Phelps DNA Genealogy
I am convinced that after years and years of trying to get back past James Phelps, we have gotten nowhere. Unless a major break through a Bible or something, there is NO way we are going to go further back and be confident. Just too many Anglican church records have been lost, for one thing. HOWEVER DNA testing can break through this barrier with 99% accuracy I am told. In 7/2005 a NPR radio show presented the DNA genealogy concept as the most exciting new breakthrough for genealogy ever. Said it is now like the internet was for genealogy 10 years ago.
How does this work? The idea is that Phelps everywhere get a DNA genealogy test using a present day known male Phelps in their family. Then they name their earliest male Phelps that they can document with certainty. That effectively says that we know the DNA of that earliest Phelps. For example, Mark and Latham Phelps can name James Phelps for certain and can prove the ancestry. Either they or one of the male Phelps in their family posts his DNA posted with the ancestry on a web site for others to see. If the DNA results of other current day Phelps matches that DNA then they know for CERTAIN that they are both from the same ancestor. The more DNA tests that are posted the more likely it is to link for CERTAIN to an ancestor.
If someone from
Does the test hurt and is it private?. A simple mouth swab. For complete secrecy if you wish, I am told one can submit a swab for a male Phelps of his family but not submit his name. Just pay for it. The testing company has will have no idea who the test is for unless you tell them.
What
is the cost? Here is
one site’s recommendations:
Basically, you have 3 levels of "resolution":
12 markers; $101, generally not adequate to
confirm a common ancestor - good enough to disprove having a common ancestor. (not recommended)
25 markers; $171, adequate for confirming a common ancestor at your
distance of 175 to 200 years ago - and probably about 5-7 generations ago.
37 markers, $221, best. Will be
particularly useful as you bring in other Phelps families with no known ties to
you and start recruiting Phelps with pedigrees back to
How is all this coordinated? There
are several testing labs but fewer places where all this is posted and
maintained nicely. The one I have looked at has pretty good presentation
software and requires a volunteer administrator who RULES. All must go
through that person although usually the various lines have volunteers to help
make sure the ancestries submitted are valid. There are at least 3
companies doing the test. The one recommended by the web site that allows
online display and a volunteer coordinator is Family Tree DNA at http://www.familytreedna.com/ Their Phelps DNA pages start at http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/p/phelps/
Do I have to do the test to participate? No, you can submit your ancestry back
to the your earliest male Phelps to be viewed by us
all online. You should be prepared to
prove your ancestry if asked by someone.
To really get somewhere we need lots of Phelps DNA along with the
ancestries. To view the current postings go to http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/p/phelps/pats.html
To post your male Phelps ancestry, click on ADD YOUR PEDIGREE at the bottom
of the above page. Follow the
instructions you see.
Am I profiting in this? Nope, in no way, even if I became the
Administrator of the Phelps DNA page.