I have question for you Dennis. "W59 was added to this family group on 3 May 2005. He matches other members of Family Group #5 on all markers tested, indicating that he shares a common ancestor with that group. His oldest identified ancestor is Robert West, born about 1834 in Hanover County Virginia, married Mary CLAYTON. Robert WEST was African-American, but we are unsure at present whether he was born in slavery. It is likely that his father or grandfather was a slave owner or overseer." If W59 is descended from an African American...why would his Haplo group be R1b? Wouldn't it have showed that at least a part of him came out of Africa whether his ancestor was a slave or freedman and born in this country? Is W59 an African American? and ....... In WEST family group 1 - "Samples W02, W05, W15, and W57 have a very rare marker at DYS 426. The value of 14 for DYS 426 has been found in only 5 of over 12,000 DNA samples analyzed by FTDNA's testing lab." What does this "rarity" indicate? I am a little overwhelmed that so many West lines have been identified as separate from one another. Jeeeeeeeze! I had no idea. I tried to go back and find the exact number of lines but my eyes are crossed from reading so much. VBG I think it was 50+ or so. Thanks for your considerations Dennis in answering my questions. I have to save to get this done and I want to make sure it will satisfy my curiosity or at least prove/disprove our West Link to Jamestown. Sandra

Sandra and all, First, I have corrected the error pointed out by Mike concerning cost of the DNA test, and thanked him for his help. Sandra's Questions: > "W59 was added to this family group on 3 May 2005. He matches other > members of Family Group #5 on all markers tested, indicating that he > shares a common ancestor with that group. His oldest identified > ancestor is Robert West, born about 1834 in Hanover County Virginia, > married Mary CLAYTON. Robert WEST was African-American, but we are > unsure at present whether he was born in slavery. It is likely that > his father or grandfather was a slave owner or overseer." > > If W59 is descended from an African American...why would his Haplo > group be R1b? Wouldn't it have showed that at least a part of him > came out of Africa whether his ancestor was a slave or freedman and > born in this country? Is W59 an African American? W59 is african american. We are testing the Y-chromosome, which is passed from father to son - grandson- g gson etc. unchanged. The Y-chromosome carried by W59 was most likely from a European male who fathered a male ancestor of W59. All of the other 22 chromosomes of W59 are a blend of african and european gene pools, but his y chromosome is unchanged from his direct paternal ancestor. > and ....... > > In WEST family group 1 - > > "Samples W02, W05, W15, and W57 have a very rare marker at DYS 426. > The value of 14 for DYS 426 has been found in only 5 of over 12,000 > DNA samples analyzed by FTDNA's testing lab." > > What does this "rarity" indicate? This "rare" value for DYS 426 has no special significance. The DNA genes or "markers" used for genealogy have no known effect on physical characteristics. They are sometimes called "junk" DNA, because they don't appear to do anything, or even be necessary for normal function. For this family, the extremely rare value for DYS426 is almost like having a private family marker, that no one else has. Some people have DNA matches to many people with different surnames. Any exact DNA match for family group #1 is probably going to be related. > I am a little overwhelmed that so many West lines have been identified > as separate from one another. Jeeeeeeeze! I had no idea. I tried > to go back and find the exact number of lines but my eyes are crossed > from reading so much. VBG I think it was 50+ or so. 83 male WEST's with complete DNA test results. 39 unrelated (by DNA analysis) WEST lines. That's why our genealogy is so difficult, lots of unrelated lines, all using the same given names. The DNA test helps us eliminate lines, and sorts us into family groups. DNA testing is the most powerful scientific tool we have ever had for our genealogy research. Exciting times are ahead for all of us. Dennis West, W01 WEST DNA project co-admin