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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2001-06 > 0993489647


From: Ron Lindsay <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] How to start a DNA surname study?
Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 10:20:47 -0700
In-Reply-To: <Pine.SO4.4.05.10106250857081.26537-100000@linknet.kitsap.lib.wa.us>


Greetings Karen,

There are as many approachs to the Surname Projects as there are people who
start them. I spent eight months studying the subject so that I could be
relatively sure I knew what I was doing and a simultaneous three months
building a web site to promote it and the work has only begun.

The basic ingredients are (1) knowing what you are trying to accomplish
(2) establishing how to get the word of the project to those of the surname
(3) how to manage the project.

(1) It is very important that you understand what you are trying to
accomplish for your family surname. Knowing several established lineages
for your surname and getting participants from these groups for your
project is essential in determining a surname haplotype. You will be asked
many questions by those who wish to participate. You will need to have the
answers. If your surname members are like everyone else, you will find a
relunctance to participate in a DNA project. You might get one out of
every hundred to participate. Education is the key to acceptance.

(2) Many have used family mailing lists, family organizations and web sites
to promote their surname projects. Some have used all three. The web site
is probably the best method to get the word out to a broader aduience but
does require a bit of effort to setup and maintain. There is free web site
hosting for these kind of things and also you can get your own URL and pay
for web hosting if you want to avoid the advertising that goes with the
freebies. Your web site will save you much time in managing the process if
you put the right content there to answer most of the questions.

(3) Managing the project is not something to take lightly. Organizing and
keeping participants informed is a key ingredient. Finding a laboratory
for the testing will be easy. You will likely use Family Tree DNA in
Houston, TX or Genetree Inc in San Jose, Ca. BYU and Oxford Ancestors are
other choices but not easy to get into. The cost per Y-Chromosome test is
approximately $200 USD but will be discounted if you get a larger group to
participate at one time.

Take a look at my recently launched website for the Lindsay surname at
http://www.clanlindsay.com and see how I did it. There are links to other
Surname Project pages (there are approximately 20 surname projects
currrently with website presences) if you care to take a look at them also.
Maybe Doug Mumma, Kevin Duerinck and Richard Steadham will also respond to
your note. The have "been there and done that" already with results.

I will be happy to answer any specific questions that you may have in
setting up your project. Best of luck.

Ron Lindsay
San Jose, CA

=========================================================================
At 08:58 AM 6/25/01 -0700, you wrote:
>
>Hi. I am new to this list and was just wondering what is required for
>someone to start a particular surname DNA study? Money? Skills, etc.
>
>Thanks
>
>Karen
>
>
>==============================
>Visit Ancestry's Library - The best collection of family history
>learning and how-to articles on the Internet.
>http://www.ancestry.com/learn/library
>
>

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