The Eads Family DNA Project seeks to use DNA analysis to enable Eads families to determine if they share a common ancestor with other Eads families. For ease of developing this page, I have chosen my family name “Eads” to describe the project. Please be assured that this project is for all derivatives of the name (EAD, EADS,EADE, EADES, EADS, EDD, EDDE EDDES, EDDS, etc).

The project will:

• Develop a table of genetic patterns of all Eads Families so that Eads researchers can determine whether their families have a common ancestor with other Eads families

• Encourage Eads researchers to submit DNA samples.

• Share the results with all participants in the project and make the results publicly available on the internet with appropriate considerations for privacy of participants

We are a young project. So as you can see we need representatives from YOUR line. Please find someone from your tree who qualifies and submit a test as soon as you can!

The project uses high technology DNA analysis to determine whether families share a common ancestor. The male chromosome is passed down virtually unchanged from father to son. So, two male Eads 7th cousins would have virtually the same male DNA pattern. This scientific fact is useful in genealogy when one does not have documentary records to show a family connection despite circumstantial evidence that suggest a family connection. If the DNA of the descendants of the branches one is trying to connect do not have the same DNA pattern, then one knows they are not closely related. If the pattern does match, then there is a common ancestor at some point in the past lineage. The technology can’t pinpoint  how many generations back the ancestor is, but it can tell us if there is a common ancestor.

Participants joining the project are sent a lab kit in the mail. The kit includes a “Q”tip or toothbrush type of instrument that one rubs along the inside of one’s cheek with for 30 to 60 seconds. Then the swab is placed in an envelope and mailed to the lab. That’s all it takes.

Within 6 to 8 weeks,results are available for the sample submitted. When enough samples are collected to make comparisons between branches of the family, a summary sheet will be supplied to each participant indicating which branches were shown to have a common ancestor.

A fellow researcher sent the following page that contains a list of good resources for genealogists. If you have a good website for that we should list here, let me know.

MYFACTS PAGE - GENEALOGY RESOURCES

To help the pay the costs of donations FTDNA has funds set up for each project. If you would like to help defray the cost of tests for other people go tohttp://www.familytreedna.com/group-general-fund-contribution.aspx. Be sure to specify the donation is to be given to the “Eads”project. Thank you for your generosity!  This also is a method multiple people can pay a portion of a specific test.  Contact the administrator to let them know which test a donation is to be earmarked for.