This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: burllawson43 Surnames: lawson Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.lawson/6745.2.2.1.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: As I understand it, paternal DNA is 'not changed' in descendancy for a long time. Thus, testing the paternal line will give matches that should be exact. The DNA line from the maternal line has no affect on the male lines (but can be tested separately for the female descendancy). Thus, while your test show the Falling River basic pattern, it does not fit the exact line. Maybe Carl Lawson has an opinion about having one or two or three variants and what that may mean within one grouping like the Falling River one. Along with the DNA tests, the proof or strength of the actual ancestor data is the confirming part. That is one reason I asked about the 'strength' of your listed ancestors in your earlier note. If there is ample proof, then this gives some very valuable information for those of us in the Falling River Lawson's grouping. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.