Hello Randy.

As founder of one genealogical DNA project and as
co-administrator of two others, I would be curious
what online company made such a representation.

All such sites/companies with which I am familiar do
not offer to specifically identify
father-son/brother-to-brother/cousins-to-cousin
relationships between any two people precisely because
DNA samples for deceased persons almost always don't
exist.

But, male Y-chromosome DNA doesn't "peter out" -- it
continues unchanged or virtually unchanged passing
from father to son throughout all human history.
Occasionally, there small are random mutations, which
can actually be helpful in identifying/verifying
branches within a genetic family.

Indeed, genealogical DNA is not intended nor does it
follow protocols premised upon comparing the DNA of
any living person with that of a deceased person. If
samples of deceased persons are found, more tradition
DNA methodologies -- such as those used in medicine,
crime investigation, etc. -- would be employed.

At the simplest level, genealogical DNA matches living
me who have identical or almost identical DNA.
Combined with traditional "paper genealogy," the DNA
can confirm (more than establish) family
identification, but NOT specific matches such as being
able to tell a man from which of 2 or more brother in
a family he descends.

There are also mtDNA tests for women, but they are not
as conclusive as male Y-chromosome tests, but here is
where one may get a hint of a Native American
ancestor. But, the qualifications are many and should
be studied before investing in such tests, as is also
the case with the Y-chromosome.

Among other factors, potential testees should consider
whether they want to risk getting a result with which
they may not be comfortable (i.e., if "truth" or some
"possible truths" scare them). I had the misfortune to
be disconnected from the genetic Chandler to which I
thought I belonged and wanted very much to belong,
primarily so that I could successfully end my years of
searching for my immigrant ancestor. But, my DNA did
turn out to be very rare.

Joe Chandler Jr
Lead Administrator
Chandler DNA Project at
FamilyTreeDNA.






--- Randy Cabell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Like many Virginians, the family legend is that the
> Cabells are descended from an Indian Princess
> daughter of one of the Chiefs of the time.  Risking
> a response from such a test of 'maybe you don't want
> to know as much as you think you do', I wonder if
> DNA has been recovered from bodies of people like
> Pocohontas, Powhatan, Opechecanough, Nikitti, etc.
> Somewhere on the Internet, I recall a firm which
> will tell you how close kin your sample is to
> another sample
>
> My wife and I and a couple of children had our DNA
> tested through a rather simple test some years ago,
> but found that for whatever reason, the probability
> percentages trickled out at our
> Great-great-grandfathers' generations.   i.e.
> nothing back further than about 1750 was trackable..
>  The firm identified characteristics in four
> categories:
>     - European
>     - Sub Saharan African
>     - Native American
>     - Oriental
>
> My DNA was about as boring as you can get -- 100%
> European.  They had a follow-up offer for another
> $200 or so whereby good European Stock could further
> narrow it down to specific areas, but I did take
> them up on that.
>
>
> Randy Cabell
>
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