OLMSTE(A)D FAMILY
DNA TESTING
The Olmste(a)d Family Association has commenced a Family DNA Study. The following is a compellation of two letters from Barbara Taylor, President of the Association, explaining the study, and giving instructions on how to join. All males with some variation of the Olmsted/Olmstead/Omsted, etc., surname are urged to take part in the study.
Happy New Year, Everyone!
I hope your Christmas was warm and wonderful, and that 2003 will be better than 2002. At least we aren't in the middle of a drought this year.
I'm busy researching a DNA‑based surname project. All that remains is to find at least six Olmste(a)d men willing to be tested. I know of one. I've made contact with Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), and their video is on its way. They recommend that we have two men from each family line (closer than 300 years!) so we can determine "genetic representatives." We can jumpstart the project with two men. Doing this as a project saves us money. The cost this way is $99 plus postage for a 12 marker Y‑DNA (male chromosome) test. This company saves your DNA, so if you want to investigate closer relationships at a later date, you can test for 13 additional markers for $90. If you want more information or further clarification, as well as privacy assurances, please visit their website, www.FamilyTreeDNA.com and read what they have to say. You can email them your questions.
Of course there needs to be a project manager, or group administrator, to keep it moving. This person will have access to a secure page where the project's status is updated daily. I would be willing to do this, but would also entertain volunteers or nominations. The council would have to make the final decision. Two things to remember: 1) You do NOT have to be a member to join the project, and 2) Each participant pays for his own testing. So PLEASE let me know by letter (144 W Mountain Rd/Sparta, NJ 07871), by phone (973‑300‑9715 ‑ by day), or by email ([email protected]) or ([email protected]), how you feel, and if you intend to join the project. If we get enough participation, we should be able to tell if the Jabez line is related to the James/Richard line, or not. We don't have to wait until the reunion to get started, and indeed, the reunion will be more fun if we have some results to discuss. So let's get moving!
One thing I did not mention is that the test is done by a cheek swab, not blood. NO NEEDLES! No doctors or technicians are involved ‑just you following the instructions. Cheeks are swabbed and sent back to the company directly, the DNA is analyzed and reported to the PM. The PM can get the information off the website with his/her password. By the way, we women can also be tested at the project price, even though we aren't part of the paternal study.
OK, if you've made it this far I have a NEWS FLASH! We have officially begun our surname project! The primary spelling is Olmstead. I could not put in (a). You will find variations in the name at the website. Anyone who has another variation of the name you want included, let me know. Currently I am the Group Administrator. We can change it at any time, but I felt it was time to begin. For those who have Internet access, go to the join link at:
http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=H96024
You can join there, & they will tell you how much to send, or you can pay by credit card online. It should be $99 plus shipping & handling. Your join code is H96024. When you place a kit order, a number is assigned, & I will be notified and kept up-to-date. FTD ships on the first business day after the order is placed. When the kit is returned to FTDNA, you will be given a password so you can find your info at the site. AND SO WE ARE LAUNCHED! To be continued .......
Your OFA President,
Signed,
Barbara Taylor