Bill: I descend from 20+ New Haven families, not including the Tuttles, but there is intermarriage with them on most lines. See, http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~scperkins/jabez.html for my New Haven ancestry. (Please note that #s 35 and 36 can be taken back several more generations to Wrawby Parish, co. Lincoln, Eng.) Y DNA surname studies look at a certain area of the Y chromosome that is passed down from father to son with no or little variation. When males have a similar DNA signature and share the same last name, we can infer a relationship and descent from a common ancestor some time in the past. What we can't do is determine the exact relationship, such as father and son, or uncle and nephew, from the DNA alone. In the absence of other documentation, the DNA either indicates a genetic relationship, or it denies a genetic relationship. When used with other documentation, it can confirm or deny suspected relationships. It can help you to focus your research on those lines of a family that you are genetically related to, instead of looking at all lines hoping to find something that connects you. The more people of a certain surname who test, the greater is the likelihood that a new person joining the study will find a matching line to research. At this time we are just starting to build the databases of results that will really pay off in about 5 to 10 years. Usually you can search at http://www.worldfamilies.net/ to find surname DNA studies. I found the following links for a Toole and O'Toole etc., study: http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=C81712&special=True&pro jecttype=S and http://www.sanfordtoole.atfreeweb.com/dna_project.htm While Tuttle is not listed there, I expect the coordinator of the study, [email protected] would be happy to have Tuttles join the study. As part of a study you get a special reduced price. To see another example of a DNA study, there is the Parkins and Perkins Y DNA study at this address: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~scperkins/PerkinsDNA.html I run 8 studies and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Best Wishes for the Holidays! Steven C. Perkins > Hi Steven: I am open minded about this issue and would like to hear more about your proposal. I might very well be willing to participate. My original Tuttle that landed at Rumney Marsh, MA came from England. However, after a short period of time, he wrote that he was "returning to Carrifergus, Ireland". He did go there and he died there. The significance of the word "returning" is uncertain to me, but may be quite significant. There are Tuttles in Ireland to this very day. My Tuttle line moved on to New Haven, CT and then to NY before ending up in Nova Scotia as Loyalists. I would be pleased to hear back from you about the DNA testing. Happy Holidays! Regards, Bill. > > Family names being researched: TUTTLE, PINGREE, WEATHERBEE, STETSON, > ELLERSHAW, COTE, LEFEBVRE, WESTHAVER > > William R. Tuttle, Esq. > [email protected] >