Sorting Out Canadian Merkleys

After the American Revolution, members of several unrelated Merckel (Merkley) families settled in the same areas of Ontario. Eventually they or some of their descendants intermarried and, of course, many gave similar first names to their children, creating a tangle for family historians.

Today we have the means to untangle these roots through DNA testing and fortunately FTDNA, a well-known testing company, is offering discounted pricing for some of their tests when ordered through established "surname projects."

The Markle Surname DNA Project was established to catalog pedigrees and matching DNA test results for all Merckel lines (including Merkley, Miracle, and others). The site now includes pedigrees of seven immigrant patriarchs ca 1700 and nearly 1,000 of their direct descendants prior to 1910. Those who order DNA testing from FTDNA through the Markle Surname DNA Project before 31 Dec 2008 can obtain a 37-marker test for $119 instead of the usual $259. This is an outstanding opportunity to create a Merkley DNA database and sort out those tangled family roots. Men who carry the Merkley surname are urged to participate in at least a 37-marker y-DNA test. Women who have Merkleys in their family history can participate by locating a male Merkley relative (brother, uncle, or even a distant cousin) to test. Families can even join together to share the cost of having one Merkley relative tested.

Please visit the site's Home Page using the link below. You can search the pedigrees for your own Merkley ancestor by clicking on the Patriarchs link. If your line is not yet listed, you can post a simple pedigree by clicking on the Pedigrees link. Join the project and order a DNA test kit at the reduced price by clicking on the Order link. If you already have DNA test results, or if you have questions or need help, the project administrators will be happy to assist. Contact information is listed at the bottom of the Home Page.

http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/markle/homehttp://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/markle/home