The DNA lab was closed for a couple of weeks due to the holidays. But we expect two more
test results this month. Since there's nothing to report on the result front, I'm
posting portions of my email to a private inquiry about the project.
____________________
[Context, I've answered several questions in earlier emails. At this point he writes
his only concern now is the cost. Says he will be attending a family reunion and hopes
others there will test.]
Yes, I agree. After one educates oneself on the matter, the only reason NOT to test is the
cost. In my case, I have been at an 1820 brick wall on my line and may never learn more
(for various reasons). I've spend a lot of money on other lines but no amount of money
can help me with my brick wall. So - I invested $171 on my father's test and many,
many hours on the project. But even if I never make a connection (DNA or otherwise) I feel
good knowing the DNA database is a contribution to the surname research.
[About the reunion] If you personally test before the reunion you will have some
experience and some results. [I tell him I could arrange for some test kits to be sent to
the reunion.] However, I would only send you kits if you have tested first. I'm not
trying to "push" you into testing. But the best way to interest others is to
have done it yourself, and in the process of doing that, you have experience, and get even
more interested, and then learn more. As you can see from the emails between us, it takes
a lot of time and patience to answer people's questions to help them make a decision.
Here are the hurdles:
1) Afraid of DNA - think the Feds or the Ins. companies are going to get their DNA and
something terrible will happen to them. [See Privacy section in my DNA PROJECT NOTES).
2) Don't see any benefit. If the benefit may not be immediate, the idea of
contributing to the database and being a pioneer often appeals to people. Also - if they
are the last male of their particular family - they ought to test, because there will
never be another chance for that person's particular family once the last male is
gone.
3) Think it is a crazy internet (or whatever) scam. The Pres. of FTDNA says he often gets
weary explaining to people that he is not a crook.
4) Too expensive.
The large surname projects with family associations get donations from other members to
test lines of interest if a qualified candidate can not afford it. For example, a female
researcher with no close KINNEY male cousins/siblings/ etc. may pay for someone. However,
again, you can't ask for donations if people don't know who you are - because they
think it is a scam again. When our project gets to that point, I'll have them make out
the check (or whatever) to FTDNA - at least they will know I can't cash it.
This has the most appeal to educated researchers who have been following DNA for a while
(e.g., are scientists, know of other surname projects, and/or have watched NOVA on PBS
over the years). And, of course, who can afford to spend $100 plus on a
"gamble" that they'll get a connection. It also appeals to those who like
the idea of being a pioneer on the cutting edge of a whole new field of genealogy.
Hence, that is why I say, you can't easily convince others to test if you have not
done it yourself.
Georgia Kinney Bopp
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~gkbopp/KINNEY/