In a message dated 11/7/2006 11:48:13 AM Central Standard Time, ross-request@rootsweb.com writes: > (and I was even considering doing the DNA test - that would have been > interesting). Well you can still be tested if you are a direct male line from William Douglas to prove your Douglas ancestry. Maybe you can even claim some inheritance. < smile> I'm working with a collateral cousin who knew he was illigitimate and kept his maternal surname and even knew his paternal surname -- pretty much like you. Now the kicker, his DNA matches a different surname. This is all pre 1810. I actually think that he is correct with his father's surname because he has one more match with that surname and that the odd surname resulted from a similar experience in an earlier generation. So much fun. Take care. Marilyn