About Surname DNA ProjectsSome frequently asked questions: I'm new to 'genetic genealogy' - where can I read more? If you are familiar with the ideas of genetic genealogy and surname projects, you may want to skip this answer and go straight to the next question, which is specifically about our project. But if this concept is new to you, one of the easiest places to start is with the organizations offering the type of testing used in genetic genealogy projects such as surname projects. Here are some sites offering genealogy-related DNA testing, along with examples and tutorials. This is a selection of companies only, these sites are mentioned because of their comprehensive and educational tutorials. The sites are listed in alphabetical order. DNA Heritage have a getting-started tutorial, a more advanced master class, a helpful glossary, and a comprehensive FAQ. DNA Heritage maintains the free public access Ybase database at ybase.org Family Tree DNA publish a monthly email newsletter, have a comprehensive FAQ and an online library of useful scientific publications. Family Tree DNA operate the free Ysearch public access database at ysearch.org Relative Genetics offer family group indepth analysis and reconstruction services as well as individual and surname testing. There are numerous other sites for further reading and the sites above have many links to explore. There is a Genealogy-DNA Rootsweb mailing list - volume is fairly high, this is a tremendous resource where topics and the level of discussion range from basic to advanced. To subscribe or view the list archives, go to:http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/DNA/GENEALOGY-DNA.html. Other DNA-related Rootsweb lists are here: http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/DNA/ This page has a selection of URLs and Links extracted from the Genealogy-DNA-L mailing list. Genealogy.com has a DNA Forum. Who can participate? Last names are passed down through the male lines in the cultures and timeframes we are working with. The Y-chomosome also exists only in males. So test-takers must be males named Baucom, Baucum,.. or similar last name. Females with the Baucom et al last names can find participants, drum up enthusiasm and be fully involved and engaged in discussing and analyzing results. But they do not have Y-chromosomes and so cannot take the test. DNA?? But doesn't that mean that they will have my DNA? Will the results tell me if I have a disease?The DNA tests used for genealogy purposes are not the same as paternity tests, identification of crime scene samples, health screening, or other forensic or diagnostic tests. These genealogy tests look at sections of the Y-chromosome which are called "non-coding" or "junk DNA" - these regions have no use for forensic identification of individuals, are not used by or useful to any forensic databases, and are not known to contain health information. As for them (choose menacing organization to suit), if they want your DNA they probably already have it - if you have ever had surgery, donated blood, had tissue sampled, left a cup or plate at the local burger bar or restaurant, then anyone who wanted it could already have a sample. Additionally, the companies performing the tests all have privacy and confidentality policies, which you may and should review before joining any surname project or buying your own test (see below for some links). Real names or names of living individuals will not be posted here unless you want them to be posted. The minimum that will be posted on our surname results page is a sample number (which is just your number within the project), a set of results, and your earliest known male ancestor. Look at the current results page, for example - there is no personally identifiable information given there. All participants are encouraged to provide their genealogy in a form which can be published, with as much information as you want to provide, but its not compulsory. You may find value in exchange of information with other participants or researchers - but how you do it will be up to you. Participant email addresses will not be posted unless you want to. Does ethnic background or geographical location matter? No. Does it hurt? No. The test requires you to rub the inside of your cheek with one or more swabs, it is easily and painlessly done at home and the sample can be sent by mail with no difficulty. Does it cost money? Yes there is a cost associated with getting these tests done. It can cost from as little as US$99 to something over $200, depending on the resolution of the test chosen. The project may be able to assist with funding in some instances. We accept donations (see the Join the Project page). Lower resolution tests are ideal for disproving connections between lines and some participants may want to start with a low resolution test and upgrade later, that is a valid choice. You might want to consider the cost of a test versus (for example), trips to courthouses, libraries, purchasing genealogy books, cds, subscription services etc. A person's DNA doesn't change over time (with very rare exceptions), so participating in the project may turn out to involve only a one-time outlay and may gain you knowledge that you perhaps could not obtain any other way and which will not change over time. This could be a great legacy for future researchers as well as a benefit to you in your genealogical endeavours. How long does it take to get the results? This time will vary according to lab workload and so on. In the case of participant number 1, we were told to expect results in 5 weeks or less, but the results arrived by email 23 days after the company received the sample. For testee #2, results arrived 12 days from when the sample reached the lab. What will the string of numbers tell me? Who will help interpret the results? The genealogical value of the results comes in comparing them with those of other participants. That is the first exciting thing to do - check other participants results and if there are exact matches, well yippee - there will be some probability of a common ancestor. The probability that this is in a meaningful genealogical timeframe will depend on the number of markers tested. If there are no matches at all in the numbers, then perhaps you have a previously untested line. If you have some numbers matching and some numbers different - then how many differences and what they are will help decide what the results mean. The project administratot will be available to help with the interpretation and implications. Will you post my results on this web site? That is the intent, with your permission. After all the idea is to make connections betweens lines and to trace origins and development of lines, so keeping them secret wouldn't advance that cause. But your results can be removed at any time. They belong to you, the participant. I looked at the Results page and read around a bit but am still confused. What are all those "DYS" numbers in columns? You can think of them as values assigned to a particular genetic marker. So, for participant 1 the value of a genetic marker called DYS385a is 11. That is all you need to know. But if you want to know more then the web sites previously listed can be places to read more. The set of markers results taken together is called your 'haplotype'. Two participants of the same or very similar surname with matching haplotypes may share a common ancestor at some point in time (when will depend on number of markers tested and frequency of the haplotypes)
Who runs this project? Sue Baucum, related to the descendants of the George W. Baucum whose story is featured on this site. I live in Texas, USA. I've been researching our Baucum and related lines since 2001. |