Your interest in this BARD / BAIRD / BEARD DNA project is greatly appreciated by its  Administrators. We hope this information will give you a better understanding of how the use of DNA samples can contribute to more accurate genealogical research. Our aim is to avoid the technical language and details as much as possible, but still give you accurate insight into the process, and address any questions or concerns you might have concerning the nature of the process.

Our study is based on the Y chromosome. The Y chromosome is passed unchanged from father to son, generation after generation (i.e.: a son can only get the Y chromosomal genes from his father, and mutations only occur very rarely, about 1 in every 40 generations). This type of Y chromosome DNA test can determine relation between individuals and families, but not direct descendancy from one ancestor, and not total individual genetic identity (only 12 "loci" or genetic markers are used).

A good example of Y chromosome testing is the now famous Thomas Jefferson / Sally Hemings test which you may recall, successfully established that living descendants of Sally Hemings were related to the Jefferson family, (but not which male Jefferson was the genetic contributor).

The necessary scientific techniques and procedures are now readily available to the lay public. Genealogists have coined the new term, "genetic genealogy," to define these new and exciting scientific applications to genealogy. These techniques allow distant cousins, (both proven, and unproven), to compare genes and define a common ancestor! Depending on how sophisticated a test is, a MRCA (Most Recent Common Ancestor) can potentially be predicted to within 3-7 generations. Therefore those of us stuck at a "brick wall" in our genealogical research, may be able to identify common lines and therefore focus research on a closely related line as a way around an impasse.

We hope to have a dozen or so samples as our core DNA group (i.e.: "common families" based on genealogy research). It takes about 7 weeks to obtain the results from the DNA test. We hope there will be some "surprise results" which will help us focus on specific closely related lines, previously unknown, thereby opening up a new avenue of research. Newly found common connections may even eventually lead to verifiable common genealogical lines in Ireland or Scotland.

We encourage all male BARD, BAIRD, and BEARD descendants to take the easy and painless test, and submit their DNA samples to Houston, Texas. As the results come back, they will be posted on this Web site on the Donor page, where you will see actual Y chromosome markers of the various BARD, BAIRD, and BEARD contributors. The DNA marker blocks will be designated by number only, as all donor's names are kept strictly confidential.

For more technical details associated with this type of study, please visit our DNA Technical Information page. You may also have further questions on your mind that are already answered in our FAQ, (Frequently Asked Questions) page.

And finally, if you feel that you would like to participate in this BARD, BAIRD, and BEARD DNA study, please read about the FamilyTree DNA kit on the DNA Kit Information page and then contact the project administrator as shown on the Contact page.