The Rowden DNA Project welcomes all participants and we encourage you to join today!

This DNA Project is part of ongoing research into the origins of the Rowd*n surname, which predominantly include Rowden and Rowdon, but considers any potential variant of the surname. More about the research may be found at www.rowdensurname.org.

The Y DNA test tells you about your direct male line, which would be your father, his father, and so on back in time.  You must be male to take this test, and you should have one of the surnames shown.  If you believe there is a Rowden or variant in your direct male line, although you have a different surname, you are also welcome to participate.  If you are female, you will need to find a direct line male in your family tree to participate and represent your tree.

We encourage males to order a Y-DNA test for 37 markers. This provides an excellent result which can be used to compare with existing results. Some men have gone onto test using the Big Y, a much deeper YDNA test, and this has produced some exciting family connections.

Both males and females may also be interested in learning about their direct female line, which would be their mother, their mother's mother, and back in time.  Both men and women inherit mtDNA, although only women pass it on.   To explore your direct female line, you would order a mtDNA test.  For matches in a genealogical time frame, order the mtDNA Full Sequence test.

To find matches across all branches of your family tree - both males and females - you want to order Family Finder, which is an autosomal DNA test looking back about 5 generations.

The results of the DNA tests contain no personal information and you will match, or be a close match, to those to whom you are related.  This is an opportunity to learn more about your origins and ancestry.

Order your test kit today and join us in making discoveries.

We have also established a General Fund, to accept donations in any currency via credit card. These funds will be held at the testing company, and used to help sponsor test kits for those key males who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of participation in the project.

The Rowden surname study is also registered with the Guild of One-Name Studies.