Dear List Members: Hello - I am new to this list but not to genealogy . . . I need help on this northern line of the Ruple family . . . . Baltis Ruple is the subject of my inquiry - I am trying to update my book : The Ruple Family in America and its Germanic Heritage, publ 1988. Baltis is the subject of one of the six Ruple/Rupel lines covered in the book, and one of three northern Ruple lines. We know more now than then about how to find Ruple origins and how to prove relatedness of Ruple lines in America. One of the ways we can now do that is to conduct Ruple DNA studies . . We have formed a Ruple surname group with the largest DNA company, Family Tree DNA, and have already successfully tested three southern US lines of the family. WE know however, that an older brother immigrated to PA in 1767 from Switzerland and we are trying now to accomplish at least two goals: (1) prove relatedness (or to connect those that exist separately) of northern Ruple lines; and to (2) try to connect a northern line or lines to the same DNA haplotype we already have tested on file with www.familytreedna.com/public/ruple/ If you descend from Baltis Ruple (and we know you are there in Washinton County as well as in Ohio and elsewhere) please contact me and tell me how you are related to this well known Washington Co military and historical figure. I look forward to visiting with you!! And, if you would like to try and settle Ruple family roadblocks we encourage you to consider joining our YDNA group at Family Tree DNA - - all we need is: (1) join our group; (2) submit a simple cheek cell swab (actually two), and in a few weeks you will have established your special "haplotype" DNA profile which can be compared to other Ruple family males for generations to come Please contact me and tell me about joining our small but growing group, and about how you are related to Baltis!!! Thanks P.S. List members: please contact me if you know of a Ruple descendant who might be interested in this subject!! Thanks Jack Ruple, Sr., J.D. jdroppel@aristotle.net jdroppel@aristotle.net