Hi everyone,
I ran across an interesting idea in Genealogy research, DNA testing.
I'm no expert on this and probably cannot do it justice by trying to
explain it. So, I'll say a little bit and provide a few links to obtain
additional information.
The use of DNA for genealogy relies on the fact that the portion called
the Y-chromosome is passed unaltered from father to son over very many
generations, except for the rare occurrence of a mutation affecting one
element (called a marker).
There are two basic DNA tests being offered to family historians: the
Y-chromosome test and the mitochondrial test.
The Y-chromosome in the nuclear DNA of every living man resembles that
of his father and his paternal grandfather, and is carried by male
cousins of any degree that share the same male ancestor. Tests of tiny
chemical markers in one part of the Y-chromosome that does not change
much over time will reveal the testee's haplogroup, one of 28 shared by
all humans on the planet. Tests of other markers in another part of the
Y-chromosome that changes more rapidly reveal the testee's haplotype,
the numeric pattern of their individual DNA. Combined together the two
tests distinguish one male-to-male lineage from another and reveal a
'DNA signature' for each individual man.
The mitochondrial test looks at the mitochondria, a special part of
nearly all human cells, which is passed on female-to-child and is
inherited down the female line. It is generally used to study long-term
population developments such as migrations and has no real use for
family historians.
The Y-chromosome test can only be taken by men while the mitochondrial
test can be taken by both men and women.
For additional explanations, see the following:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~allpoms/genetics.html
http://www.familytreedna.com/facts_genes.asp
Please see the following URL for information what another surname has
been doing:
http://www.tcarden.com/tree/ensor/00CardenDNAproject1.html
The following URL can provide information on the testing and costs.
http://www.familytreedna.com/facts_genes.asp
I understand that there are discounts when a group of 6 or more go in.
What do I think can come of this?
1) There are several splinter groups of Carmack's. We could look into
the Alabama Carmacks, the Pennsylvania Carmacks, etc and use the DNA
testing results to possibly link these groups with the "Cornelius"
Carmacks.
2) We can create a database and compare future Carmack DNA.
3) Hopefully we can get some Carmack's from outside the US interested
and possibly prove DNA linkages leading to ancestors beyond Cornelius
Carmack of Frederick Maryland.
4) Publish this data as done on the Carden site
http://www.tcarden.com/tree/ensor/00CardenDNAproject1.html
Let me know what anyone thinks about this.
Happy Holidays
dale