenty of time to learn about DNA testing, and have your relative tested. Unfortunately, once this direct male descendent is gone -- you can probably never get a DNA sample. In the situation where there is only one surviving direct male descendent, regardless of their age, we recommend immediate testing. Either the 12 or 25 marker test will do. Any time in the future, others with your surname can be approached to be tested for comparison. The objective today is to get a sample from your relative and have it tested to ensure that you will not be denied the opportunity in the future. You will then have the results for the direct male descendent, the results will be stored in our database, and the sample will be stored for your future use. If there are as few as three direct male descendents in your tree, we recommend immediate testing of two of the males. The reason to select two is to confirm that there were no adoptions or extramarital male births. Often, it is only a priority to test males if they are elderly. The issue is not age. If the person is gone, for all practical purposes, their DNA is gone. We were able to assist a client late last year, whose only direct male descendent was killed in a car accident. Securing the sample took tremendous effort, and the involvement of the spouse for approval and the medical examiner for a sample. It was sheer luck that the client remembered in such a stressful situation, and contacted Family Tree DNA on a Saturday night at midnight, so that we could immediately overnight a collection kit. In summary, if you have a small number of direct male descendents in your line, we recommend immediate testing of two participants, to confirm a match and to have the sample and results stored for future reference. If you do not get an exact match, expand the testing to any remaining direct male descendents to determine where and when a non-paternity event occurred, such as adoption. Source: Facts & Genes from Family Tree DNA [http://www.familytreeDNA.com/facts_genes.asp] July 24, 2002 Volume 1, Issue 1; Copyright 2002, Family Tree DNA