While the Baughan family DNA study has its roots in Virginia genealogical history, there is no particular reason for limiting the study to only those Baughan descendents with Virginia roots. This is a Y-chromosome study of the Baughan surname. The Y- chromosome is passed from father to son intact and unchanged, except to the extent that mutations occur. Geneticists can estimate with a reasonably high level of accuracy the rate at which mutations occur at the several different markers that are studied. This results in the ability to estimate the number of generations back to the Most Recent Common Ancestor between two people. The goals, as I envision them, are: - to determine whether a relationship exists between all Baughan descendents but especially those with Virginia roots - to determine the ancestral home of all Baughan study participants - to provide understanding about the ancient anthropological roots of the Baughan peoples