[email protected] writes: > I am afraid to go anywhere near the DNA situation (sarcasm).  I have way > too many first cousin marriages in my direct ancestry!  I am just glad I > have the requisite number of fingers and toes.  The number of times I am > directly related to the first Accomack ancester, Olive, for example, is > shocking.  It does, however,  make doing my "tree" easier.  Since there are so > many duplicates, I have to research fewer people.  Nevertheless I am shocked > by my own ancestry!  If your family did not leave the Eastern shore until > the 1930's, you too are probably in the same situation.  Liz > My Accomack/Worcester County ancestors left by 1800 for points West and I also have lines that intermarried before and after leaving. Add to that a large Quaker ancestry from Chester Co, PA, some first and second cousin marriage and it's a wonder more of their descendants don't look alike! lol Y-DNA has been very helpful to determine common ancestry for several lines. Plus, one family on my maternal side had 22/37 matching markers to my dad's family; both families emigranted from southern England and had Celtic heritage. Eleanor