The Collins DNA study is attempting to document all the different lines of Collins via genealogical information as well as via genetic paternal lines. Without getting too techinical, certain generic genetic infomation is passed from father to son on the Y chromosome that can be compared and can be used to show whether different subjects descend from a COMMON ANCESTOR. This information is used in the study to help match family lines together. For example, my Collins ancestor born in 1785 in SC was a brick wall, we suspected a family relationship but had no real proof. My brother (a male descendant ) and a male descendant of a suspected male Uncle to my ancestor contributed DNA (collected from a qtip rubbing on the inside of one's cheek) and the two profiles are identical--thus proving tha! t they come from the same COLLINS family line. So one shouldn't be concerned about "personal genetic information" being distributed-- this test either proves or can eliminate whether family lines come from a COMMON ANCESTOR. The purpose of the study is to collect samples from as many well documented Colonial and Early American Collins lines as we can identify in order to build a good database. The expected outcome is to identify the various Collins lines in Colonial America and early America. A side benefit is that researchers who are battling brick walls may be able to identify a specific direction to focus their research upon... This is especially true for areas where County records are burnt or were destroyed during the Civil War. We need documented lineages from colonial lines and Early American (pre 1800) Collins families. We would like to see all of the original 13 colonies represented: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia. We'd also like to see Collins from the early American territories, such as KY, TN, IL. just to name a few.. It may be possible to locate an interested sponsor who is willing to cover the $155 cost of the test if the cost is too prohibitive, although a waiting period may be involved. IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE, you must be descended for a SOLELY paternal line of Collinses, for example a son of a son of a son, etc., all the way back to the earliest Collins male ancestor in your line. If you agree to participate, the DNA collection kit (instructions and Qtip-like swabs) will be mailed to you. Once you rub the qtips on the inside of your cheek you mail the sample back to Relative Genetics (the testing lab in Utah) and in 3-4 weeks the results will be available for the study. One other requirement of the study is that along with the DNA sample, that you provide Names, dates of Birth and places of Birth for your paternal ancestors (basically an abbreviated paternal family tree). My contact information is listed below: Rose Collins Lowther 111 Holmar Drive Brandon MS 39047 601-829-3231