The aim of this project is to create a growing database of GARNETT Y-DNA 'signatures' to assist traditional genealogical research and to help members find others with whom they share a common patrilineal ancestor within the genealogical time-frame. The genealogical time-frame (or ‘surname era’) is defined as the time-span when the surname concerned has been hereditary, e.g. hereditary surnames in England were uncommon before the 11th century. Many surnames have existed for much shorter periods.