This is James Carroll, Kit # 28645 (first one listed on the Carroll web
site). I joined the project early on. We have been able to go back no further
than my fourth great-grandfather, Michael Carroll, who lived in Orange County,
North Carolina, born ca. 1766 (but birthplace and state unknown). A distant
cousin hired a prominent genealogical researcher and publisher in North
Carolina about 15 years ago to do "on-ground" research in North Carolina, who
first
discovered that Michael was the father of my third great grandfather, Moses
Carroll. But he could establish no definitive blood relationship with other
Carrolls in the area with whom Michael was associated.
I came on the scene about three years ago, and discovered these other
researchers, and have now taken the lead in getting past the proverbial brick wall.
I made two trips to North Carolina, and last fall spent three days in the NC
State Archives. I found documents proving who Michael's wife was (the widow
of a Tory who was sentenced to death for treason), along with many other
documents that provided some fascinating information about his life and death,
but nothing to definitively identify his parents.
After having no matches with any Carroll DNA participants , last November I
received notice of a 12 marker match, and encouraged the family member of the
participant with whom I corresponded to expand it to at least 25. We
subsequently matched on 24 of 25. They had information going back to Texas in the
late 1800's. After further research, I was able to work back to a Hugh Carroll,
who lived in Nashville, TN, who was born in North Carolina in 1819, even
locating a great granddaughter who confirmed the information. I'm still working
to go beyond Hugh to see if I can find a link with Michael.
Then in the past couple of weeks, I was notified of a 36 of 37 match(not
posted yet).This individual is still forwarding me information, but his earliest
known ancestor is Zedekiah D. Carroll, born in York, SC, in 1802. A census
search indicates his parents were born in Virginia. I have always suspected
Michael or his ancestors migrated to NC from VA. So I am just beginning to
search for a link here.
I say all of that to say this. I believe that DNA will be the tool that will
enable me to find the ancestors of Michael Carroll, if they are to be found.
We have exhausted the traditional means. I want to encourage everyone to
recruit as many Carrolls as possible to participate in the DNA project for
everyone's benefit. I have studied what some other surname families have done
through DNA, and the results and the connections they have been able to make are
amazing. But they have numerous participants. I recently corresponded with a
Carroll that I discovered on a web site who had submitted a sample that was
lost, and upon receiving another kit, lost it during the middle of a crisis. I
encouraged them to try again, even offering to help pay for it. They have
requested another kit.
My bottom line - let's actively recruit others to participate. I've seen how
fruitful the results have been for others. We can see that too.If you're
still awake after reading my mini-novel, thanks for your time.
James