> David,Thanks for sharing.I think everyone has a longing to know who we are and where we came from.I hope this project will reveal overtime who my great grandfather was.I know he was a Powell.It is too bad the stigma of illigetimacy has robbed us of knowledge of our forefathers.Keep searching.I know i will. Sylvia jones ferriter.kit number (james Jones) From: "David.E Smith" <[email protected]> >Date: 2008/05/01 Thu AM 08:46:12 CDT >To: [email protected] >Subject: Re: [POWELL-DNA] Adoption and DNA >** Reply Requested by 5/2/2008 (Friday) ** > > As one of the adopted people mentioned in the Gold group I feel as though I have something of substance to offer your friend, Ron. As I tend to forget that I'm addressing a group instead of one individual I'll keep THIS brief; this adventure, and I use the term specifically, started one summer morning in a Walmart of all places. It's been a real roller-coaster ride that isn't anywhere near finished. I was adopted at birth and have always known I was adopted and never really questioned it until an incident happened that led me to think of the other people involved. I decided I owed it to them to let them know what happened to me and that all things considered, I faired pretty well. The people that wipe the runny noses, that sit through the recitals, that bandage the knees and, occasionally dole out discipline ARE the people you call mom and dad. That's to say nothing against the people who, for many and mostly valid reasons, had to make some extremely difficult deci! s! > ions. Decisions that, usually break one's heart. If humans were perfect we wouldn't need someone like God to look after us. We make mistakes. And mistakes of the heart are the biggest and most profound of all. > It's been nearly twelve years since I started this adventure and what I've found out along the way has been enlightening, exciting, troubling and downright awe inspiring. There is still a lot to learn and I wouldn't trade ANY of it for any price. The people I've met, the acceptance offered by total strangers, the pride of knowing some of my ancestors were founding fathers of this great nation and the chance to fill in some blanks that, for one reason or another, OTHER people have wondered and been troubled about, has all been worth it. I still only know about half of the story. I've met my mother and found out that she was and is a very troubled woman. I feel I've fulfilled the obligation to her to let her know that this child fared pretty well. It was all I could do but it gave me some satisfaction and helped me to accept that it was about all I could do. The history I've learned has shed light on me and the reasons I do things sometimes. In other places it's cast s! h! > adows. I am and will continue to seek my father's family because one mistake or "bad apple" doesn't ruin the entire basket and I've two beautiful daughters and one (so far) granddaughter to show them. If my father is still alive and I am fortunate to meet him I will offer my forgiveness (for whatever it may be worth) and offer whatever life I and he have left. > Advice offered here comes with no strings, take it or leave it; take a shot in the dark with this DNA thing. We stand at a threshold of human knowledge that is heretofore unheralded in recorded history. Thanks to DNA and some wonderful people who were willing to share what they've learned I now know more about my ancestors from 400 years ago than I know about my own father. But it was and is worth it. And if your friend manages to find a surname project that is fortunate enough to benefit from some excellent management like the Powell project then I feel like answers will eventually appear and he will be glad he took the chance. > WHEW!! Okay. I said short, didn't I!? Alright, Alright, I get the message. But to be fair, my story, as well as a lot of others is a long and eventful one. This little tidbit only touches to surface. I'm happy to share with anyone who is curious about it. My story, however, is not that unigue. Many of us have similar stories and only a few find the courage to ask the questions. > To give it a rest, and for what it's worth, my counsel is to "take the chance". I took the chance, found some answers, drove nearly 800 miles to meet people who had never seen me before in our lives, found acceptance and if I never find or get anything else, I'll take it gladly. It's good for the soul. > If you, your friend or anyone else wants to know more about it my info appears at the bottom. Contact me off line or phone. One of these days AT&T is going to get their act straight and I'll get the home thing going. Until then.......... David (Kit #31545) (Now, what did I do with my coffee cup........?) > >DAVID E. SMITH >TDOT/Reg #3/Right of Way/Excess Land > 6601 Centennial Bvld, 2nd Floor >Nashville, TN 37243 >[email protected] >(615) 350-4229 >fax (615) 350-4291/4410 > > >>>> Jim Barrett <[email protected]> 5/1/2008 7:00 AM >>> >Ron, > > I have to agree with Robert. If the birth father was from the US the chance is much better. As Robert pointed out, he may not find a match today but he might tomorrow. Results are being added that fast. > > The down side is that if he has a common Haplotype he may match 100's of people and many different surnames. This would require testing of additional markers to limit the number of matches. As I tell all new contacts I'd start with 37 markers. > > If there is a project for his adoptive surname I think he should order his kit through it. There is an "Adoptees" surname project and he could join through it. They require that you start with 37 markers. Another option it to join through one of my projects and then move to the project form a matched surname if one is found. > > Jim Barrett - Timpson, TX > >"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: > Ron, > >That is difficult to answer. I would say there is a reasonable chance that >your friend might find a surname group that matched his DNA. There are two >individuals in the Powell Gold group that were fortunate enough to do that. >If I was him, I would take the chance. If he doesn't find a match in the >database today, he may in the future. > >Robert Powell > >Original Message: >----------------- >From: powbak [email protected] >Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:55:59 -0500 >To: [email protected] >Subject: [POWELL-DNA] Adoption and DNA > > >I am inquiring on behalf of a friend who is adopted. He has no idea what >his biological surname might be; however, he is curious whether DNA testing >would be helpful. Is the database of generic tests large enough and is the >computer capability sufficiently robust to place him in a potential surname >group? > >Thanks you, > >Ron Powell > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message