Project Goals
Our goal is to connect related family lines, while at the same time identifying seperate Rakestraw families. Based on the test results of first two participants, we now know that Jesse Rakestraw (b. 1752) is unrelated to William Rakestraw, who was one of the earliest Quaker immigrants to Philadelphia in 1684.
Our goal is to find at least one male descendant from each son of William Rakestraw & Grace Wyron. This would confirm or refute a family relationship between many of the Rakestraws across America. For instance, a branch of Rakestraws from the Mid-West appears to be connected to William, but participation by a confirmed descendant of Kimble Rakestraw will verify this link. Likewise, a close match between a Mid-Western Rakestraw and one in the South would solidify the fine research of Pete Craig & Mary Ann Hubbell, confirming the connection of these lines to William Rakestraw & Grace Wyron.
Furthermore, we want to help researchers west of Georgia to establish which family they come from, William of Philadelphia or Jesse of Spartanburg. Of course, in so doing, we may discover even more Rakestraw lines.
Ultimately, Y-DNA testing will allow each Rakestraw family in America to find their European roots.