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