DNA Surname Project update
To date, the Whitlow Surname DNA Project has obtained samples from five descendants (according to traditional genealogical research) of William (I) Whitlow, b. abt 1669 VA.Four results have been made available to us.The data help us to resolve one "mystery" - that Major Whitlow (b. 1803/4 VA) is a half-brother of Nathaniel H. Whitlaw (b. abt 1790 VA).We have thus far tested two known descendants from Major and also two from Nathaniel.Two of our participants are exact matches at 37 Y-DNA markers, indicating a high probability that they share a common ancestor, which is also known to be James (III) Whitlow, b. abt 1753 VA.Family Tree DNA has used their computer program (FTDNATip) to obtain an estimated probability of over 90% that James (III) is their Most Recent Common Ancestor.The other two participants also match 35 or 36 of 37 markers, which indicates the same relationship, although with a lower probability.Our data indicate that traditional genealogical research can be affirmed by DNA testing, even though it does not identify the MRCA.The participant sample that is currently at the lab for analyses is a descendant from an ancestor farther back in time (than Nathaniel and Major), which might affirm more traditional research.The Project welcomes participation from others with the Whitlow/Whitlaw surnames - although only male Whitlow/Whitlaw descendants can furnish Y-DNA samples.Female descendants can also participate by recruiting their brothers, fathers, uncles, etc. with the Whitlow/Whitlaw surname.The Project co-administrators are Judy & George West, and can be contacted at the address below.Please replace
whitlowdna