Phyllis, Please check out the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project web site at: http://members.cox.net/johnrcarpenter/index.htm The Y-DNA tests are only for males. The MtDNA tests are for males & females. Briefly the MtDNA tests only the maternal maternal line. This is mitochondrial DNA is passed from the mother to her children and only the females can pass it down to their children. The book, "The Seven Daughters of Eve" by Brian Sykes describes how MtDNA is used for deep ancestry. The Y-DNA is passed from father to son only. It is passed down virtually unchanged over the generations. Since the surname usually does not change with males, this type of DNA test is very helpful in comparing those with the same surname. If you could find a living male descendant of your Great Uncle William Carpenter, the Y-DNA test could help confirm the paper trail lineage. This would be done by matching or comparing to others who are descendant of the different Carpenter Groups on the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project. I hope this helps. John R. Carpenter La Mesa, CA Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project http://members.cox.net/johnrcarpenter/index.htm Carpenter CD Project Update http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/a/r/John-R-Carpenter/index Message: 3 Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:55:46 -0500 From: Phyllis <pfcr@aol.com> Are these just for the men?? My mother was a Carpenter, but she is deceased. Most of my side of the line has ended. There was a William Carpenter (Great Uncle) who went to OK, but have no information on his children.? My other cousins have passed on too. My Aunt, sister to my Mother is still alive.? Phyllis Rummel Photography