Gene,
"Closely related" in the DNA sense. The odds of the two Williams being
first cousins are very very low and improve a bit with each generation. It
is not until about 450 years that the odds go up into the 90% range. Compare
that over tens of thousands of years, and that is closely related.
John R. Carpenter
La Mesa, CA
----- Original Message -----
From: <GeneZub(a)aol.com>
To: <CARPENTER-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 1:48 PM
Subject: Re: Y-DNA Testing for Christmas or Thanksgiving or ...
<< Our Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project has proven that the two William
Carpenters that came to America in 1635 and 1638 were closely related.
It
is not known if they were first cousins, second cousins or what. Their
descedant Y-DNA markers match 24/25. >>
Given the relative proximity in Wiltshire of Amesbury and Shalbourne, the
respective homes of William of Providence (he did NOT come with the
Arnolds in
1635) and William of Rehoboth, it's not surprising that they are related.
But to say that the DNA project has proven them to be "closely" related
is an
overstatement. The limitations of the DNA test are such that only a
broad
inference can be made as to the interval--perhaps several hundred
years--between
the immigrant Williams and their nearest, common Carpenter ancestor.
Gene Z.
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