This project was organized and initiated in 2003 by Gary and Mark Childress.  It has grown over the ensuing period to well over 200 members, including those who have tested their paternal DNA (Y-DNA); maternal DNA (Mt-DNA) and autosomal DNA (FamilyFinder; both mother and father).  The primary focus of this project is the analyzation of results from the Y-DNA test using kits from FamilyTreeDNA in Houston, Texas in order to group individuals into "Matched Groups" that allow members to more easily conduct genealogical research with others who share their paternal line.

In January 2019 the administration of this Childers/Childress surname project was assumed by the same administration as that of the sub-project, the Childers/Childress James River Viking group which is the dominant Matched Group within this project. Over 85% of all Childers/Childress surname matches (including those whose Y-DNA match the backbone signature of the Viking Group of Childers/Childress) are descended from a genealogically recent common ancestor. The James River Viking group sub-project may be found at https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/childersress-james-riv/about.