----- Original Message -----
From: Tim Cattley
To: CatleyL(a)ROOTSWEB.com
Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 11:06 PM
Subject: DNA testing
Hello all,
The subject of Cat*ley DNA testing has been raised before but rather fell by the wayside.
Some listers were in favour but from what I recall, the response was minimal which
presumably shows the feeling of the majority?
I raise the issue once again out of curiosity and for two reasons.
1) We know that there are centres of Catley history which in broad terms can be shown in
the 1600's as being Lincolnshire... Yorkshire. .. Essex/Cambs/Herts + London. There
are interesting snippets from before then in such counties as Suffolk and Notts but
nothing left by way of records to show that families were resident there.
It has been suggested that all Catleys come from a single source family living in
Lincolnshire which may have taken their name from association with the Gilbertine monastic
settlement of Catley which was founded in the 1140's and that they proliferated and
moved both South down to Cambs/Herts/Essex and also North and West thus into Yorkshire. A
DNA test would hopefully confirm or deny this theory?
2) In many cases there are a number of families all with their roots in a particular
geographical area where despite a lot of research there is seemingly not enough recorded
information to tie them in together although logic says they should all fit, given the
rareness of the Surname.
I offer my own tree as an example of this in the Yorkshire area, it is "intact"
back to 1600 but there are a number of records indicating other trees in the same area for
the 1800's which neither fit with each other, nor with mine. All most frustrating.
DNA test comparisons between members of defined Catley trees could be most interesting,
not simply to show where a "common link" exists locally but maybe regionally or
even Nationally as well?
I looked at various web sites advertising DNA genealogical testing and retreated as
totally confused by the complexity of it all.
Is there anyone out there who feels adept enough to be able to both organise, control,
monitor and interpret the results?
Can I throw the debate open to you all and ask for input?
Regards TimCatt