The two necessary requirements for a participant are (1) that he be a male (because it is the Y-chromosome, which only males have, which is analyzed). (2) that his surname be Wilson. The theory behind this (or any) surname project is that the Y-chromosome is passed unchanged from father to son down through the generations. Thus the Y-chromosome follows the surname, which comes through one's all male lineage: father, paternal grandfather, father of the paternal grandfather, etc. After so many generations there may be a mutation at a marker on the Y-chromosome, so that a son's Y-chromosome becomes be slightly different from his father's. In that situation a son and father would match at only 24 out of the 25 markers which are analyzed. All of the son's descendants carry this new mutation. The more generations which have passed, the greater the chance for more mutations. Eventually, say after a millennium or two, the Y-chromosome could become sufficiently different from his ancient ancestor's that we can no longer recognize a connection. In your case, Geri, your uncles wouldn't do as Wilson DNA participants because they no longer have the Wilson surname and consequently do not carry the Wilson Y-chromosome. You would need to find a living male Wilson who descends from Amanda's brothers or paternal uncles. Steve Z. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Geri" <geri@beecreek.net> To: <WILSON-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 12:36 PM Subject: Re: [WILSON-L] DNA Project > Another question. My dad is gone but his brother is still alive. Their > grandmother was Amanda Jane Wilson daughter of John/Jonathan Wilson. Would > my uncles DNA help at all. My Wilson's are from Edwards, Wayne and White > Co. Il. > > My dad always said we we Scot-irish. > > Geri Cullison Lilley > geri@beecreek.net >