Rutherford- Background

Background

Updated 4 March 2013.

The Rutherford motto, "Nec sorte nec fato" - "Neither by chance nor byfate"

Extract from the "Historical & Critical Remarks on Prynne's History" commonly called Ragman Roll p 23.

Dominus Nicolaus de Rutherford is the ancestor of the Rutherfords of that Ilk who came to be designed Domine ejusdem in King Robert II's time.  They were a family of reputation and held the most part of their estate of the Earls of Douglas.  The family split betwixt an heir-male and heirs of line, in King James IV's reign.  Rutherford of Edgerston was the heir-male, and now represents the principal original family, and the Earl of Traquair is the heir of the line, who carries the arms of Rutherford in his achievement.

This project began at     http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/rutherford/

(Although it is still in existence, I have not taken the time to update it correctly.  Therefore, this remains the main project at this time).

Use the menu bar across the top of the project page to navigate to any page of the project website.

Surname DNA testing is the the best "add-on" tool available to genealogists!  The many advantages include:-

• Surname tests (Y-DNA) enable genealogists to verify their father's father's...father's paternal ancestry.  (The molecular (aka genetic) ancestry overrides the surname ancestry).
  
• Molecular ancestry information can be very powerful when combined with traditional paper trails and can uncover family secrets!

The following Surnames are currently included in this project:

Retherford, Rutherford, Ruther, Ruth

The Rutherford DNA Project is open to all families who have a match with this surname, of all spelling variations, and from all countries throughout the world.  
(If your surname is not included please contact the Project Administrator.)   

The Rutherford DNA Project was started to:

1. Help researchers from common or related families work together to find their shared heritage. 
2. Identify how the participant's families are connected, both genetically and through paper trails.
3. Identify and confirm Lineages of ancestral families.
4. Ultimately catalog pedigrees and genetic connections of all of the known project families.

 Participating in a Surname DNA Project provides:

• The participant's Y chromosomal DNA, which is very close (and sometimes identical) to his earliest known ancestor.
• The participant's "deep" ancestry (Haplogroup), which identifies the paternal ancestor's prehistoric origins.
• A sense of camaraderie, which is particularly strong for those who share a molecular (genetic) ancestry.
• Stimulation to family research and renewed sharing of information.
• A wider sense of identity and relationship, as we begin to realize how much we are a World Family.
• A chance to compare your molecular (genetic) ancestry with those of your Surname ancestry and the spelling variations.
• Your molecular matches who do not share your surname.  (This aspect is always fascinating)!
  
• An administrator who can guide, combine, and advise - particularly where the records have been lost.

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