Hello MORSE / MOSS researchers: As your MORSE / MOSS y-DNA Group Administrators we are delighted to inform you that Family Tree DNA has just sent us a $75 Gift Certificate to be used as follows: Two $30 Gift Certificates to be used only with a NEW PARTICIPANT on a Y-DNA25 or a Y-DNA37 - (one certificate per participant) One $15 Gift Certificate for a NEW mtDNA participant. Kits must be ordered and paid for by December 31st, 2005 and are not valid for test upgrades, add-ons or Y-DNA12. Since we only have 3 Gift Certificates, we will have to honor them in the order requests are received to make it fair for all of our MORSE / MOSS researchers. Please be aware that we will have to assist the winners of the Gift Certificates in obtaining the rebate as there is a special code that needs to be used. Please send your responses to me, Debbie, at jjmcard@mc.net rather than Beverly - just to avoid confusion. For those unfamiliar with y-DNA testing, please visit our MORSE / MOSS website at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Morse%2D2/ and be sure to scroll down to the chart. There are links that will take you to explanations of the DNA process and how it relates to genealogy. The "y" in "y-DNA" identifies the group of markers that are passed from father to son, father to son, father to son, etc. So, by testing a living male MOSS / MORSE, a person can find other living male MORSEs / MOSSs with matching y-DNA indicating they share a common ancestor. It's like identifying the y-DNA of your ancestor who was buried 250 years ago without digging up his grave! Once a participant finds another matching participant within the group, they compare their research, hopefully enabling them to break down some brick walls in their genealogical research. y-DNA testing is particularly helpful with common surnames like MOSS and MORSE - there are so many it is sometimes difficult to sort them out. Y-DNA does that for us. The number "25" or "37" simply identifies the number of markers in the test. Currently tests are available in 12, 25, or 37 markers, the 37-marker test obviously the most revealing. The $30 Gift Certificate offered by Family Tree DNA is good only for a new participant in the 25 or 37 marker test. The mtDNA test group is for the maternal line, but at this point in time is of more anthropological importance and has no real genealogical value. Next let me say that Beverly and I are not affiliated with Family Tree DNA except that we volunteered, as a MORSE / MOSS researchers, to manage the test group. We are not compensated in any way. We believe in the value and future of y-DNA testing in relation to genealogical research, which is why we have invested our time and effort in this surname group. Sincerely, Debbie WARD McArdle & Beverly White WARD y-DNA Group Administrators