I agree with Sam, and would like to add that coincidentally (?) there has also been a sudden surge in soliciting DNA interest on my Cain-L list. Not sure where the interst originated on either list, but we ought to be sure there isn't someone actively stirring up the Rootsweb lists over this. I am not a big believer in coincidences. On the plus side, this is the most activity on this list in years, and I have heard from Thomas descendents that I didn't realize were out there. Candy >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:59:50 -0400 Sam Thomas <[email protected]> wrote. >I am seeing a lot of interest in gene DNA testing here on the THOMAS list. There are pros and cons to this. > >1. The basic cost is about $160 for the 12 marker and $250 for the 25 marker test. > >2. And, certainly, the 25 marker test is more accurate [99.999 There, however, still remains a 1 in 100,000 person mismatch or 10 in 1 million or 3650 in 365 million. So, totally conclusive it is NOT! If you have evidence, from census or other record, that you are the descendant of "JOHN DOE", you probably are. DNA testing would simply confirm it ... if ... > >3. And to the end of that confirmation, one has to have a valid, ancestors DNA sample for testing. >OK .... so, who is going to have grandpa and great grandpa exhumed? :-) >And, at what cost, both financially and in family discontent? This level of DNA testing is, obvious, NOT inexpensive. > >4. These are PATERNITY tests, requiring a test sample from a male member of the family. If you are male descendant, or have a living brother or cousin, you have a chance. The farther off of the main family line you are or your sample donor is, the lower the probability of accuracy. > >5. OK! So now you have your DNA charter with 25 markers. So, what do you do with the charter? What lab is going to do the matching? More importantly, "WHO" is doing the matching? A qualified genetics professional is required for this and this is NOT a lab technician. These people carry a PhD behind their name and specialize in this field, and not in art, music or business. These are medical research professionals. > >In today's marketplace, whatever you do, exercise due caution in conduct of business over the internet. Know who you are dealing with and what you are going to receive for what you pay. There are some real scams and scam-artists out there, just waiting to collect the money from those who do not heed these words of warning. Don't be a victim! > >Otherwise, I hope each person, that participates in this DNA endeavor, enjoys the outcome of this endeavor in good health and spirit. > >A concerned cousin ... >List Administrator, ROOTSWEB.COM > > > >==== THOMAS Mailing List ==== > If you're not already a Rootsweb member, please join with us! > RootsWeb Gen. Data Coop. Box 6798 Frazier Park, CA 93222 > http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html >

Hi All Thank you Sam & Candy for the concerns and for the points of concern. I am certainly interested in hearing all that can be said (pro & con) about this idea before we jump in and do it. I am the one who wrote to the list asking if there was any interest. My only motivation is that I have seen good results in my Drake family (see results at http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jdrake71053/DrakeDnaResults.html ). I would love to find a way to find possible links between the 2-3 east Tennessee THOMAS families and suggested this as a possibility. I am in no way affiliated with FamilyTreeDNA.com and only understand as much about the process as is posted on their site. As the volunteer group admin. of the project....IF we choice to participate, I have received information as to how we should proceed. I will type that up and send it along to the list within the next hour. Thank you again for all the thoughts and comments. Bonnie Thomas Chaffin ----- Original Message ----- From: "candywagner" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 2:28 PM Subject: Re: [THOMAS] Y-DNA Testing for Paternal Determination > I agree with Sam, and would like to add that coincidentally (?) there has > also been a sudden surge in soliciting DNA interest on my Cain-L list. Not > sure where the interst originated on either list, but we ought to be sure > there isn't someone actively stirring up the Rootsweb lists over this. I am > not a big believer in coincidences. > On the plus side, this is the most activity on this list in years, and I > have heard from Thomas descendents that I didn't realize were out there. > Candy > > >On Thu, 16 Oct 2003 12:59:50 -0400 Sam Thomas <[email protected]> > wrote. > >I am seeing a lot of interest in gene DNA testing here on the THOMAS list. > There are pros and cons to this. > > > >1. The basic cost is about $160 for the 12 marker and $250 for the 25 > marker test. > > > >2. And, certainly, the 25 marker test is more accurate [99.999 There, > however, still remains a 1 in 100,000 person mismatch or 10 in 1 million or > 3650 in 365 million. So, totally conclusive it is NOT! If you have evidence, > from census or other record, that you are the descendant of "JOHN DOE", you > probably are. DNA testing would simply confirm it ... if ... > > > >3. And to the end of that confirmation, one has to have a valid, ancestors > DNA sample for testing. > >OK .... so, who is going to have grandpa and great grandpa exhumed? :-) > >And, at what cost, both financially and in family discontent? This level of > DNA testing is, obvious, NOT inexpensive. > > > >4. These are PATERNITY tests, requiring a test sample from a male member of > the family. If you are male descendant, or have a living brother or cousin, > you have a chance. The farther off of the main family line you are or your > sample donor is, the lower the probability of accuracy. > > > >5. OK! So now you have your DNA charter with 25 markers. So, what do you do > with the charter? What lab is going to do the matching? More importantly, > "WHO" is doing the matching? A qualified genetics professional is required > for this and this is NOT a lab technician. These people carry a PhD behind > their name and specialize in this field, and not in art, music or business. > These are medical research professionals. > > > >In today's marketplace, whatever you do, exercise due caution in conduct of > business over the internet. Know who you are dealing with and what you are > going to receive for what you pay. There are some real scams and > scam-artists out there, just waiting to collect the money from those who do > not heed these words of warning. Don't be a victim! > > > >Otherwise, I hope each person, that participates in this DNA endeavor, > enjoys the outcome of this endeavor in good health and spirit. > > > >A concerned cousin ... > >List Administrator, ROOTSWEB.COM > > > > > > > >==== THOMAS Mailing List ==== > > If you're not already a Rootsweb member, please join with us! > > RootsWeb Gen. Data Coop. Box 6798 Frazier Park, CA 93222 > > http://www.rootsweb.com/rootsweb/how-to-subscribe.html > > > > > ==== THOMAS Mailing List ==== > THOMAS Family Mail List Archives: > courtesy of Rootsweb, our gracious host! > http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl > Just type in the mail list's name: THOMAS > >