This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/gAC.2ACE/2714 Message Board Post: An exciting DNA study has been initiated within the last year to "scientifically" aid family genealogists researching the surnames of Reed, Reid, Read, Riedt, etc. in establishing whether they share a common (Reed, et al) ancestor with a fellow Reed researcher or not. This is basically achieved by the use of a comparative, worldwide database of DNA samples collected from males having the surname of Reed (or any other spelling variant thereof). Lisa (nee Reed) Alther, the project coordinator for this study, strongly encourages any male having the surname of Reed (et al) to participate, as well as to forward this info onto others that may also be interested. Although the study began as a means to help identify the ancestral origins of our long-standing "brick wall", George Reed, Sr., who was apparently born c 1730 (in either Europe or PA), and died in 1807, in then-Montgomery Co., VA (present-day Floyd Co., VA). Regarding the usefulness of this study, it’s results can clearly be used to scientifically "rule in or out" a potential Reed ancestor for a given Reed researcher/study participant, especially when "the old paper trail" in one's genealogical research has "run cold". In short, it does so by analyzing select (12, 25 or 37) portions of the y-DNA sample (a mere cheek swab~ that's all) provided by a male Reed decendant/test participant, and comparing the results to other researchers/participants, to establish whether there's a close enough DNA match to conclude if two given participants share a common ancestor or not. Tests typically run from $99 (for analysis of 12 y-DNA markers ~typically sufficient), to approx. $169 for the 25-marker analysis (what I used~ a good middle-of-the-road choice for common surnames) to approx $229 for a 37-marker analysis (typically relegated for further analysis only, as 12 or 25-marker matches may warrant). Results are typically received w! ithin 6 to 8 weeks from the time you return the sample in the container they provide (via mail). In the end, should all 12 (or even 11 of 12) of your y-DNA markers match another area researcher's/participant's (in a 12-marker test), then you essentially know that you share a common Reed ancestor within the last couple of hundred years. On the other hand, should 3 or more y-markers be different, then any common ancestor (should one even exist) would likely extend back several hundred, or even thousands of years back, as these y-markers rarely mutate (only once about every 500 generations or so, if my memory serves me correctly). Should a perfect match be found, then each matching participant would be notified by the lab, and allowed to correspond/share research with each other, should they both consent to do so, etc. But doing so would then allow each participant to share their research, narrow down their research agenda using new/common leads, and, more importantly, eliminate from contention any potential Reed/Reid/Read ancestors (from previous research) whose descendant's sample doesn't match their own. Although that's basically "it in a nutshell", I would strongly recommend that all potential participants visit the websites provided elsewhere in this posting (for example, http://www.familytreedna.com ) for further background information on this study, as well as how to get started. As for me, I'm happy to say that I've already had one (12 for 12, y-DNA) match with another known George Reed, Sr. descendant (the project coordinator ~ the only match from the American database to date, I might add), which has, indeed, highly encouraged me. In fact, I finally sense that my long-standing brick wall will eventually come down - all with the help of modern-day scientific methods. In closing, I must point out that the more regional participants we have, the quicker we will be able to help identify exactly which Reed/Reid/Read descendants in the region are actually related (or not) - especially since family surname spellings have changed on more than one occasion over the centuries. In fact, a "Reed" residing VA in the 1780s, may very well have "Reid" descendants living in Missouri, as census takers, county clerks, etc over the last couple of centuries brought their own spelling "biases" or shortcomings to the table, if you will - most of which went uncorrected, and were sometimes adopted by a pioneer family that may not have either been educated enough, or caring enough to correct the record back then. Whatever the case, in the end, the notion that genealogists finally have a scientific tool (DNA analysis) to aid in breaking through our genealogical "brick walls", and helping identify our true immigrant ancestor's homeland is quite exciting, to say th! e least. In closing, I must remind you that this study is for "ALL" male Reed/Reith/Reid, etc descendants to participate in, not just those suspected of descending from the aforementioned George Reed. As stated earlier, the larger our (US and European) database, the greater potential for making more genetic connections with other participants, and the sooner we'll be able to obtain "real" headway in our genealogical research. European databases, by the way, are growing every month as well, and even predate those in America (dating before 2000). They are also available on the web for comparing results - a very exciting notion as well. Bob P.S. Again, only "males" having the surname of "Reed. "Reid", Read","Reade", "Rieth", "Riedt", "Riet", etc can participate in this study. ============= Hi, Bob, Nice to hear from you. I believe my sister-in-law, Dale Reed, has been in touch with you in the past (if it's the same Bob Reed) and has told me about the important research angles you've already covered. Your work, along with Susan Jurban's on Reed deeds in the Franklin County, VA area, and Charles Thomas's on Reed taxes in the same area, led us to believe that if information concerning George's wife, parents, and country of origin were embedded in the documents, one of you would have found it by now. Hence, the resort to DNA. To answer your questions, the Y-DNA test costs $99 at our group rate. Only the kit number and marker numbers appear on the public website, no names. And if a participant prefers, those numbers can remain private too. As to reliability, you can find the statistics in a DNA tutorial at http://www.familytreedna.com. In brief, a male carries the same Y chromosome as his father, grandfather, etc. But a mutation occurs, on average, once every 21 generations or so. In our particular case, my father (descended from George via George, George, George, and William Henry) has a rare Y pattern with no matches in the databases. So if D.L. Reed (the participant who's descended from Caspar Riedt) should match him, it's almost certain they have a common ancestor several generations back (can't remember how many without looking at the charts!). If they don't match, we still have to find another male from each line to test, in order to rule out a non-paternity event. My father's Y haplogroup is I, which suggests the Anglo-Saxon/Viking areas as a place of origin. My grandfather had always said he thought he was Scottish, but my father's markers aren't at all close to those of the Reids in Clan Duncan. Nevertheless, our Reeds could still be from an area in Scotland that was invaded by Germanic or Viking peoples. I'm afraid I haven't explained this well, but a website with a good DNA tutorial is http://www.kerchner.com/dnalinks.htm I'd be delighted to have you participate in the Reed DNA project if it should appeal to you. We'd especially love to have you since you're descended from Andrew. If your markers and my father's matched, then we would know for sure that we have the correct pattern for George the First. You could sign up via me or via the Reed Surname Project page at http://www.familytreedna.com. Please do consider it. It would be a real bonus for our study. Don't hesitate to write again with any concerns or questions, and I'll do my best to address them. ============================================ http://genforum.genealogy.com/reed/messages/11942.html