The initial focus of the study was to determine which Stidhams (all spellings) were genetically descended from the Swedish immigrant to America in 1654, Timen Stiddem (ca. 1610-1686). Also, to see which Stidhams may have instead, descended from the Scottish immigrant, John Steedman (1715-1795), many of whom now spell their surname as Stidham, Stedham, or Steadham. The New England Stedmans (all spellings) were added to the project to determine if they may be related to the Scottish Steedmans.