Hi, There have been quite a genealogy few break throughs using mtDNA(not nearly as many as yDNA). William Hurst admin of the Hurst DNA program at FTDNA and a member of genealogy-dna a mailing list at rootsweb can direct you to quite a few references. But, it is not easy as like you point out the female's surname changes. Personally I'm not quite sure how it is done and when I get my mtdna results I'm going to ask William for advice on how to proceed, but it has been done. yDNA is much simpler as the name (of course different spellings) does not really change and if it were a male testing I would also suggest to first test the yDNA as you can get faster results although, there is no guarantee you will match any one at first. We have only four people tested in the Gilpin project and have found three different lineages proven by yDNA. WE Gilpin researchers always thought there was only one founder of the surname.. this proves us all wrong. So you may find surprises in your testing but it will help you from trying to find proof (documentation) in the wrong lineage and although it can not prove who you common ancestor is it really can prove who he is not. I find all aspects of DNA testing festinating. just my two cents worth Nelda By the way if you know of a Gilpin please refer him to the Gilpin DNA project at: Nelda's websites - http://freepages.folklore.rootsweb.com/~bonsteinandgilpin/ Gilpin DNA Project Co-Cordinator