David, I have many different lines of MacLarens, Lawsons, Pat(t)ersons, Low(e), :Laws, Lowerys, Lawrences, MacRauris, and other surnames of Clan MacLaren (and of many variant spellings). A few have DNA results not matching their paper genealogy (a NPE). In a few cases, we know where the NPE occured, in others we do not. However, being from a different line, whether due to a NPE or having apopted the surname at an earlier time (including changing the surname when one joined the Clan), does not mean you are rejected from the project. We welcome all the surnames of the Clan and will help all with their genealogy. Our Chief states that one is a member of Clan MacLaren by birth, marriage, or adoption. I often have people ask me if they have the "MacLaren gene" or if their DNA results show them to be in Clan MacLaren. I do point out that there is no such thing as a MacLaren gene (explaining what is being tested). As for whether their DNA results show them to be in the Clan, I tell them I cannot determine that. I can determine who they are related to, and that is all. Yours aye, Bob McLaren Chairman, Genealogy Committee, Clan MacLaren Society of North America Genealogist, Clan MacLaren Society (based in Scotland) Administrator, Clan MacLaren Surname DNA Project Member, Association of Professional Genealogists > [Original Message] > From: David Weston <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Date: 7/23/2008 9:08:53 PM > Subject: [Y-DNA-projects] out of wedlock births, adoptions, etc. > > Hello, > > I am very interested to hear how various surname project admins handle known non-paternal events > (NPE) (or what ever your prefer to call them) in their projects, i.e. out of wedlock births, > adoptions, etc.. > > Do you include people in your projects who descended from a known NPE? For example, my wife's > paternal line (THURLOW) descends from a well documented out-of-wedlock birth in 1825. Would you > have some one like this in your project? It helps in this case that I run the THURLOW DNA Project > so I had no choice really but to include my wife's line :-) I did have another THURLOW in the same > situation decide against testing because of the NPE. He figure there was no point since finding the > documentation to establish any paternal bloodline connection was unlikely even with a YDNA match. > > With my WESTON project I have previously been approached by an adoptee whose birth father was a > WESTON. The fellow had taken a YDNA test in hopes of tracking him. I had actually had a found a > likely related match for him through SMGF. The match happened to by with a long-time correspondent > of mine. Unfortunately, the MRCA was likely back in the 1700s so no use to this fellows search for > his father. I didn't violate any ones privacy and didn't pass on any info that wasn't already > public or that I didn't have permission to relay. Still it felt a little awkward. > > Thank you in advance for sharing your experience in this regard. > > Cheers, Davi