When I first heard of Ireland-XO I thought that somehow a DNA sample was going to be taken from the quentisential people in each Parish and somehow those of us that have little, other than a surname, could try to see where we came from using DNA. In my case my surname is Kelly and all I have for a first name for my 2 X Grandfather is Mr.
Did I miss something or does such a project exhist?
Jim Kelly
Jim:
We do not have a DNA project where DNA samples are taken from local people in Irish parishes so diaspora can match their DNA againts the samples of people living in Irish.
Our basic mission is to try to assist diaspora to find their home place in Ireland using information provided by the poster and searching various records available in Ireland. If the poster like yourself has very limited information then it will be difficult to determine where your ancestors came from. If the surname is Kelly or Murphy or another common surname, the task is even more difficult.
If you tested with one of the major DNA companies, did they provide any more specific information on the province or county where your family may have come from?
Roger McDonnell
Roger,
Thanks for the response. I would describe myself as a very proficient genealogist. I have traced all of my lines back into the 17th and 18th century in Europe. I have used church records, census records, ships passage records, etc. The problem is when you have little more than a last name, his wife's first name and nothing more. DNA is all that there is.
I have used FTDNA, Ancestry, GEDMATCH, etc., all with no luck
Thanks,
Jim Kelly
PS I am not giving up.
Hi Jim,
If you add your DNA test results to GEDMatch there are quite a few DNA matching projects you can join. Some are for different parts of Ireland or particular surnames. I have Kelly's in my family tree also (in Australia). They were from Birr, Kings County (now County Offaly). It is difficult to trace them - less common surnames are easier but worth persevering. Gedmatch offers more matching options and its possible to upload test kits from most if not all testing companies.
Hope this helps,
Nan