This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: trackingancestors Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.dodson/1967.1.1.2.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The Charles Dodson line of Richmond have been proven to be a separate line than the dangling Dodsons of the Shenandoah County Dodsons. William Dodson, b. 1758 in Shenandoah and Richard Dodson, b. 1752 in Shenandoah, as well as Thomas Sr.,Thomas Jr., Samuel Dodson, William Dodson (served in French and Indian War from Frederick, now Shenandoah, in 1755, and a second John Dodson who lived near the above, are grouped as dangling Dodsons. Peter, John, and William (Peter's son and sheriff in late 18th century, and who died before 1800) are Dodsons who lived in Shenandoah Co. in area of Mill and Stoney Creeks, who descended from the Richmond Co. line, progenitor Charles, b.1649. Information on Dodson/Dotson DNA Testing DNA results of Dodsons tested so far have identified at least several separate lines of Dodsons. One is Charles Dodson's line from Richmond Co., Va.; one is Charles County Maryland Dodsons;one, Chester Co./Frederick, Md. line/ Talbot County, Md. If you are a male Dodson or Dotson with continuous Male Dodson or Dotson lineage from your most distant ancestor, then a Y-DNA test could help establish your heritage. There is a current project with about 70 men who have already participated. If you are interested in testing, the best results can be obtained with a 37 marker test, but less expensive tests can be ordered for 12 or 25 markers, or more expensive testing for 67 markers. For more details see: Price for Y-DNA tests See results for current Dodson/Dotson DNA Testing Here These are grouped as people believed their ancestors to be but also with people matching with their various markers. The more matches, as seen above, the more likely a recent common ancestor. Charles County Maryland Based on those that have been tested so far, it appears there are a few people who claim descendancy from the Charles County Maryland Dodsons who match with each other. If those people are closely related, for example three first cousins, there is not much relevancy to their tests. However, on the other hand, if each person can trace his lineage back to a different Dodson from the 1600 or 1700's then this would be good information to prove their lineage. Richmond County Virginia There are several people who claim descendancy from the Charles Dodson line which originated in Richmond County Virginia. It's showing in the results that these people do share a common ancestor. They believe that they have documented their lines back to Charles, and their testing could be a 'benchmark' for others who believe they share this line. In other words, if a person is tested and matches with their markers, then that would be a strong suggestion that they are also a descendant and their research is accurate. Pennsylvania/Maryland/Virginia The third general line is identified as "Thomas of Pennsylvania" . There are several men in this group whose DNA suggests a common lineage. There was a Thomas Dodson line in the 1700's in Chester County, PA and it is believed that one or more of this line migrated to Maryland and to Frederick County Virginia. There are Dodsons in the Bedford County, PA area in the late 1700's who were from Maryland, probably Frederick or Washington County, Maryland, but three descendants of Richard Dotson, who was born and lived in Frederick/Shenandoah County Virginia, also match this group. We have confirmation of a link back to the Thomas Dodson/Dotson of Chester County for this group with a 100% match on 37 markers for a descendant of Richard Dotson of Virginia with a documented descendant of Thomas of Chester County, Pennsylvania. The other men in this group are very close matches and are likely to share a common ancestor. Talbot County Maryland We have results from one person whose lineage comes down from Talbot county Maryland. His most distant ancestor is Robert who died about 1745 in Talbot County. His results are important because it has been claimed in the past that the Dodsons of Chester County PA and of Talbot County MD descended from two brothers. Recent research and now DNA show this is not the case. Neither this line, nor any of the other three lines appear to have connections in America, and their past connections are quite distant. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~wvpioneers/dnadodsondotson.html For more information re: groups and matching results, please visit the following link: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/dodson/default.aspx?section=yresults Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.