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Bittick DNA ProjectContribute to Bittick DNA Project
I'd like to tell you a little about genealogical DNA testing, and I'll try not to bore you with too many details. If you want to know more just click on the links provided at the end, or contact me (Johnny Bittick) at the e-mail address below. Forensic DNA
testing has been around for some time, used primarily by law enforcement
agencies. It is an expensive
process, putting it out of reach of most genealogical researchers.
DNA testing for genealogical purposes is a relatively new tool and
differs from forensic tests in that it uses only the Y-chromosome, which keeps
the cost down to an affordable level. The Y-chromosome
is passed from father to son unchanged, except for a mutation about every 500
generations. Testing the
Y-chromosome provides us with a genetic fingerprint consisting of 12 or 25
numbers. By comparing this
fingerprint to others with the same surname we can determine if they are
related, and approximately how many generations back is their common ancestor.
Primary objectives of most Surname Projects is to prove or disprove
theories regarding ancestors, solve brick walls, determine a location for
further research, or validate existing research. The reason we,
the Bittick genealogists, want to do DNA testing is that we have researched our
ancestors back to the mid-to-late 1700s in seven different lines, but can't find
documentation to link the lines together (called the Most Recent Common
Ancestor). Neither can we find
evidence as to when that ancestor, or ancestors, migrated to the The lines we have traced so far include John Bittick (surname later changed to Biddix) born around 1748; Francis, b.1759, Samuel, b. 1755-1774, John R., b. 1781, Robert, b. 1788; Samuel F., b. 1790; Jonathan, b. 1796; Willis Henry, b. 1817. Although Samuel's line has not been tested, DNA testing has established that the other lines are related. We have now proceeded to the next step, which is to test a related family. Two different, but distantly related Biddick families in Cornwall, England, have been tested. A third Biddick family in Cornwall, England has also been tested. However results indicate that these three Biddick families are not closely related to the American Bittick lines tested. [Detailed results of the testing] The testing
procedure is simple and painless. You
receive a kit in the mail, with instructions.
You do a cheek swab, put it in the enclosed container, and mail it back
in the preaddressed envelope. That's
all there is to it. It takes about
4-6 weeks to get the results. The 12
marker test, which establishes whether or not you are related, costs $99.
The 25 marker upgrade, which is done from the same sample, costs an
additional $90. The objective of the
upgrade is to reduce the time frame of the common ancestor between the matching
participants. If you are reasonably sure
that you are related, you can opt for the 25 marker test at the beginning
and save some money. The 25 marker test costs $169 plus $2 S/H, so you
save about $20 over ordering the 12 marker test and then upgrading to 25 markers. Family Tree DNA is now
offering a 37 marker upgrade, which will further reduce the time frame of the common
ancestor. This DNA testing procedure will not tell you anything about your health or predisposition for certain diseases. It cannot be used to identify you; all related family members will have the same results. It will not indicate your exact country of origin. However, it will tell us whether the different Bittick/Biddix lines are related. It will also tell you whether your Bittick ancestors were related to the lines already tested. If you'd like to participate or have other questions, please contact Johnny M. Bittick at:
Contribute to the Bittick DNA Project: http://www.showmethebitticks.com/bittick_dna_general_fund.htm or http://www.familytreedna.com/contribution.html Bittick Project Page on Family Tree DNA web site: http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=E55659&special=True If you want to know more about the company, Family Tree DNA,
and the testing, you can check their web site at: DNA Testing for Genealogical Purposes: A Basic
Introduction: http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/7194.asp Genetic Genealogy, Part II: DNA Inheritance: http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/7330.asp DNA Testing: Why Markers Matter:
http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/6806.asp "Putting the Gene Back in Genealogy":
http://www.popsci.com/popsci/medicine/article/0,12543,567794,00.html How DNA Breakthroughs Are Revolutionizing Roots
Research: http://www.familytreemagazine.com/articles/oct00/dna.html DNA and Family Trees, by Beau Sharbrough: http://www.ancestry.com/library/view/news/articles/8762.asp?o_iid=831&o_lid=831&o_it=4717 Using DNA to Unravel Man's Ancient
Origins
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Disclaimer; Copyright 2002-2008 by Show Me...The Bitticks; www.showmethebitticks.com;
Mary Bittick Gallano and Ronda J. Snider
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