While a surname itself usually can provide some general information about the origin of a family, DNA-testing can give us additional new, concrete, scientific evidence for identifying and separating family lines. Y-chromosome DNA testing is especially helpful because the male Y-chromosome is handed down, father to son, unchanged through the generations, except for rare mutations which, in themselves, can be helpful indicators of branching. These mutational differences can be used to sort related family lines into branches and of course can be used to sort the various Conrick (and similar sounding names) families in the USA and all over the world into those which are genetically related and those which are not. This is a great aide to traditional research as you will know which lines to focus on as being truly your own clan. The accessibility and affordability of family DNA testing is doubtless the greatest technical advance in the history of genealogical research because -- at long, long last -- we have a tool to break down those brick walls!