The Stickle Project is open to anyone with a related surname, especially Stickle(s), Stickel(s), Steckel, Stickell(s) and Stoeckel, but including other surnames that may have evolved from a common source through adaptations to different languages and particularly before standardized spelling.  While our study's origins are in the United States, the ultimate success of our project will rely on participation worldwide, but particularly in Europe.  We also welcome the participation of individuals who don't carry the Stickle surname but test as a likely descendant.

There are clusters of Stickle families in many parts of the US as well as in Germany, England, Scotland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  Families have been reported from Poland and Russia as well.  We seek to understand whether these families are related and how many lines of descent they may constitute.  Most US based participants encounter research "brick walls" in the 18th century.  Of the many Stickle families who trace their earliest ancestors to Virginia, there is frustratingly little documentation for for 18th century.  The situation for famlies with New York origins is somewhat better. In any case, work with YDNA can help researchers navigate through the documentary "Bermuda Triangle" and help point the way back to British or European origins. 

The Y DNA test focuses exclusively on the direct paternal line, i.e. your father, his father, and so forth back in time.  Because changes in the chromosome (mutations) are relatively rare the Y DNA footprint is remarkably consistent over many generations.  Because the Y chromosome is passed exclusively from fathers to sons, only males can take the test.  If you are a female and would like to participate we invite and encourage you to recruit a direct line male relative to test and represent your family.  If you believe there is a Stickle or variant in your direct male line, although you have a different surname, you are also welcome to participate.  

We encourage new testers to order a 111 marker Y-DNA. If you have previously tested at a lower level we can assist you in obtaining an upgrade.  Based on the results of your intitial test we can help you determine if additional testing would be useful.  In some cases we may recommend a "Big Y" test which encompasses hundreds of markers and provides information about a tester's place on the global genetic Haplogroup Tree.  While the costs of genetic testing have declined dramatically in the past few years, advanced testing can be costly.  In cases where additional testing is recommended the Group may make funds available to offset some or all of the cost.  

We recommend that members upload a simplified "family tree" to FTDNA (direct paternal line only) to enable our Group Administors to corrolate DNA results with the known documentary record.  FTDNA also provides a convenient mechanism for transfering results of autosomal tests conducted through other testing companies so that YDNA and autosomal results can be evaluated in tendem.