In a message dated 7/25/2005 4:55:27 P.M. Central Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: Hello Anne, I am sure you read my line. I am the gg-grand-daughter of Elisha WEBB. I have a question on the DNA test. First of all, if I or my brother were to take it even though we do not carry the Webb surname wouldn't the test still pick up the female lineage of the family? This is my understanding. If so, then would it not make sense to take the MDNA for the maternal lines that are documented in this long family line? I appreciate your input on this. Thank you, Mary Wyatt Dear Mary You and your brother (assuming you have the same mother) will have the same mtDNA and it will follow your mother's maternal line, that is: You/Your brother< your mother < your mother's mother < your mother's mother's mother < her mother < HER mother and so on back through time. It won't get at the WEBB DNA. What I think you may thinking about is the REST of DNA which is passed down to children -- and gives you your great grandmother' s nose and your great great grandfather's hair, etc. This is not what is tested for genealogy.And what is tested in DNA HAS to be on the two lines Male or Female. If you can get your mother's brothers son or grandson to give DNA he will have Arthur's Y-DNA (if she had a brother or brothers). In your case, I'd also try to track down a male descendent of Wm J (1874, GA - ) or Jack or Thomas (the other boys shown in Arthur's household) to test. Let me know if you have any other questions. Anne