Mandy and everyone, I hope this is alright to forward regarding DNA testing. I thought it was interesting. If it is inappropriate, please let me know. Maybe if Gene drinks a couple of more Mellow Yellow it will go for it. (joke>>) Betty Brackett Knight (with one lost GGgrandma, Mary Queen, bc1824,NC) >From: FaberCove@aol.com >To: bettyknight@hotmail.com, efavre@linknet.net, JUPEP@aol.com >Subject: Walker DNA Project >Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 19:00:35 EST >_ > > >Hi Walker Researchers...... > >If you've been keeping up with the latest news in the genealogical >community, >then you've probably heard about DNA and its promise for genealogy. Now, a >number of DNA testing facilities have made it possible and affordable for >those interested in establishing -- or disproving -- a paternal link >between >individuals with a common surname. > >One firm I have contacted (GeneTree, Inc.) can analyze and compare 12 >different systems on the Y-chromosome between members who have an unbroken >male lineage. This is because the Y-chromosome is passed, for example, >from >gg-grandfather to g-grandfather to grandfather to father to son, and on and >on. Therefore, if your gg-grandfather had a brother, who had a son, who >had >a son, who had a son, who had a son, this son would be your 4th cousin. >And >if tradition has held strong through the generations, you should also share >the same Surname. Additionally, if the biological relationship holds >strong, >then you should also share the same Y-chromosome (only males have a >Y-chromosome). If a Y-chromosome analysis indicates a match then it >supports >the claim that you are both from the same common male ancestor in an >unbroken >lineage. If the Y-chomosomes do not closely match it would indicate that >the >relationship is not possible. > >There is also a corresponding mtDNA test for maternally-linked females that >would substantiate or disprove a common maternally-linked female ancestor. >Mothers pass their mtDNA to both male and female children. However, it >stops >with the male children and only passes on down through the daughters. > >I would like to invite an open discussion among us to try to generate >enough >interest to undertake a study like this. I am working with another Walker >descendant (from another line) who is recruiting members of her extended >Walker group for a similar anaylis. She plans on opening the project up to >as many Walkers as will participate. All Walkers would benefit from a >study >like this. > >The testing lab would send out specimen collection kits which involves a >painless use of a swab to collect a small amount of cells containing DNA >from >the inside of a person's cheek. The discounted price of approximately $170 >each is being offered for participants in groups of 20 or more for a >Y-chromosome test of the paternally-linked living male descendant of your >WALKER line. You will receive the results. The lab will maintain a >database >of results as well for matching purposes as more and more studies are done. >If you are a female, maybe you have a brother or a male first cousin from >your Walker family available to be tested. > >My brother, a living paternally-linked descendant of Stephen Walker b 1782, >is available for Y-chromosome and mtDNA testing from my line. > >There is a down side to the testing. It can't tell you degree of >relationship; only that you do or do not share a common ancestor. Also, >you >could get disappointing information, such as a broken link which would >suggest an unreported adoption or other non-paternal event in your line. >However, even if this were so, I would rather know the truth. But it >should >always be considered as a possiblility. > >Hopefully, a project like this could narrow our research focus by at least >eliminating some lines. The more WALKER participants we have, the better >the >chance of enough results for comparison. > >If you would like to find out more about ongoing family surname projects, >there are several websites. The results are in on the MUMMA surname >project. > >http://www.mumma.org/DNA.htm (Mumma Family) > >http://www.genetree.com (testing laboratory) >http://www.familytreedna.com/ (another testing lab) > >Please let me know what you think! >Suzanne Hallstrom >fabercove@aol.com > _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com