About us
The purpose of the Barnum Family DNA Project is to provide an opportunity for males with the Barnum surname to participate in a DNA test of the Y-chromosome sequence. Female Barnum descendants are encouraged to participate by having a close male Barnum relative take the test. When we find a match of the Y-chromosome DNA sequence between two or more participants, we will have found a genetic link to a common ancestor. With good family history documentation and research it may be possible to determine who that ancestor was.
We would like to have at least two participants from each of the major Barnum lines that have been thoroughly researched and documented. So, the first goal will be to obtain reliable grouping of the samples taken. Each group will be built by matching similar DNA sequences. Independent research should show that each "group" has a common ancestor. The grouping should help to determine to which genetic subgroup each of the four sons of the immigrant ancestor belongs.
Therefore, one of the goals here is to split the fine lines between the genetic groupings. Perhaps this will enable us to focus future research upon the most likely Barnum lines to which “orphan” families most likely belong.
Another goal should be produced as a side effect, that being to help verify the country of origin of the immigrant ancestor, Thomas, and determine those of his earlier ancestors.
A similar side effect should be that this testing will enable us to determine Native American and African American ancestors. Although all Barnum lines presume descent from England, there exist some Barnum lines that believe that they are of Native American or African American descent. This is something that eventually, we should be able to verify.
For example, if your ancestor was an African American slave who took on the Barnum surname after gaining freedom, three participants in that line would establish the haplotype group to which the family belongs. That haplogroup then can provide clues as to the original ancestral lines in Africa, allowing an informed search for earlier, non-Barnum ancestors.
Later, we will be able to determine the Most Recent Common Ancestor (for now, the immigrant ancestor Thomas), which may tell us something about our Paleo Barnum ancestors that first arrived in Europe.
Our main interest here, of course, is to split the fine lines of our more recent ancestors and allow “brick walls” in Barnum paper-based genealogy to be overcome.
We would like to have at least two participants from each of the major Barnum lines that have been thoroughly researched and documented. So, the first goal will be to obtain reliable grouping of the samples taken. Each group will be built by matching similar DNA sequences. Independent research should show that each "group" has a common ancestor. The grouping should help to determine to which genetic subgroup each of the four sons of the immigrant ancestor belongs.
Therefore, one of the goals here is to split the fine lines between the genetic groupings. Perhaps this will enable us to focus future research upon the most likely Barnum lines to which “orphan” families most likely belong.
Another goal should be produced as a side effect, that being to help verify the country of origin of the immigrant ancestor, Thomas, and determine those of his earlier ancestors.
A similar side effect should be that this testing will enable us to determine Native American and African American ancestors. Although all Barnum lines presume descent from England, there exist some Barnum lines that believe that they are of Native American or African American descent. This is something that eventually, we should be able to verify.
For example, if your ancestor was an African American slave who took on the Barnum surname after gaining freedom, three participants in that line would establish the haplotype group to which the family belongs. That haplogroup then can provide clues as to the original ancestral lines in Africa, allowing an informed search for earlier, non-Barnum ancestors.
Later, we will be able to determine the Most Recent Common Ancestor (for now, the immigrant ancestor Thomas), which may tell us something about our Paleo Barnum ancestors that first arrived in Europe.
Our main interest here, of course, is to split the fine lines of our more recent ancestors and allow “brick walls” in Barnum paper-based genealogy to be overcome.