Debenham Surname DNA Project- Background

Background

Welcome to the Debenham Surname DNA Project which was started in January of 2010. All Debenhams and variants are welcome to take part in this exciting new project. Large groups of people with these surnames live in England, Wales, Australia, and the United States. Do they all descend from Lucas de Debenham who lived in Debenham, England in 1165, or from a dozen different family members that lived in Debenham when last names were decided by where you live. It now appears that the Sapiston and Redgrave lines identified by Frank Debenham are one and the same. Both arise from villages to the north of Bury St Edmunds, ultimately Sapiston. The Baronet's line, from which the stores group originates has origins in villages to the south of Bury St Edmunds, ultimately Bradfield St George. It appears there is at least one other line from Norfolk. Do the Sapiston-Redgrave, Norfolk, and Baronet lines have the same Y-DNA, let's find out. This technique allows us to identify which families we are not related to as well as which ones we are. Only males with the Debenham or variants surname may become members of the project by taking the Y-DNA test, it is recommended that members take the 37 marker Y-DNA test. Each member will share their known lineage to help with the grouping. We encourage females to join our project by having a male relative with the Debenham or variants surname take the test. Taking the Y-DNA test will preserve your family's Y-DNA sequence for future research should all the male's in your lineage dissappear.