From: McChord Carrico
Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 3:25 PM
Ms. Matthiesen
I am a Carrico born in Texas and raised in
Kentucky. As a complete novice in the field
of genealogy, what are the available tests that
can be taken, their costs, and implications and
confidentiality of their results?
I know you have probably answered these questions
many times, but I would appreciate your response.
Thank you.
Hello,
I'm always happy to answer questions about DNA testing for surname
CARRICO! As you surmise, I have answered many of your questions,
before, so I have compiled answers to some of them on my web site.
For a discussion of privacy, please see this FAQ:
http://dgmweb.net/DNA/Carrico/CarricoDNA-FAQs.html#privacy
For a price list for tests relevant to joining the CARRICO project,
please see this FAQ:
http://dgmweb.net/DNA/Carrico/CarricoDNA-FAQs.html#cost
The primary test for our purposes is the Y-DNA STR (short tandem
repeat) test, which tests locations (markers) on the male Y-chromosome
where there are short pieces of repeated "junk" DNA.
I describe the reasons a Y-chromosome DNA test is the primary one used
for surname projects here:
http://dgmweb.net/DNA/General/DNA-Introduction.html
And I explain the basics of testing here:
http://dgmweb.net/DNA/Carrico/CarricoDNA.html#Basics
However, in a nutshell...
Only males have a Y-chromosome, and it is handed down from father to
son virtually unchanged (with only rare mutations) down through the
generations. Because the Y-chromosome follows the path of the
surname, it is a powerful indicator of descent on the patrilineal
line. It would not be going too far to say that STR testing of the
male Y-chromosome is revolutionizing genealogy!
The Y-DNA STR test allows you to compare results with other tested
males to find a match. You then compare paper pedigrees to see where
your patrilineal lines intersect. Even if you don't find a paper
connection, the test results can still tell you how probable it is
that you belong to the same family, usually with a great deal of
certainty.
If you are a CARRICO originally from Kentucky, it is most likely you
descend from Peter CARRICO I, the 1674 immigrant to Maryland, one or
more of whose grandsons migrated to Kentucky (another to Virginia).
Because this CARRICO family's test results are so distinctive -- like
the name! -- there is no difficulty telling whether or not someone is
a match with total confidence.
There are other DNA tests that genealogists can take, but because this
is a surname project, the most relevant test is the male Y-DNA STR
test. It is my belief that every male owes it to their name -- to
present and future researchers, as well as to themselves -- to be
Y-DNA tested, and it's best to do it while you can. I tested my
father in 2004, and he passed away in 2006. He had no sons, so I
almost lost the opportunity to test my MATTHIESEN line. If any of
your descendants take up genealogy as a hobby, they will bless you for
being tested!
Diana