Neff DNA Project Sponsored by Neff Family Historical Society

Group Administrator: Mary Neff - Email: neffdna@neffnews.org
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Project Background

In 2005, The Neff Family Historical Society, Inc. of America began a Surname research project based upon and utilizing the latest Y-chromosome DNA testing technology. The Neff surname lines under study are those who immigrated from Switzerland and Germany to North America from the early 1600's to the end of the 1700's. The original spelling is generally found as NÄF, however common variation in America are found as Naef, Naff, Neff, and Nave.

The first phase of this project involves the identification of men who descent from a Neff immigrant to America where their genealogy has been well documented by the Neff Family Historical Society. Y-chromosome DNA samples from MALE descendants of these immigrants is being used to establish our "Base Y-chromosome signatures."

Unfortunately females do NOT carry the y-chromosome gene and cannot participate directly. Women may want to sponsor a father, brother, husband or other male relative with the Neff, Naff, Nave, Naef or Näf surname.

Participants descended from 19th and 20th century immigrants lines, as well as those wishing to identify their family line to a Neff immigrant line, are welcome to join at any time. Meaningful results, however, may depend upon the completion of the first phase of the project. For family genealogical information, please visit: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~neff/. You may also send an email to and our research team can assist you to indentify your Neff - Naef - Naff - Nave family line.

NOTE: Not withstanding any language represented by third parties to the contrary, the information herein presented as the "Neff Base DNA Signature Project" is the intellectual property of the Neff Family Historical Society Inc., a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Neff Base DNA Signature Project and its results are protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and the European Union. For information on obtaining use of the ongoing results of this project, contact the Neff Family Historical Society at NeffDNA@neffnews.org. Furthermore, there is no warranty expressed or implied that the information presented in this study now and in the future can be used to establish with absolute certainty the paternal linage of an individual Neff family member. Updated 2 January 2009