The MERCER & MESSER DNA PROJECT is a collaborative research effort involving families with origins in the MERCER and/or MESSER groups of surnames. This project is a collaborative effort of member-participants desirous to discover and explore their heritage through the sharing of information and DNA test results. Members are encouraged to communicate with one another in order to further their knowledge of family history and heritage through genetic genealogical research and the sharing of information. We encourage interested parties having lineal ties to the MERCER and/or MESSER groups of surnames to join us in the search for a greater knowledge of our ancestors and the common heritage we share. Both Y-DNA and mtDNA test results are made available for the purposes of matching and/or comparison. We additionally utilize Autosomal DNA (atDNA - e.g. FTDNA's Family Finder Test) results in combination with the other two. The MERCER & MESSER PROJECT Administration Team recommends and urges each participating male member of a MERCER/MESSER Patrilineal Line to do the BIG-Y 700 Y-DNA Test (or upgrade their existing kit to this test). Thus, any of these three types of DNA tests and the willingness to collaborate with others (including granting one's consent to share their contact, pedigree, and DNA results information with and through this project), qualifies one for participatory membership in the MERCER and MESSER DNA Project.