Hi Everyone,
As part of the DNA testing efforts with the Cecil-Cissell Surname
Project (
<
https://www.familytreedna.com/public/Cecil-Cissell>https://www.familyt...
), we now have test data from a descendant of the 1st Earl of Exeter,
Thomas Cecil (1542-1623).
The testing is almost complete. The results show a very close match
between the descendant of Thomas Cecil and with two descendants of
the John Cecill (Cissell) who came to St. Mary's County Maryland
about 1658 and died there in 1698. This means that both existing
families are closely related and do have a common male ancestor.
The Exeter Cecil line includes a David Cecil who died in 1643. Since
we believe that John Cecill (Cissell) was born about 1640, his
connection with the Exeter line probably occurred prior to this David
Cecil. The current DNA results cannot tell us exactly where the
connection was, but do suggest that it was likely in the time period
covered by the known Exeter Cecil pedigree.
David Cissell