Greetings! We are searching for our roots in England, France and possibly in Italy with a new ESTES Surname DNA Project. Over the years many people with this surname and its variations have migrated throughout the United States and world wide and we are taking this opportunity to contact them. We know there were several Estes/Eastes, etc immigrants to American Colonies but also we have found that most of the Estes/Eastes/etc in this Country have descended from Abraham, born 1647 in Noningham, England.. With the help of researchers in England, we have documented records of Abraham back to Nickolas Ewstas born 1495 in Kent, England. Abraham had 13 children who were also very prolific and the tree expanded! In the U.S., some migrated into KY and TN others south through GA and beyond. Abraham had several siblings as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins in England.. Over the years the name was spelled in many ways and people moved across the globe. Now the advance of modern science has presented us with an exciting research tool, a new method of finding our ancestral roots called - Genetic Genealogy! With this tool, we hope to connect many people into one family! We are happy to announce that a new Estes Surname DNA Project has been recently initiated and we already have 15 persons enrolled since July with more promised! As the news spreads, more and more people are contacting us for information. We know that DNA testing can never take the place of thorough paper documentation but this exciting new world of Genetic Genealogy certainly will supplement it! It will also enable us to break down those brick walls! We are inviting you or a member of your family to join us in this exciting ESTES Surname DNA Project. We are also soliciting your help in spreading the word. These are our goals for the Estes Surname DNA Project: Ø To identify connections between the American Estes/Eastes/etc lines to others around the world. Ø To validate the various American Estes/Eastes/etc lines back to England and beyond. Ø To validate existing American records back to Abraham the immigrant from England by testing descendents from each of his son's lines. Ø To validate our existing research records Ø To prove or disprove the theories of the Estes connection to the Este family in France, Italy and other parts of Europe. Ø To confirm or deny that Estes is a derivative spelling of Eustace in England Ø To break down those "brick walls" in our research Ø To determine geographical locations for further research In order to achieve these objectives, the more participants we have in the program, the more extensive and conclusive the results. However, the Y-DNA chromosome is passed only through the male members of a family, from father to son, down through the generations and limits our source of participants. In our particular case, the participant must be a male with the surname Estes, or any of its variant spellings (Estis, East, Eastes, Estess, Easters, Este, d'Este, and Eustace). However if you are a female, there is an option. You can find a brother, father, uncle, cousin or other Estes male to be your proxy, - to be "tested in your place". There are a number of "markers" on each Y chromosome, and each of these markers has a specific "number." The more numbers that match with another participant shows how closely related they are to a common ancestor and, therefore, to each other. If you enroll, we suggest that you order the kit with 24 markers as the Estes line is too closely associated for us to be able to differentiate between them reliably using only the 12 marker test. This testing is being conducted by Family Tree DNA, http://www.familytreedna.com, the largest company devoted exclusively to "Genealogy by Genetics." Their procedure for collecting the DNA sample is quite simple and painless. Using a toothbrush type of instrument, you just rub it over the inside of the cheek and carefully place it in a vial for shipping. Their address is: Family Tree DNA - Genealogy by Genetics, Ltd. World Headquarters 1919 North Loop West, Suite 110 Houston, Texas 77008, USA Again, we invite a male family member to enroll in the Estes Surname DNA Project. The more we have in the group, the more information we will find! Each person tested will receive free assistance with analyzing the results in relation to the other Estes participants and findings. In addition, those tested will receive Estes Family DNA information periodically from the project administrators. The Administrators for the Estes DNA Project are Roberta Estes - restes@mail.ic.net and LeRoy F. Eastes, Leastes2@aol.com. Roberta is a descendant of John R. Estes and a cousin to the well known researcher, Garmon Estes who was the first enrollee. Roy is a descendant of Elisha Estes who died in Roane County, Tennessee in 1819. I am sure there will be many questions and there is so much information available that it cannot be given in this space. It is suggested that you visit - http://www.familytreedna.com - which is very informative. Here you can find information about ordering a kit, other surname projects, testimonials, information on privacy, other frequently asked questions and much more. After the project gets underway, we plan to have an ESTES DNA Web Site. If you have other questions, drop a line to Roberta Estes - restes@mail.ic.net. or to me, Roy Eastes - Best Regards Roy Eastes USA <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything! - Mark Twain ********************** Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will show thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee." Deuteronomy 32:7a ********************* They are truly not gone, Unless they are forgotten - - anon ********************** See the "The Eastes Family History Record Bank" @ - - www.eastes.org