From the responses written I conclude that there are some six Cat(t)ley outposts
including mine, who agree in principle to the general idea of DNA testing if the cost was
not outrageous.
I note that the Oxford test (see the
genetealogy.com web site I gave in my last contact)
charges some £180 Stirling for this service and will not only report upon common Y
chromosome links between individuals but can also place said individuals into one of the
various 16 "clans" within the UK which have been found to exist so far.
In my opinion, just six individual separate Trees are not a sufficient number to make the
idea work and we should think about recruiting more people to come in with us?
I fully accept Mick Catleys points regarding the maternal link break and note that in the
Normanton Parish records circa late 1500's where my own family were based at the time,
there are numerous entries of illegitimate births which could very well disrupt a male
line continuity test.
Is the distinct possibility of illegitimacy somewhere along everybody's male line
sufficient reason to veto the idea of undertaking a DNA test?
Comparison tests that come back negative, would not be proof positive that NO connection
exists.
Suppose it depends if one thinks positive or negative on the subject!
It goes without question that any DNA tests should not replace basic research Mick, it was
never my intention to suggest this but I still think that many people could be curiously
interested to see if any DNA trace "commonality" might exist which would
"fix" various Catley houses together and enthuse further research to attempt to
prove this? This is positive thought process I hope?
Can only throw the subject open to all the Listers on this Net and see what the majority
consensus turns out to be?
If sufficient (what number is that?) agree, then maybe we can formulate something?
Regards TimC