New results are in, and we have an interesting situation developing. Kit #29356 and kit #29524 are a 25/25 match, and now we have kit #29596 with an apparent genetic distance of -1 over 25 markers (more about that in a minute). The interesting thing is that they may represent three branches of the same family. Kit #29356 traces back to William and Mary (Austin) Bowles who appear to have had most of their children in/near Wythe County VA, although William himself was probably born in North Carolina. William was born about 1804 and died after 1880, probably in Bland County VA. Kit #29524 traces back to John and Margaret (Anderson) Bowles. John was born in 1777 in Virginia, and died in 1859, probably in Albemarle County VA. Kit #29596 traces back to Thomas and Sarah (Holman) Bowles. Thomas was born in 1761 in Hanover County VA. He died there in 1839. I need to try to explain the genetic distance thing I mentioned earlier. The issue is with the last 4 markers (22-25). These 4 markers are to be considered a set, and their order may not always be accurately portrayed in the list. For example, look at the actual scores for these three: 29356 - 13 15 15 18 29564 - 13 15 15 18 29596 - 13 13 15 15 At first glance it appears that we have a mismatch at two places, but all three have 13 at a location, and 15 at two locations, so the only true mismatch is with the fourth location: 18 versus 13. Think of it this way: 29356 - 13 15 15 18 29564 - 13 15 15 18 29596 - 13 15 15 13 These four markers are also perhaps the fastest mutating ones in the whole list of 25. It seems very likely that these three share a common ancestor within the last 300-500 years. If you have questions about any of this, please ask. Charlie Hartley Bowles DNA Project Administator [mailto:hartley@iglou.com]