Background:
The Davidson Surname DNA Study Project was started in June 2004
through the Davidson RootsWeb.com email list as a means of helping
to find some answers to the many real problems linking the early
Davidson families in America. The Project is becoming a tool to help
Davidson/Davison/Davisson/etc. researchers everywhere. We encourage participation
from all.
The focus of our study is the Y-chromosome DNA technology that provides a means
of tracking the male line. The Y-chromosome is passed exclusively from father to son so that looking
at the DNA characteristics of a current male Davidson/etc. will give a fairly accurate (with the
exception a possibly a few mutations) reading of what the Y-chromosome results on their male line ancestor
would be like.
This means that the only people who can be tested are MALES
who are named Davidson/etc.; however, any researcher - male or female - who is a Davidson/etc.
descendant is welcome to sponsor a brother, father, grandfather, uncle, male cousin, etc. who is
qualified to be tested.
We have chosen to use the service of
the Family Tree DNA company
to process the testing. They have developed a reputation for quality, integrity, and security in
the genealogy community. Participants may want to take some time to familiarize
themselves with the DNA technology and what the results of the testing will show. The
Family
Tree DNA site has a wealth of information available that does
not require advanced training in biology to understand. RootsWeb.com has a free
genealogy DNA mailing
list that is useful when you have general or specific questions about the technology.
This Web Site:
In reviewing numerous Surname DNA projects, we have determined that the most effective
studies are those that combine the DNA results with the real paper trail genealogy. This web site was
designed not only to present the raw DNA results, but also to relate those results with the member's
know Davidson/etc. pedigree. We are not attempting to provide an exhaustive genealogy of the family as
might be found at Rootsweb.com's
WorldConnect Project. Rather
we are providing a snapshot of the pedigree as presented by the member (or their genealogical researcher).
Brief note: In this site, a member is always the person who was tested and it will be their pedigree
that you will see. However, a member may designate a contact who is the actual genealogical researcher. This
will make sure that, if you chose to contact a member for more information, you will contact the person who
is actually most familiar with the work. Every member and contact has privacy options that they can activate to
assure their security; however, all contacts are expected to maintain a current email address so that other
researchers may communicate with them.
Much of the Study administrators' communications will be
through announcements on the Davidson email list, through the associated message boards, and through this web site.
Our focus through this Study Pproject is going to be Davidson/etc. specific interpretation of the data.
Enhancements planned for the site over
the following months will enable even non-study participants to
benefit directly and report their ancestral data.
For information about joining the project, please go to the
Davidson Surname DNA Study Project.
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Resources:
This web site and the DNA project are administered by volunteers. The
Davidson family researchers are donating their time and expertise
to help make this project successful for everyone. The web site
provides the following services right now:
First, we have compiled the DNA results and provided some initial analysis based
on the basic technical considerations. You will see them on the results page.
Second, we have a database driven member page
that links the DNA results directly with the members genealogical research.
Third, we have provided the members, or their contacts
who are actually doing the genealogy, with a means of updating their
genealogical information. So, as their research progresses, they
can keep our on-line database current.
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Current Results and Analysis:
This link will take you to the results that we have so far and the links to the Davidson
pedigree of the project members. |
Member Only Data Entry:
This link is for project members only. It allows them to enter and
maintain their personal ancestral data.
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