Sept 29, 2015. A Family Finder project to augment the Light Surname Project on FTDNA with autosomal results from Light, Licht, Lichty, Leichti, Liechti, and allied families' descendants branching from the southeastern region of Pennsylvania in the early 1700s to the present to assist in determining how these families are or might be related. Other surnames included but not limited to Landis, Meyer, Steckbeck, Groh, Immel, Schürch, Scherck, Sherk, Shirk, Funck, Wenger, Kreider-Grider, Brandt, Greiner, Longenecker, Holdeman, Hunsicker and variants.
UPDATE as of July 2026: We've come a long way since 2015: solidifying Swiss ancestral roots for several Light and variant lines. However, we are still not sure about how two of the most researched of the early colonial lines are related to Johannes Leicht (aka Licht, John Light, Sr.) of the Fort. We have just had another Big Y match for what may be the Jacob Light 1702-1762 line of "Conestogoe". This line is still our goal in upgrading another genealogically confirmed kit to Big Y to hopefully match with the other two Big Y kits we are not fully sure are of the line, although matching very closely. We are continuing to work on the genealogy, but it is proving challenging.) Please consider a donation using the option on the left of your screen. Thank you!
(Please see the other lines we are focusing in on, under GOALS above.)
The NEW FTDNA Family Finder test now uses the same "NGS" technology as the Big Y and has the lowest cost available for such a test, especially during the regular FTDNA sales!
If you are a Light or suspect you are a Light (or one of any of the variant surnames) and you are a male or a relative is a male who may trace father to father along a Light line, consider the new Family Finder test as it will help, unlike other autosomal tests in determining if you match any of the other Light and variant surnamed males in our project. Although transfers and FF upgrades are not yet available, stay tuned, or 1) contact one of our administrators for consultation on your strategy, and or 2) keep on top of the developments HERE: https://bit.ly/4foKjOr
(btw, this strategy applies to any surname. Please contact us if you'd like to understand more about it.)