[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] DNA testing

[Nelson Itterman]

Hello Greg:
What a story, looks like miracles can happen. It appears that a diligent
search could succeed. I am stuck in Volhynia with the story that the family
came from Konigsburg, which Konigsburg? Ost Preussen or Preussen? There are
several.
Now you've got me on the hook. I have hit the wall with my 3rd great
grandfather, on my paternal line, and have been wondering how I could reach
further back. You give me hope. Could you direct me to a specific DNA
research establishment so that I can start. You can contact me directly.
Nelson

-----Original Message-----
From: ger-poland-volhynia-bounces at eclipse.sggee.org
[mailto:ger-poland-volhynia-bounces at eclipse.sggee.org] On Behalf Of Greg
Mason
Sent: May-03-09 6:06 PM
To: GARY.RUPPERT at comcast.net
Cc: ger-poland-volhynia at eclipse.sggee.org
Subject: Re: [Ger-Poland-Volhynia] DNA testing


Gary:  You have raised a very important question and one about which I can
speak with a fair degree of positive personal experience.  For 30 years I
had a brick wall at the 3d great grandfather in my paternal line.  About 5
years ago a distant cousin and I began some serious Y DNA research (and
establishment of a study group) which led to breaking that brick wall and
"confirming" what I had suspected for many years.  My suspicions were based
on circumstantial evidence; fortunately, he had a solid paper trail back to
a person whom  
ultimately became our common 4th great grandfather.    With the  
results of 67 marker Y DNA  testing, together with detailed historical
analysis of male children and siblings of that 4th great grandfather, I am
now able to assume my 3d great grandfather's identity with a 95% assurance.
Now, a purist would argue that I still do not have a "concrete evidence"
which  "proves" my lineage.  I'll take my circumstantial evidence, our
lineage analysis, and the Y DNA 95% assurance and stack it up against most
of the results I have seen in recent years that passes for "genealogical
research."  My surname lineage and this testing story do not relate to the
SGGEE data bases, (which are rather on my wife's lineage)  but I am
responding to your comment because I believe you have raised  an important
point and one that most researchers must ultimately  deal with as they make
a decision of whether or not to proceed with DNA testing, especially YDNA.
I do share your concerns about the limited utility of mtDNA testing,
especially without the detailed paper trails.  Thanks for raising this
question.  Greg Mason


On May 3, 2009, at 7:05 PM, GARY.RUPPERT at comcast.net wrote:

>
>
> The results of DNA testing whether mitochrondial or haplotyping are 
> very interesting, especially in a specialized group represented by 
> this mail list, I am wondering however how often these somewhat 
> expensive studies have proven useful at either establishing or 
> disproving a genealogy link to another individual and thus extending 
> or pruning a line? Although knowing ancient origins may be of interest 
> as the subject for a cocktail discussion,  if that is all DNA testing 
> is able to provide at the moment then its utility is still limited.
>
>
>
> Have any of you had specific examples where connections were made or 
> assumptions were disproved?  If so, were they something more than 
> resolution of a question or paternity or did they make a major change 
> in your research?
>
> _______________________________________________
> Ger-Poland-Volhynia Mailing List hosted by Society for German 
> Genealogy in Eastern Europe http://www.sggee.org Mailing list info at 
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