Whitney Family DNA Project
Welcome to the Whitney Family DNA project. As you know, there are at least 4 known lines of Whitneys - descendants of John1 and Elinor, descendants of Henry1, descendants of Samuel1 and the Whitneys of Whitney-on-Wye in England. There are also a number of "unconnected" Whitneys, that is people descended from ancestors with the Whitney surname who cannot link to one of the known family lines.
The DNA project will try to establish benchmark Y-DNA profiles of each of the four lines. If the lines are related, we will find that the Y-DNA is the same for all of the related lines. If the Y-DNA is off by one marker, there may well have been a mutation back in the past, which may enable us to differentiate the different lines, even if they are related. If the Y-DNA is different by more than 2 markers, the lines are not related (or at least not closely enough to matter).
We have selected FamilyTreeDNA to act as our lab for the testing. They offer both 12-marker and 25-marker DNA testing. The cost for the 12-marker test is $99, a group rate available to projects like this one. Since they retain your DNA samples at their lab, it is possible to test for the additional 13 markers if the samples all match on the 12 markers. We will be starting with the 12-marker test first in the interest of economy and because it will show if there is the likelihood of a common ancestor. If you participate, you will be able to sign up directly for the project and pay for the testing kit by credit card (even if you live outside the US).
To do the testing, first we will need contributions of DNA from males who are in direct line back as far as we have good records. I would like at least 3 from each line, as distant from each other as possible but within the line. Once we have established a benchmark Y-DNA profile for the line, it will be possible for any male, connected or not, who thinks he is in the direct line from any Whitney ancestor, to determine if he is, and if the lines are not all related, to which line. If all of the lines are related to each other, however, the best this test will do is to indicate that he is a part of the family. It cannot differentiate unless there is either a mutation or an unrelated line. Unfortunately, this does not work for the women. Y-DNA is only transmitted father to son.
To participate, at least at this early phase, please contact the Group Administrator, Whitney Keen ([email protected]) for your access code to become a participant. You will receive a copy of your profile from FTDNA. Information about your submission and the status of your report will also be available from the Group Administrator. Your genetic information will NOT be available to the general public or to the other participants. Access to your information at Familytreedna.com is password protected. If you choose to allow direct contact between you and other members of the project, you must enclose a signed release form with your submitted sample. Otherwise, all contact with others will be indirect, through me as Group Administrator.
Anyone joining the project who is purchasing the DNA kit themselves and wants to avail themselves of the $99.00 special price should use the following link to access the home page of FamilyTreeDNA.com.
