Just for the record, While it is possible that you link to one of those other surnames, the odds are much higher against it than if you share the same surname. Unless a name was changed or someone was adopted or a fox got into the henhouse it is unlikely that you are related to those other surnames. A 37 for 37 match with someone with your surname does indicate very high probability of a common male ancestor within 500 years (within the historical record period). And the truth is that if you go back far enough, we all probably share an ancestor within the time frame of Homo Sapiens (modern man). Brec Morton ----- Original Message ----- From: "PRSmith" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 7:46 PM Subject: RE: [JOHNSON] DNA Hi Linda -- I am a 37 for 37 marker match to a JOHNSON, a 36 of 37 marker match to a TALLEY and a 33 of 37 marker match to a STEWARD - we all share common ancestors back there someplace. My last name is SMITH and I have my SMITH lineage back 6 generations to the mid-1700's. Don't get too wrapped up in surnames - widen your field of view. Paul

>>-----Original Message----- >>From: Brec Morton [mailto:[email protected]] >>Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 9:30 PM >>To: [email protected] >>Subject: [JOHNSON] DNA relationships >>Just for the record, While it is possible that you link to one >>of those >>other surnames, the odds are much higher against it than if you >>share the same surname. Just for the record, we are ALL related back there someplace. The fact that two Y-DNA samples match 37 of 37 alleles tested produces a high probability of a common ancestor in the not too distant past. >>Unless a name was changed or someone was adopted or a fox got >>into the >>henhouse it is unlikely that you are related to those other >>surnames. I disagree. How long ago was it that there were NO surnames? One son became a Johnson and another became a Smith. People often changed their names when they immigrated - especially criminals, those from political hotspots and those from areas where there were significant language differences (surname Americanization). Then, as you have said, there is adoption, child abandonment, orphaned (especially during war), etc. I'm sure this list isn't exhaustive. While I would certainly like to find another Smith with a 37 of 37 match, I am overjoyed to find ANY surname with that close a match. All I'm saying is - don't close your eyes to the possibilities. >>A 37 for 37 match with someone with your surname does indicate >>very high >>probability of a common male ancestor within 500 years (within >>the historical record period). Actually, there is a 99.55% probability that we share a common ancestor within 12 generations - about 300 years. We'll know more when my 67 marker upgrade arrives. If you only look for surname matches, that's all you'll find. The truth is in the DNA - not in the surnames. Paul >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "PRSmith" <[email protected]> >>To: <[email protected]> >>Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 7:46 PM >>Subject: RE: [JOHNSON] DNA >> >> >>Hi Linda -- >> >>I am a 37 for 37 marker match to a JOHNSON, a 36 of 37 marker >>match to a TALLEY and a 33 of 37 marker match to a STEWARD - we >>all share common ancestors back there someplace. My last name >>is >>SMITH and I have my SMITH lineage back 6 generations to the >>mid-1700's. Don't get too wrapped up in surnames - widen your >>field of view. >> >>Paul >> >> >> >> >>==== JOHNSON Mailing List ==== >>Do not forward virus hoaxes or chain letters to mailing lists. >>> >> >> >>============================== >>Find your ancestors in the Birth, Marriage and Death Records. >>New content added every business day. Learn more: >>http://www.ancestry.com/s13964/rd.ashx