This is for the special attention of all those who have had their DNA
analysed by Oxford Ancestors, and not by FTDNA.
As you know from my posting on 17 November, I think it would be immrensely
valuable if some of you had a duplicate test by FTDNA, covering 12 or 25
markers. At the end of this posting I repeat the reasons, and name those for
whom I think such a repeat test would be of greatest advantage.
The expense is of course daunting. So I am glad to say that I have persuaded
FTDNA to offer us a special price.
At group rates a 12-marker FTDNA test normally costs $99 and a 25-marker test
£169 (plus a dollar or two shipping cost). FTDNA have now agreed to a
special arrangement for us as follows, in the words of Bennett Greenspan,
President, Family Tree DNA: "Arthur, you cast the net and see what you get.
Give them a time frame (say 4 or 8 weeks}, so we can deal with this at one
time. If you can get a small bunch I can go at $85 and $149 for 12 and 25,
but it's really an accommodation to you, not a financially sound business
matter."
So, please will all those willing to instruct FTDNA to carry out a DNA
analysis for them at these prices let me know immediately, so that I can see
if we have a sufficient "bunch" for Bennett. Note that these prices are only
available to those of us who have already had a DNA analysis from Oxford
Ancestors.
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The advantages of 25-marker tests are twofold. First, they are able to
identify much more effectively the closeness of relationships. For instance,
at present we know that a large proportion of our participants share a common
ancestor in the middle ages in Cheshire, but we are unable to group them into
branches of the family. With 25-markers to consider it would be possible to
allocate them to a number of groups of individuals who share, or nearly
share, identical results for all 25 markers. Second, with 25 markers it is
possible to estimate the number of generations to the most recent common
ancestor considerably better. For instance it is calculated that two
individuals with identical 10-marker results have a common ancestor who lived
about 15 generations ago, plus or minus a very wide margin of error. For two
individuals with identical 25-marker results the corresponding estimate is 7
generations.
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For those not prepared to pay for a 25-marker test, it is still well worth
having a standard FTDNA 12-marker test carried out. It is possible to have
this upgraded to a 25-marker test later, as FTDNA save the samples.
A 12-marker test will give information on three more markers than those
reported by FTDNA. For those so far tested by FTDNA, there are are already
highly interesting results for one of these markers in particular. The
figure for Tom is 15, for Peter L it is 16, for Peter W it is 14, for James E
it is 15 and for Terrence it is 14. It would be fascinating to have the
figures for the rest of you, as it would show relationships not previously
revealed.
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In my posting on 17 November I appealed to the following to have a 25-marker
FTDNA test carried out. In each case an interim 12-marker test would also be
immensely valuable, for the reasons above.
1. To sort the NC and VA participants into groups, or perhaps to show they
are all
descended from one immigrant, and even to show from which UK branch the
immigrant came:
Chris or Chuck (assuming same immigrant)
Rayond Bell
Richard J
Scott
2. Ditto for other USA participants
Jerry
Leo
3, To find links between UK branches and assist the USA guys above:
One of Cecil, James, John or Michael Carding (Matlock branch)
Peter 'ON (Tipperary)
Mike or Roger (Penshurst)
Ernest (Winsford)
Tony (Bendigo)
I realise this will involve a lot of expense. I suggest that the cost is
shared where possible. For instance, Cecil, James, John and Michael Carding
(Matlock branch) might like to share the cost of having an FTDNA 25-marker
test carried out by one of them (about £33 each). - what about it, guys? I
am writing separately to various Tipperary branch members to see if they will
share the cost of a new test for Peter O'N.
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So please will each of the above respond to me immediately with a yea or nay
in principle. No need to make a firm commitment yet.
Arthur