Carpenter & Zimmerman Researchers How often have you seen the words, "Not proven as a son", or the "Only proven son", or "Oral tradition says". We now have a genealogical tool that can HELP in determining if we are related or not. This tool is Y-Chromosome DNA testing. I would recommend FTDNA at www.familytreedna.com . In addition, if you are a Carpenter or Zimmerman descendant, you can go to www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=S82066 and receive a discount over the regular price. Here is an extraction from the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project, administered by John R. Carpenter, "DNA in the cell nucleus is organized into objects called chromosomes. Humans have 46, including two that determine easch person's sex: if these are X and X, the person is female; if X and Y, male. The Y chromosome is passed virtually unchanged from father to son through the generations and forms the basis for this test." "Since the Y chromosome is inherited virtually unchanged, why are there any differences at all? The answer is mutation. The current understanding is that each locus can be expected to mutate about once in 500 generations on average. I had my DNA tests completed in November 2002. My paper trail said that I was descended from Christian "CZ" Zimmerman/Carpenter. In November of 2003 a gentleman from North Carolina who is descended from Peter Zimmerman also had his DNA tests conducted. Then on 18 December 2003, I received an e-mail from the FTDNA organization that said, "YOU HAVE A MATCH!". I still haven't touched the ground yet! The results of this DNA testing proved that Christian "CZ" Zimmerman/Carpenter and Peter Zimmerman/Carpenter were brothers or at least first cousins. And, also that they are descended from Hans Zimmerman or from Hans' father. In all probability Christian and Peter were brothers. Now what does all this prove? 1) It proves that my Grandfather John T. Carpenter was the son of Joseph Carpenter, whose father was Frederick Carpenter, and he was a son of Christian "CZ" Carpenter. 2) The other person who took the DNA test was a descendant of Peter Zimmerman, and his matched mine almost exactly. There was a slight number change (mutation) for the DYS 439 value, which for me, it was 11 and this other person it was 12. Now if we had a descendant of the Jacob Zimmerman (Jacob Carpenter) and Johannes Zimmerman (John Carpenter) who are thought to be also descendants of Hans Zimmerman, b-1702, to also take the DNA test we could probably prove whether or not they are brothers and also if they are sons of this Hans Zimmerman. Since the Y-DNA is passed from father to son it would not tell us if they are half brothers or not, just that they had the same father. Without stating names, I was born in 1938, the other gentleman was born in 1951. With our DNA matches alone, (6th Cousins) we have a 99.9 percent chance of having a common ancestor. This is probably better that most vital records that are found via normal genealogical research today. Just looking at the dates we go from 1938 and 1951 back to 1720, 1736 and most likely to even 1702. If you have questions in regards to DNA testing, you can contact FTDNA at the above Internet address or feel free to contact John R. Carpenter, administrator and coordinator of the Carpenters Cousins Y-DNA Project at jrcrin001@cox.net , or Terry L. Carpenter at diluvius@yahoo.com , or myself Bobby L. Carpenter at bclompoc@attglobal.net if you are interested in my 25-Marker Y-DNA test results. My only interest is to further this form of Genealogical testing and also to see if Christian, Peter, Jacob, and Johannes were all brothers descended from Hans or where their common ancestor came into the picture. Thanks Bob Carpenter