Project Surnames
ABBADIE, Acadia, Acadian, DENYS, DOUCET, DUGAS, GAUTROT, LA TOUR, LAMBERT, LEJEUNE, Metis, Métis, Métisses, MIUS, PETITPAS, SAUVAGE
Project Background
In 2004 a project with Family Tree DNA was begun under their "Geographical Projects." Because there is continuing disagreement about the European or New World origin of many Acadian lineages, we sought to prove the matrilineal source of several Acadian families through genetics. Anyone tracing their mother's-mother's-mother's-mother's-mother, etc. line back to an Acadian "mother" was encouraged to submit mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) for testing. By 2007 there were over 25 submitters, some confirming clear Amerindian origin for Acadian lines, others definitely from Europe.