As I mentioned in my last entry, I requested a 37 marker Y-DNA test from Family DNA. I received the kit a matter of days later and completed the kit. The kit consisted of two mouth swabs and two viles to return the samples. You take one swab when you receive the kit and the second anytime 8 hours or more after you have taken the first sample. I returned both of the samples and received an email today that my kit has been received. According to the email, it will take six weeks for the sample to be processed. That means I should receive the results somewhere around the end of January or beginning of February.

Otherwise since the 11th of December, an additional 1,000 names have been added to the database. Most of them are Wheelers taken from The History of the Wheeler Family in America.

As the year winds down and we head into the holidays, I want to thank all of you for you assistance, contributions and encouragement. We have made tremendous strides during the last year and I expect as much progress in 2006 with such events as the NGS conference in Chicago in June and the Genealogy Cruise in October.

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Bill

Every week I listen to the Genealogy Guys Podcast. Several weeks ago (2 Oct 2005) they covered the subject of using DNA for genealogical research during an intervew with Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak. It was amazing to me not only how far the technology has become but also how many people are involved in using DNA to research their ancestors.

After hearing the podcast, I started to research whether there was project for the Wheeler family. I discovered the Wheeler DNA Surname Project. The intent of the project is to create a DNA database of those with the surname Wheeler for future use, determine genetic lineage of Wheeler ancestors and identify relationships with those in the project.

This weekend I requested to join the project and was accepted. I ordered the kit for the 37-market test which I expect to arrive in a matter of days. While I don't expect to receive the results until several weeks into the new year, I am looking forward to receiving the results. Until then, I look forward to looking over the results of other participants in the project.

Meanwhile, I discovered two other sources of Wheeler genealogy which I have been using as a means to identify other members in the Wheeler families. Currently there are approximately 12,250 individuals in the tree which I anticipate will grow before the end of the weekend.

Kind regards and happy searching!

Bill