Joines/Joynes/Jines DNA Project Goals

The Joines/Joynes/Jines DNA Project is dedicated to using DNA testing to advance genealogical research, trace our ancestors' migration, and uncover deep ancestral origins. By working together, we can connect family lines and break through historical research barriers. To achieve these objectives, we have set the following key goals:

1. Identify and Connect Related Families

One of our primary goals is to identify and connect individuals and family groups who share the Joines, Joynes, or Jines surname (and variations). Through Y-DNA testing, we can establish relationships between different family lines, helping members understand their direct paternal ancestry.

2. Expand Participation in Y-DNA Testing

We encourage more men with the surname Joines, Joynes, or Jines to take a Y-DNA test (Y-37 and/or the Big Y-700). The more participants we have, the better we can define family branches and trace our lineage. Women can also contribute by encouraging male relatives to test and by participating in mtDNA and autosomal DNA testing.

3. Overcome Genealogical Research Barriers

DNA testing provides powerful tools for breaking through genealogical roadblocks. Many records have been lost or destroyed over time, making traditional research difficult. DNA testing helps fill in the gaps, offering genetic evidence to confirm or refine family connections and historical records.

4. Discover Migration Patterns and Deep Ancestral Origins

By expanding our testing pool, especially with participants from the UK and beyond, we can better understand our ancestors' migration routes. Our project has already revealed that most American Joines/Joynes/Jines men descend from Edmund Joynes, who lived on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the late 1600s, but we seek to learn more about earlier generations and their movements from the Middle East, the British Isles, and around the world.

5. Recruit Participants from the UK

To deepen our understanding of our surname's origins, we need to identify and recruit men in the UK with our common surname to participate in Y-DNA testing. This will help us confirm ancestral connections, refine family branches, and uncover whether different UK branches share a common ancestor with those in the United States and other countries.

6. Ensure Project Continuity Through Leadership

The success of our DNA project depends on dedicated administrators who are willing to learn about genetic genealogy and help manage the project. We seek volunteers who can assist with organizing data, interpreting results, and guiding new participants. Ensuring leadership continuity will help our project grow and thrive for future generations.

7. Raise Funds for DNA Testing

DNA testing provides invaluable knowledge, but many tests are too expensive for individual participants to afford. To encourage broader participation and ensure no one is excluded due to cost, we must raise funds to support testing efforts. We have a donate button on our website and encourage everyone to contribute. Every donation helps us sponsor tests for key participants, bringing us closer to achieving our research goals.

By working together, sharing knowledge, and pooling resources, we can preserve and expand our understanding of the Joines/Joynes/Jines family history. Thank you for your support and participation!