Mailing List:2006-12-04 06, Re: DNA test, by Tim Doyle
Mailing List Archives > 2006-12-04 06, Re: DNA test, by Tim Doyle
From: "Tim Doyle" <tim -at- greenscourt.com> Subject: Re: [WHITNEY] DNA test Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2006 18:07:12 -0600 In-Reply-To: <[email protected]> Gail (and others who are probably reading and have similar questions): We can't test the immigrant John Whitney's DNA. Same for Henry and Samuel and all of the other Whitneys who are no longer with us. We can only test those whose DNA we still have access to, and that pretty much limits us to living male line descendants. When we test a number of people who are known to be descended from a common ancestor, we start to see patterns. Imagine that we tested 10 people and are comparing their results. Now if all ten people have the same results at a given marker, we can pretty clearly state that it probably hasn't changed since ol John Whitney passed on his DNA, and that he too probably had the same number of repeats at that location. If 8 or 9 people out of the 10 have the same number, we can make the same conclusion and that those 1 or 2 people who have differences probably had a random mutation somewhere along the 12 or so generations between them and John. As we continue to do this, we end up with what we believe John Whtiney's DNA test WOULD HAVE LOOKED LIKE, based upon the common results of his descendants. That is what we call the "Signature" or "Standard" profile for that branch. By doing this analysis for those who have taken the DNA test, we have developed "Signature" DNA profiles for both the immigrants John Whitney of Watertown and Henry Whitney of Long Island. John's signature is out to 67 markers, but Henry's is currently only out to 25 markers. We have just one descendant of Samuel Whitney (the "Southern Whitney Branch"), so we don't have enough to compare to find a "signature" for Samuel yet. For each person who took the test (and who I added to that chart - it doesn't include everyone yet), I have the words "STANDARD" out to the right, or I have a list of the markers that they differ from their immigrant's "Signature". As more people take the test, we may be able to more closely determine just where these differences happened. This is a good thing, because it'll allow others who have the same differences to be able to narrow in on where they connect. I hope this explanation helped! Tim -----Original Message----- From: whitney-bounces+tim=greenscourt.com -at- rootsweb.com -at- rootsweb.com On Behalf Of Gail Anderson Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 5:54 PM To: whitney -at- rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [WHITNEY] DNA test Tim: Sorry to be dense Tim but I want to make sure I understand, do you mean by "signature profile", one that is known to be John Whitney's? The orange boxes indicate differences from what, from John's profile? Do I understand correctly the "His Signature" is the same as "Standard" indicated at the far right of the pedigree page? This is probably all obvious but I don't want to assume anything. Thanks for all you do for the Group. I Can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I just got a 3 inch pile of research on my family line dating back to the 1930's collected from various professional researchers who were hired to sort out this problem. They were unable to succeed. The DNA is our only stone left unturned. Thanks again, Gail -----Original Message----- From: whitney-bounces+joelandgail=msn.com -at- rootsweb.com -at- rootsweb.com On Behalf Of Tim Doyle Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 4:10 PM To: whitney -at- rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [WHITNEY] DNA test Gail: The chart you are referring to was my first attempt at putting something online which showed the descents of the various individuals who had been tested without giving away too much personal information. This chart can be found on the WRG website at htttp://wiki.whitneygen.org/ and then selecting "Whitney Family DNA Project" from the Miscellaneous section near the bottom of that page. This chart shows descents from John and Henry Whitney, but only includes names down to a certain point. Individuals tested have been given a number (made up by me) so I can tell them where they fit if they ask. The DNA differences from the signatures of John or Henry are listed to the far right. Green colored boxes indicate that the person may have had the signature DNA profile, while orange boxes are those people we know to have had the indicated differences. As others get their DNA tested, we may be able to determine just how far back the differences were introduced, so those other generations would then be colored orange as well. Hopefully Whitney Keen will be able to say more about the testing delays - I haven't had much experience with that as I have been focused on the data analysis aspect of the project. Thanks! Tim -----Original Message----- From: whitney-bounces+tim=greenscourt.com -at- rootsweb.com -at- rootsweb.com On Behalf Of Gail Anderson Sent: Monday, December 04, 2006 4:50 PM To: whitney -at- rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [WHITNEY] DNA test Hi Tim, I just looked at the DNA project again and see a pedigree chart at the end highlighted in green with numbers at the end some highlighted in green and some highlighted in pink. I see no explanation for these numbers or there difference in highlight colors. Did I miss it? My line is through Thomas, Thomas, Benjamin, David, Silas, Silas, Silas, with a green highlighted W91 what does this mean? Also is anyone else having trouble getting there results on the DNA test, they are three week over their predicted date. I have called but the story is that they have to re-do it. That was the same story on every test they have done for me. Is this typical? Thanks Gail ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WHITNEY-request -at- rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WHITNEY-request -at- rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to WHITNEY-request -at- rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message
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