As a few others have mentioned, there is no need to dig up grandpa. His DNA exists in all of his descendants. Surely, you know all of your first cousins or at least know of them. Since the Y-chromosome is passed on from father to son and only rarely mutates, your paternal lines should match exactly (with the exception of a few mutations along the way) with any other descendant of the same man. This is why it is not necessary to dig up grandpa - he lives in your DNA! In my case, I'd have to locate a male Thomas cousin. I've not found one yet! I also am not the person this was addressed to, but I have been involved with the Shelton DNA study for a year or so now, so thought I would add what I have discovered. Go here for more info (DNA 101) http://blairgenealogy.com/dna/dna101.html Tina Hall -----Original Message----- From: Sam Thomas [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 7:27 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [THOMAS] Y-DNA Testing for Paternal Determination Ok, Cousins .... NOBODY BIT THE BAIT QUESTION: WHO IS GOING TO GO DIG UP GRANDPA? :-) You have to compare a REFERENCE DNA pattern against the SAMPLE DNA pattern, both loci amplitude and incidence. GRANDPA is the REFERENCE. Randy Thomas, Being a geneticist, would you be so kind as to give us some insight into the probability factors and the overall process? How, for example, might I link to my G-G-G-G-G-G Grandfather, without a DNA sample from him? Other than locating cousins, what does one have to gain? Sam Thomas Roswell, Georgia 770-643-8880 ==== THOMAS Mailing List ==== Need list assistance? Please contact: [email protected] List Adm for THOMAS-L and THOMAS-D