Carpenter & Zimmerman Researchers
How often have you seen the words, "Not proven as a son", or the "Only
proven son", or "Oral tradition says". We now have a genealogical tool
that
can HELP in determining if we are related or not. This tool is Y-Chromosome
DNA testing. I would recommend FTDNA at
www.familytreedna.com .
In addition, if you are a Carpenter or Zimmerman descendant, you can go to
www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=S82066 and receive a discount
over the regular price.
Here is an extraction from the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project, administered
by John R. Carpenter, "DNA in the cell nucleus is organized into objects
called chromosomes. Humans have 46, including two that determine easch
person's sex: if these are X and X, the person is female; if X and Y, male.
The Y chromosome is passed virtually unchanged from father to son through
the generations and forms the basis for this test."
"Since the Y chromosome is inherited virtually unchanged, why are there any
differences at all? The answer is mutation. The current understanding is
that each locus can be expected to mutate about once in 500 generations on
average.
I had my DNA tests completed in November 2002. My paper trail said that I
was descended from Christian "CZ" Zimmerman/Carpenter. In November of 2003
a gentleman from North Carolina who is descended from Peter Zimmerman also
had his DNA tests conducted. Then on 18 December 2003, I received an e-mail
from the FTDNA organization that said, "YOU HAVE A MATCH!". I still
haven't
touched the ground yet! The results of this DNA testing proved that
Christian "CZ" Zimmerman/Carpenter and Peter Zimmerman/Carpenter were
brothers or at least first cousins. And, also that they are descended from
Hans Zimmerman or from Hans' father. In all probability Christian and Peter
were brothers.
Now what does all this prove? 1) It proves that my Grandfather John T.
Carpenter was the son of Joseph Carpenter, whose father was Frederick
Carpenter, and he was a son of Christian "CZ" Carpenter. 2) The other
person who took the DNA test was a descendant of Peter Zimmerman, and his
matched mine almost exactly. There was a slight number change (mutation) for
the DYS 439 value, which for me, it was 11 and this other person it was 12.
Now if we had a descendant of the Jacob Zimmerman (Jacob Carpenter) and
Johannes Zimmerman (John Carpenter) who are thought to be also descendants
of Hans Zimmerman, b-1702, to also take the DNA test we could probably
prove whether or not they are brothers and also if they are sons of this
Hans Zimmerman. Since the Y-DNA is passed from father to son it would not
tell us if they are half brothers or not, just that they had the same
father.
Without stating names, I was born in 1938, the other gentleman was born in
1951. With our DNA matches alone, (6th Cousins) we have a 99.9 percent
chance of having a common ancestor. This is probably better that most vital
records that are found via normal genealogical research today. Just looking
at the dates we go from 1938 and 1951 back to 1720, 1736 and most likely to
even 1702.
If you have questions in regards to DNA testing, you can contact FTDNA at
the above Internet address or feel free to contact John R. Carpenter,
administrator and coordinator of the Carpenters Cousins Y-DNA Project at
jrcrin001(a)cox.net , or Terry L. Carpenter at diluvius(a)yahoo.com , or myself
Bobby L. Carpenter at bclompoc(a)attglobal.net if you are interested in my
25-Marker Y-DNA test results.
My only interest is to further this form of Genealogical testing and also to
see if Christian, Peter, Jacob, and Johannes were all brothers descended
from Hans or where their common ancestor came into the picture.
Thanks Bob Carpenter