Not long ago, prior to the recent DNA discussions, someone on this list mentioned the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation project. Please see: http://www.smgf.org I would like to ask you all to consider having your family participate in this free DNA genealogy project if you are able to. It appears this is open to males of any surname, as long as you have an ancestor born before 1900 clearly documented. In contrast to most other DNA projects this one is free, and as was noted previously it applies a rigid standard of documentation. It also has a focus on both Y-DNA and mtDNA, and it looks like a very worthwhile project to participate in. See: http://www.smgf.org/pages/overview.jspx "Y-chromosome DNA results and pedigree charts are available for searching in the Sorenson Database. Y-DNA results and pedigrees help you trace your direct paternal line. "SMGF plans to release the Sorenson Mitochondrial Database in the second half of 2006. mtDNA results and pedigrees can help you trace your direct maternal line." It's worth reading up on this to understand the project better. They don't give you the results of your own DNA testing but they do make it available in their database. So it appears that it's not dificult to find your results and to then compare these to other surname specific DNA projects. They offer some databases of the resutls to date, and this appears to be linked to proven trees in a way that could be helpful to any reasearchers. An overview of the database is offered here: http://www.smgf.org/pages/sorensondatabase.jspx It's a little more complicated than some other surname specific testing projects I've seen. But those tend to have inconsistent testing standards and in some cases suffer from problems with two different kinds of tests that don't match up. The Sorenson project will database a broader spectrum of surnames and apply scientific research principles to this. You may even find some useful clues and leads from the info already in the database without participating. If you participate are able to find your DNA results through the related trees they link to, but all living generations are kept anonymous. This is non-profit, and personal data is not shared or kept on file. It links to some LDS related trees in some cases but claims to be independent. As I understand it, to participate you need to be a male (of any surname) and need to submit 4 generations of data including yourself, and have an ancestor born before 1900. I heard that they want proven genealogical data for the generations submitted. That sounds like a good thing, but could add some cost out of your pocket if you don't already have the necessary documentation. It appears likely that by taking the broader approach that this uses in contrast to surname specific Y-DNA projects that this could build a very useful mtDNA database to offer some clarity on maternal lines also. Because this is free it seems worth forwarding more info on this to get broader participation. It stikes me that the cost of current surname specific DNA projects is one of the main obstacles preventing broader participation, and it seems that it should be possible to take the results from participating in the Sorenson project and to contribute those to other surname specific projects.