Welcome Cousin! Whether you’ve taken the Y-DNA test or the Family Finder, you likely have Renshaw ancestry, along with an interest in family history, and a curiosity about genetic genealogy.

After many years of researching the Renshaw lines and corresponding with researchers from numerous locales, the Renshaw researchers decided that it was time to take the research to a new level. The purpose of the Renshaw DNA Project is to create analytical links from various family researchers; to discover how or if the various families with these surnames are related; to explore our extended family’s origins, migrations and history; and hopefully to break through some of our brick walls by confirming individual membership in specific lines. As such, we hope to get DNA samples of various Renshaw lineages, both in the U.S. and abroad. Both Y-DNA and Family Finder testers are invited to join the project.

Who are our common ancestors and what were their migration patterns? Can the brick walls be broken? Lets give it a try!!

Surnames contained in the project are:
Renshaw, Rencher, Ramshaw, Rancher, Ranshaw, Ranshe, Ransher, Ranshous, Ravenshaw, Reinshaw, Remshard, Renche, Renchey, Renchy, Renshall, Renshaw, Rensche, Renshe, Rensher, Rentch, Rentchler, Reshaw, Rimshaw, Rincher, Runche, Runsha, Runshaw, Runshe, Runsher, Ollorenshaw, Olorenshaw, Orenshaw, Wrench, Wrencher, Wrenchey, Wrenchy, Wrenshall, Wrenshaw, Wrentch, etc.

Quick Tour:

Tabs on the upper section of the page:
Background – Provides a brief history of the project.
Goals – Will list name variants, some details on the lines tested so far.
News – Has periodic notices about the project.
Results – Includes a synopsis of the results to date.

Tabs on the right side of the page:
DNA Results – Click on the DNA Results menu option to get to the reports, such as the Classic Chart, Colorized Chart, and other features.
Surnames – Lists the relevant names and alternate spellings included in the project.
Activity Feed – Currently we use Renshaw-L for most of our communications so we haven’t used this section. FTDNA designed it to allow the group project members to interact and share information more quickly and freely. You can ask questions, help one another in their research, post pictures, etc. It could be that with the issues associated with Renshaw-L, this will become a good way to communicate.
Photos – The Photos section brings together all photos that have been posted by group members and sorts them by month posted.
Links – These include links to resources and outside pages the project administrators and other members have found useful. They might include information on surname-related forums, basic references for understanding DNA testing, etc. If you have a link you would like included or if there is a link that does not work, please email administrator.

As previously mentioned, the project was initiated to try to help genealogy researchers break through their brick walls. It is designed to augment genealogical research and to provide general insight concerning the various lines and their genetic composition. DNA testing is not a substitute for genealogy research. Instead, it is a companion tool to prove or disprove research, determine relationships, and to provide further clues for further research. It can be a very powerful tool when combined with your genealogical research. It can uncover new relatives, information that was not previously known, as well as confirm your research, and get leads for further research.

While we’d love to have everyone eligible join the project, we want to be proactive and note that there are pros and cons to both genealogical research and DNA testing. Throughout history there have been many events and social issues that affect your research that might impact the genealogical research you have conducted and the DNA findings, such as: immigrations, migrations, burned records facilities, name changes, adoptions and other social issues.

Positive aspects of genealogical research and DNA testing include:
1. Adoptees have found their biological parents;
2. Researchers have broken down long-standing genealogical “brick walls”;
3. Family connections have been made that could not have been made otherwise, since any documentation has long-since been destroyed.

Negative aspects of genealogical research and testing include:
1. Someone’s parents are not who they thought.
2. Siblings may turn out to be half siblings.
3. Known cousins are not related despite the genealogical documentation to the contrary.
4. Family legends may be debunked, i.e. you may not descend from Charlemagne or an Indian princess.

Despite the potential negatives, we hope you have decided to participate in the project. If you have, we suggest the following to begin with:
1. Officially become a member of the Renshaw Project before ordering your test. There is a slight discount for project members.
2. If you are a male and a direct line Renshaw descendant you should order:
a. Y-DNA67 or Y-DNA111 since the lesser tests are generally not nearly as helpful.
b. Family Finder to help you connect with cousins who are not direct line male descendants.
3. If you are a male and are not a direct line Renshaw descendant, but descend through a female line, order a Family Finder test.
4. If you are a female, start by ordering a Family Finder test.
Note on Family Finder tests: An autosomal match doesn’t automatically mean that you match a person on the same project/family name. It may mean that you are a match on another line.

DISCLAIMER: The Renshaw DNA Project is an independent project run by volunteer administrators. The group administrators receive no payments or incentives from Family Tree DNA or any other organization or institution. There is no guarantee that every participant will match anyone in the DNA project or in the wider Family Tree DNA database.
Member information and data obtained from the Renshaw DNA Project must be attributed to the project, the administrators and Family Tree DNA. Please notify the administrators when using data for public or private research.