Gene, "Closely related" in the DNA sense. The odds of the two Williams being first cousins are very very low and improve a bit with each generation. It is not until about 450 years that the odds go up into the 90% range. Compare that over tens of thousands of years, and that is closely related. John R. Carpenter La Mesa, CA ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1:48 PM Subject: Re: Y-DNA Testing for Christmas or Thanksgiving or ... > > > > << Our Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project has proven that the two William > Carpenters that came to America in 1635 and 1638 were closely related. > It > is not known if they were first cousins, second cousins or what. Their > descedant Y-DNA markers match 24/25. >> > > Given the relative proximity in Wiltshire of Amesbury and Shalbourne, the > respective homes of William of Providence (he did NOT come with the > Arnolds in > 1635) and William of Rehoboth, it's not surprising that they are related. > But to say that the DNA project has proven them to be "closely" related > is an > overstatement. The limitations of the DNA test are such that only a > broad > inference can be made as to the interval--perhaps several hundred > years--between > the immigrant Williams and their nearest, common Carpenter ancestor. > > Gene Z. > > ______________________________