Ladies and Gents,
DNA is NOT specific to any given country, or continent.
For information about what the DNA results can be used for, and what
they cannot, please see any of the various DNA testing services sites (a
Google search for "genealogy dna test" will get several results), but
these can be synopsized as follows:
A 'match' at 10-markers, 12-markers, 25-markers, or up to 37-markers
(from FamilyTreeDNA) will allow confirmation of a common genetic link to
other submitters - note that with more markers matching the common
ancestor is presumed to be closer in terms of generations removed from
the sample submitter, but the precise relationship is not determined by
the test results;
A 'mis-match' will disprove a genetic link, and may well indicate no
family relationship, but it also may indicate a non-paternity event,
rather than a completely different family (i.e., an adoption, either
formal or not), or it may indicate a different family line from a
separate progenitor [please remember that surnames themselves are a
fairly 'recent' occurrence from a long-term historical viewpoint];
Nothing may be determined about possible common genetic links to any
given line if one chooses not to participate;
And Finally,
DNA results do not and cannot take the place of careful research, but
can sometimes help confirm a "probable" link for which complete
documentation cannot be found. (In my case 25-marker matches helped us
"confirm" a probable link to a branch of my HILL family which had been
suspected based on a great deal of research over some 50 years of time,
and let us re-connect family ties long forgotten.)
So, the more individuals who submit a sample, regardless of where your
current research places your oldest know ancestor, the greater the
chance of finding one or more matches, and some results may indeed be
surprising, perhaps a link to previously unconsidered family who were
living in proximity to your ancestors, perhaps a link to a family line
in another country.
A caveat for all to keep in mind: results from one testing service may,
or may not be compatible with results from another. Check this Before
you plunk down your money!
Kimberly L. "Kim" CHAPMAN
Family Names:
CHAPMAN, EATER, LINN/LYNN, BOOTHROYD, McLAUGHLIN, CAMPBELL, DEES, LEWIS,
HUNTER, NEWMAN, MOORE, WILKINS, DOWS(E), FOSTER, HUNT, LOCKE,
JEWETT/JOWETT;
PAGE, HILL, HARMON, LANKFORD, ADDISON, CLINTON, LEWIS, DUNCAN or
BURROWS, CHRISTIAN, POLK, GRIGSBY, SMALLWOOD, MOBERLY, WILLIAMS or
WILLIAMSON, LEAKE.
P.S.: My CHAPMAN line traces here in the States back to James CHAPMAN
who immigrated to Racine Co., Wisconsin in 1851. James was enumerated
with his family in Goole, Yorkshire in the 1851 Census, and was born 14
Sep 1816 in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England, married 30 Mar 1840 in
Goole, Yorkshire, England, to Hannah BOOTHROYD, born 24 Mar 1814 in
Swinefleet, Yorkshire, England. THUS I am interested in researching the
CHAPMAN name on both sides of the "pond" not just one or the other.
Though born in the USA, I have known family ties to cousins now living
in England, France, Australia, and Brazil - some of whom I have been
lucky enough to meet.