Clan McAlister of America held their biennial gathering July 2000 in Norman, Oklahoma.  At the gathering, Robert D. McAlister of Provo, Utah, gave a very impressive presentation on genetic genealogy.  Wanda Shelton, newly elected chairperson of the CMA Genealogy Committee, became interested in proving that some of the McAlister descendants from Monroe County, TN shared a common ancestor.  A search began to find a DNA testing provider.  The President and CEO of Family Tree DNA, Bennett Greenspan provided the assistance and guidance in establishing the Family Tree DNA McAlister Project.

Six males with the McAlister surname were found to take the Y-DNA 12  test.  The six were descendants of McAlister kin of Monroe Co, TN. The test results proved the six McAlister's were a match with a common ancestor. 

As the number of FTDNA McAlister Project members increased, subgroups were formed based on the members' Y-DNA 12 results.  The sub-grouping was beneficial in connecting the lineage of McAlister families.

To take the DNA test and join the Family Tree DNA McAlister Project, just click the link JOIN in the Tartan Banner above.  If you have taken the Family Tree DNA test then login to your FTDNA account and click on the word Join under Projects.