Sara, On the one hand you are right to raise cautions. DNA is a tool, just like records, tombstones, bibles and family stories. No DNA test gives you a pedigree or even names. The results are gobbley-gook to me, but you are also provided with the names and emails of others who match your results. These are living people who have also spent the time and money to get DNA tested, and most of them are eager to share info. And, yes, you won't get info from some, and you won't find a common ancestor with some. But on the other hand, many of the matches pay off with new info, new contacts, new cousins. You can also use DNA to test a theory when the paper trail runs dry. Bob Bartley and I started the BARTLETT DNA Project to see if our DNA matched, because we felt his BARTLEY ancestor and my BARTLETT ancestor were brothers in early 1700s - they were: exact DNA match. On the other hand, despite the fact that you don't always get the results you want, I strongly feel that every serious genealogist should get their DNA on file for future use as testing gets even better. Fortunately I got my Dad's and my mother's brother's DNA tested before they passed away in 2006. In both cases their DNA made a major breakthrough in my genealogy. Also, in general, I don't think most genealogists need to know the biology or statistics or any of the other technical issue involved in DNA testing in order to use it as a tool in their research, along with their paper trail. I think the Project Admins are there to help with any tech info. But at the end of the day, genealogists still have to compare paper trails with each other, using all the records available, including the fact that these two lines have a DNA match - or not. The magic in DNA is getting a very accurate fact (2 lines match or not). It is then up to the genealogist to use this fact along with all others. If you're lucky you may also get the magic of a good project admin and other surname researchers, who help you. Jim - Sent from my iPhone - FaceTime! On Sep 24, 2010, at 1:39 PM, Sara Pyle <[email protected]> wrote: > Perhaps a lot of people want more information about this type of > project. Here is a Family Tree DNA site url that lists questions and > answers that people might have. Be sure to read all the way to the > bottom. This type of testing is an expensive undertaking and > sometimes the answers are not always satisfactory. > > I run 2 surname projects with FTDNA and definitely support dna > testing. It is a wonderful tool but we still have to do our paper > trail. > > Sara > > > http://www.familytreedna.com/faq/answers/default.aspx?faqid=17#607 > > On Fri, Sep 24, 2010 at 11:52 AM, Paul Pettit <[email protected]> wrote: >> In July, I established a West Virginia DNA Project.... >> >> > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

This thread came at bad time for me, I am headed out of town for the weekend. With the things that have been posted I had to respond to various organizations and people who were brought in on ground level with West Virginia DNA project back in July and August. I have received some emails from both prospective participants and other DNA Project Admin in just a short period of time. I anticipate more later in the evening and over the weekend I am going to be without internet service in the desert until Monday. Some folks have emailed me about problems finding eh Project. It is listed under the Dual Geographic Projects section in the projects starting with "W". If you use rhe search engine on the FTDNA website - they set up the project with an underline between the two words- which must be used to make the search successful: West_Virginia For those who already have DNA test and wish to join the West Virginia DNA Project - I updated the website and there is a new link on this page : http://www.familytreedna.com/public/westvirginia/default.aspx Just select REQUEST TO JOIN THIS GROUP I'll answer any emails or requests for assistance on my return on Monday Best regards Paul Pettit