As a recent subscriber to this list I missed the debate concerning the Fisher DNA programme last August. Allow me to clarify some of the points made: Firstly the DNA survey is just one (albeit very important) aspect of the Fisher Surname Study. By itself DNA testing cannot achieve objective of the Study, which is to identify every Fisher family that originated in medieval Britain (i.e. England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales). Therefore we are collecting every historical and genealogical record that refers to a Fisher from circa 1200 to 1901. Selective datasets throughout this period have been used to map the geographical distrubution of the surname through the ages. This enables us to pinpoint the most likely geographical origins of the oldest Fisher families. This in turn gives an indication of the likely numbers of separate Fisher families. Currently I estimate there are at least 250 such families from which approximately 250,000 Fishers living today descend. So far only 8 Fishers have been tested - it's a small start. The DNA survey will only be successful when large numbers of Fishers have been tested. I recognise that $99 is a significant investment for apparently very little immediate benefit. Understandably what most people want to learn is which Fisher family they belong to. However, most Fishers tracing their ancestry through documentary sources will get no further than say AD1750-1800. But the majority (of Fishers) will have an ancestor (called Fisher) who lived around AD1300-1400. By combining DNA, traditional genealogical research and geographical distribution analysis the Fisher Surname Study aims to fill that gap. This is not a magical solution it will take several years of hard work but this multi-disciplinary approach is the evitable future of genealogy. Be part of it! Finally, there is no value in establishing multiple Fisher DNA programs, collating all available Fisher DNA is the only sensible way forward. Clearly not every Fisher living today will be British in origin there are other groups - the most siginificant being those with Germanic (Germany, Switzerland, Austria, etc.) ancestry. These groups - with their distinct history, genealogy and genetics -warrant setting up a separate study in theri own right. John Fisher fisher@one-name.org http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fisherclan