This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Allison, Ellison Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/kg.2ADI/120.1.1.1.1.3.1.1 Message Board Post: Dear Theresa, I am not a descendant of Albert Ward Allison. I found one date of death for Mary Kassinger at http://trees.ancestry.com/owt/person.aspx?pid=42590114&st=1 but there doesn't seem to be a way to contact the person who posted it to learn what documentation might exist to prove her date of death. My brother is a participant in the Allison/Ellison Y-chromosome DNA Project. His DNA test results prove that our Allison line shares a common ancestry with descendants of of Benjamin Allison, who migrated to Greenbrier Co., VA in the late 1700s and then later to Gallia Co. OH and Pike Co. IL.. The DNA score of a descendant of Benjamin perfectly matches the DNA score of my brother. The earliest proven ancestor of my brother and me is our G5 grandfather, Joseph Allison who died in Goshen in Orange Co., NY in 1755. Y-Chromosome DNA is passed from father to son down through the generations just as surnames are passed from father to son. Only men inherit the Y-chromosome, therefore only men with the Allison or Ellison surnames (or variant spellings) who are biological descendants of their Allison/Ellison ancestors can be participants in the Allison/Ellison Y-chromosome DNA Family Reconstruction Project. Our Allison/Ellison DNA Project Results webpage is online. The URL is: http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~allisonellisondna/index.htm The DNA results and pedigree charts of the Orange Co., NY Allisons/Ellisons and the Allisons who migrated to Greenbrier Co., VA can be seen in Group B. The method of obtaining the DNA cells is simple and painless and doesn't involve any drawing of blood . The type of DNA that is analyzed for genealogical purposes doesn't provide any data about medical conditions. The DNA testing company sends a small tube with Q-tip-like swabs to each participant. All that needs to be done is to swab the inside of the cheek to collect some cells, replace the swabs in the tube and mail it back to the company . In about 9 weeks the company informs the participants about the results and lets them know if their score matches anyone else in the DNA database. Y-chromosome DNA testing is enhancing traditional genealogical research. DNA testing is NOT intended to be a "stand-alone method" of learning about your ancestry. However, it can be of great assistance in furthering traditional research, especially when a participant's DNA marker scores match the marker scores of another man who shares his surname. It may an Allison or Ellison family the clue they've been searching for to narrow down the place of origin of their early ancestors. The Allison/Ellison DNA Project has been formed to further genealogical research through the use of DNA analysis. If you know of a biological Allison or Ellison male who would consider participating, please contact me for information about costs, how to join the project, etc. Best wishes, Mary Allison Yonan Co-administrator, ALLISON /ELLISON DNA Project yonan@fgi.net