The Smiths of Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Yorksurname DNA project is expanding to include all of the New England states because of many requests to do so. This project aims to identify Smith (Smithe, Smyth, and Smythe) families that lived in these states before the 20th Century. Because this is a Y-chromosome DNA study, participants who contribute the DNA sample (a simple cheek swab) need to be male Smiths. If you are a male Smith or have living male Smiths in your line, you may wish to participate directly or by recruiting a participant. If you'd like more information, please contact me at cgaziano@prodigy.net. We have a web page at http://www.smithconnections.com. (People may also join by clicking on http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=J83140.) The DNA samples are processed by Family Tree DNA, www.familytreedna.com, through a lab at the University of Arizona. Participants can order 12-marker, 25-marker, or 37-marker tests. "Markers" are alleles in certain positions on chromosomes. If they begin with a 12-marker test, they can choose to upgrade to a 25- or 37-marker test. If they begin with 25 markers, they can upgrade later, if desired, to a 37-marker test. The costs of the various options are described on the smithconnections.com web site. We receive a reduced rate because of being a group. If your Smiths lived in Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New York and you are hitting brick walls in trying to trace them back in time, you may want to consider participation in this project. Note that there also is a Southern Smiths DNA project, which is well described at http://www.southernsmiths.org. These projects can be helpful in ruling suspected relationships in or out and in determining new geographic areas in which to search. Cecilie Smith Gaziano Administrator New England Smiths cgaziano@prodigy.net