By July 2010, descendants of four grandsons of John Kitts had submitted DNA samples. From this effort, the Kitts Project was able to identify the DNA markers of John Kitts (Götz) who was born around 1730.  John Kitts lived in the Wythe Co., VA area by 1771 and moved to Fort Nashborough, NC (which later became Nashville, TN) in 1780. 

John Kitts (Götz) -- Born  c. 1730 (birthplace unknown), Lived in Wythe Co., VA by 1771, Moved to Fort Nashborough before 1784 (thus making the Kitts a First Family of Tennessee) and Died 1802 in Robertson Co., TN                      

John Kitts had 1 documented son named Peter Kitts, Sr.                              

Peter Kitts, Sr. -- Born c. 1759, Moved by 1810 to Grainger Co., TN and Died after 1830 in Grainger Co., TN   

Peter Kitts, Sr. had 7 documented sons named Andrew, Henry Hiram, Jacob, James, John, Joseph, and Peter Jr.                              

John Kitts’ grandsons  “The Seven Branches”      

Virginia -- Andrew, Henry Hiram and Jacob returned to Wythe Co., VA                  

Tennessee -- James, John and Peter Jr. remained in Grainger Co., TN                    

Illinois -- Joseph moved to Edgar Co., IL                

Kit#         Direct Descendant of John Kitts’ Grandson

122925    Henry Hiram

180848    Henry Hiram

158341    John

175615    Peter Jr.

234478    Andrew

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In September 2013, a list of possible Kitts ancestors was extracted from early colonial records and ship passenger lists. The list was e-mailed out to John Kitts descendants.

Michael Kitts has taken the lead in investigating the names on this list.  He has started to contact the direct descendants of those listed in order to secure DNA samples.

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In May 2014, DNA testing was done for an 8th generation male descendant of Johann Petter Götz who sailed in 1744 aboard the Phoenix to Pennsylvania.  Interestingly, Johann Petter Götz made this journey alongside a member of the Wyrick family. Unfortunately, the DNA test showed no relation between this Getz branch and John Kitts’ family.

The following are the 12 markers for this Götz descendant:

FTDNA Kit #314577  (an 8^th generation descendant of Johann Petter Götz)

DYS393  = 15

DYS390 = 24

DYS19 = 15

DYS391 = 10

DYS385 = 15-15

DYS426 = 11

DYS388 = 13

DYS439 = 11

DYS389I = 13

DYS392 = 12

DYS389II = 29314577

Winston

I-M223

15

24

15

10

15-15

11

13

11

13

12

29


DYS393

DYS390

DYS19

DYS391

DYS385

DYS426

DYS388

DYS439

DYS389I

DYS392

DYS389II

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In June 2014, other persons either from or related to the September 2013 "possible Kitts ancestors list" are being placed here so that further research into their DNA might begin.  Here are the "Top 8 to Locate."  Hopefully their descendants will provide DNA markers.

1) John "the Silversmith" Getz (Lancaster Branch claims as the third son of Petter Getz' line)