LEWIS Surname DNA Project

INTRODUCTION:

The LEWIS Surname DNA Project, one of the larger DNA surname projects with almost 240 participants, was created in 2003 as a nonprofit organization to develop a collection of Lewis family groups who descend from various male Lewis ancestors. DNA analysis of the Y chromosome, carried exclusively by males, provides a tool for identifying participants who share a common male ancestor. When used in unison with documented Lewis pedigrees, these tests can also aid in establishing links between Lewis groups who previously were thought to be unrelated.

Because many Lewis surname researchers have exhausted traditional genealogy research methods without identifying their elusive Lewis ancestor, this project combines genetics and genealogy in an effort to break through the proverbial "brick wall".

Much useful information on the application of DNA analysis to genealogy research can be found through the DNA Resources page.

Please verify all genealogy information independently. The LEWIS Surname DNA Project makes NO guarantees, expressed or implied, that the Ancestry Charts furnished for user convenience are infallible. As with all information of this sort found on the Internet, users should obtain documentation through their own resources.

PARTICIPATION:

Since males are the exclusive carriers of the Y-chromosome, which passes down through the generations to the common ancestor's lineal male descendants, only males with the Lewis surname will be tested for this project. However, a female also can benefit from the DNA technology by having a brother, father, uncle, grandfather, nephew or cousin with the Lewis surname participate in the Lewis DNA Project.

FTDNA has given the LEWIS project a discounted price of $99.00 for a Y-DNA12 test or $189.00 for a Y-DNA37 test. If the 12-marker test is chosen, it can always be upgraded later to the Y-DNA37 test for $99 to identify the additional 25 markers. However, the Y-DNA37 test is particularly useful in genealogy research since it can greatly reduce the number of possible generations between the participants and their Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA). We recommend the Y-DNA37 test because matching results with this test offer a significantly greater probability that the MRCA lived at a time when the Lewis surname was in use and paper documentation existed.

Participants are required to provide the project with a brief paternal lineage in the format shown for Kit#38757 . Please send a text file of the lineage to: ljcrain@pgrb.com

TESTING LAB:

All testing for the Lewis Surname DNA Project will be conducted through Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) of Houston, TX in concert with Dr. Michael Hammer and the University of Arizona. Only that part of the DNA which contains the Y-chromosome will be tested. With the exception of infrequent mutations, the Y-chromosome remains stable in all lineal descendants of the common male ancestor. Test results will be entered into FTDNA's large database for comparison with the other results. Should a participant have a Y-DNA match within the database the lab will inform those participants provided they have signed the FTDNA Release Form. All project participants will receive a certificate and a general analysis and interpretation of their test results from the lab.

The FTDNA website provides answers to many questions regarding DNA testing and it's usefulness as a genealogy research tool.

DISCLAIMER

The Lewis Surname DNA Project generates no monetary compensation for it's organizers.

The administrator serves as a volunteer.

Hopefully, the DNA results and pedigrees provided to the Lewis Surname DNA Project will further the unraveling of a surname group which at present has numerous broken lines. It must be noted that while participant DNA matches indicate only a nameless common male ancestor who might be part of an established Lewis group, it is up to the researcher to work diligently to place a name on that common ancestor.

By participation in the project, the participant agrees to all conditions of the Project; i.e. results and surname will be displayed in our project index chart for public viewing on the Internet.

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Thanks to David Crain for furnishing this space.

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