Dear Carlton Researchers,
Please forgive the lapse in my responses to some of your questions (
privately). But some interesting research has developed and I wanted to be
sure of some items, before I sent an Email to all of you.
As many of you know, I have been researching my Carlton line (Father's side)
for about 24 years and of course, the allied families of the Carlton name in
Virginia, which we must talk about at a later date.
I started a Carlton DNA project (FamilyTree DNA) but quite frankly, I have
not had the time to be persistent with the "getting out the word";
organizing, etc. I will talk more about this research shortly. BUT finally,
I put some money into the project to honor my father.
My Line is from a Carlton Family located in Wilkes County, NC. There were
however four brothers and I am trying to identify which brother my father is
descended from. I do feel the Carlton families in Wilkes County, NC are
from a Carlton line first established in King & Queen Co., VA and that is
why I created the Carlton DNA Project. Within the next two months, I will
be establishing a Carlton web site to further this Carlton DNA Study. Of
course, all of you realize this DNA is a most private study and no names are
exchanged.
The four brothers are Thomas, Lewis, Ambrose, and an elusive John Carlton.
These four brothers left Albemarle County, VA shortly before Wilkes County
was formed about 1773-75. It was thought the brothers originated from King
& Queen County Virginia. Some family traditions state my line is thru Lewis
Carlton who married Elizabeth Eve and other researchers state my line is
from Thomas Carlton who married (1)Mary Land. I have never seen any
definitive proof of ancestor for either Thomas or Lewis. My dad's second
great grandfather was Lewis Carlton of Wilkes Co. NC, who married Polly
Allison - that is proven without doubt by bible, marriage records and Newton
County, Arkansas court records and tombstone inscriptions of numerous visits
by this author. But the question is... who was Lewis Carlton's (2) father.
I took a sample of my father's DNA shortly before he died in 2005. I held
back not doing anything about the DNA project for many months. My dear
cousin who published a definitive book on MY Carlton research agreed (who
is descended from Thomas Carlton (proven))) to submit his DNA. In the 37
marker test, the two males were 1 marker off. They have a Most Recent
Common Ancestor (MCRA), but which one?
Another submitter of his DNA, was off one marker in the 37 marker test and
I call him Carlton Three.
Now, I have Carlton One - my father,
Carlton Two - descended from Thomas Carlton -
one marker difference
Carlton Three - one marker difference - but at
a marker at different number
I was then was contacted by a possible descendant of Lewis Carlton- Wilkes
Co., NC and his DNA (37 marker) was just completed. He is also 1 marker off
from my father, but not at the same marker from the other first two males,
but matches Carlton Male Three perfectly. I call him Carlton Four.
Carlton Four
Prior to all of these submitters:
I had a submitter with the surname "Calton" and this male had only completed
the 12 marker test & he did not match my father. He matches Carlton Male 3
and 4 at the 12 marker. I will request and hope that he will submit to
further tests of his DNA. (Expense is always a challenge for "us
researchers"). I am contacting the Calton family to learn more about their
Virginia ties as King & Queen County, VA was mentioned in the Emails
exchanged. I shall call him Calton One.
"Calton One"
Male Carlton Three has genealogy ties to Halifax County, VA and possibly
Halifax County, NC. (Note: PROOFS ARE BEING RESEARCHED, as when my time
permits. I will be attending the NGS Genealogy Conference in Raleigh, NC
this May. Let me know if I can research any Carlton related material you
would like to have researched, while I am there. I will be staying at least
one week)
Now, since Carlton Four matches Carlton Three, he is descended from a
different Carlton than was surmised. And then we throw "Calton" "bread
upon
the waters" , which is positively eye-popping. I definitely want this male
to have his test graduated to the 37 marker.
FYI on me.
I am a total novice with the DNA concept, but I am learning, as my time
permits. In the last two years, I have taken four courses from different
competent researchers to include Megan Smolenayak Smolenayak. That's not a
typo! You know her maiden name was Smolenyak and she married a Smolenyak.
She came to Texas and we had a one-on-one visit. She has a great story of
research and NO, she didn't marry a cousin. Also, I have a very wonderful
friend who is a cousin of Bryan Sykes (England) and they are advising me of
steps which I should take. What I am saying
This is who I am and where I am going..
I am the following:
Serious Researcher, will travel,
Proofs Required.
I am hoping with this information I have given you;
YOU will share what you know ABOUT any Carlton Ancestors you feel you have a
connection to the King & Queen County, Virginia area and any surrounding
Virginia counties. SOME OF YOU ALREADY HAVE!!
Ann Carlton Oppenheimer
P. S. Type of project may be something to write home about.
Many thanks,
Ann Carlton Oppenheimer