Well said, Gene. It is very important to remember that any individual's total DNA signature (fingerprint, so to speak) is unique, but it is also the result of the continual remixing of genetic material from generation to generation and includes snippets of DNA from all the grandfathers, grandmothers, great grandfathers and great grandmothers that have come before. That is why the YDNA is unique and so important for genealogists. It is only passed from father to son, it is not remixed, and it does not change except very very rarely and only from "internal" causes - mutations that occur during the process of DNA replication when the genetic material is being cloned to the next generation. That's right, when it comes to YDNA, all us male descendants are pretty much clones! Except for Gene, who pretty much insists on doing things his own way no matter what, right! This is also why YDNA is not useful for Crime Scene Investigation - implicates all male descendants from a common ancestor in the crime. But good-old regular reshuffled and unique DNA is useful for CSI - unless of course you are trying nail O.J.. Hey! But the glove didn't fit! Yeah! But the DNA glove did! Anyway, Gene's message provides a great and easy to understand explanation. thanks Rolla http://webpages.charter.net/rlqueen/DNA/queenmarker.htm http://www.familytreedna.com/public/queenDNA/ http://webpages.charter.net/rlqueen -------Original Message------- From: O Eugene Queen Date: 07/23/05 06:29:45 To: [email protected] Subject: [QUEEN] YDNA Not Individually Unique Greetings all, Perhaps one characteristic of YDNA has not been adequately explained to those who hesitate to participate as donors. I'd like to try and explain and will welcome any additional facts/assurances YDNA as used in the Queen YDNA Project is absolutely NOT unique to an individual. (If it were, then the DNA project would be of absolutely no value to family researchers.) Thus, YDNA cannot be used to identify a specific participant, his father, grandfather, brother, etc. YDNA is unique only to a family lineage and that unique characteristic can be traced for many generations of the male lineage. Examples: We have results of samples of 6 or more living male Queens whose YDNA is an exact replica of the YDNA of William Queen of 1716-20. Thus, every male Queen in the direct lineage of these participants to William carried this same YDNA. And....most or all of these donors are NOT closely related (not brothers, father/son, first cousins, etc.) In my own situation where we have samples from a number of documented family relationships, the following has been proven thus far: 1. My YDNA is an exact copy of the YDNA of a first cousin that has also provided a sample. 2. The YDNA of my first cousin is an exact copy of that of my father. 3. My YDNA is an exact copy of my first cousin's father. 4. Since my cousin's father was a brother to my dad; the YDNA of our grandfather is the same as our YDNA. Conclusion: Any concern or fear that "omigosh someone knows what my YDNA is" is totally unfounded. The University of Arizona is not testing areas of the Y chromosome identifying us as unique individuals; it is testing those markers that identify us as similar to others. It is this similarity in YDNA that is useful to family researchers. No one cares what the "total identify" is of all possible markers on a strand of chromosome. This would make a sample unique, thus of no benefit to any Queen researcher. I will certainly be willing to discuss this issue privately by phone or e-mail with anyone who has concerns in this regard. We can also put such persons in contact with the folks who are truly experts in the field of family YDNA research. Keep the samples coming! Thanks, Gene ==== QUEEN Mailing List ==== QUEEN (Q500) at ROOTSWEB http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/q/u/QUEEN/ QUEEN YDNA PROJECT http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=X96855&special=True http://www.ysearch.org/ ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.9.4/57 - Release Date: 7/22/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.9.4/57 - Release Date: 7/22/2005