Is your surname CRABTREE? Do you have you a relative or ancestor with the surname CRABTREE? If so, take a look at this DNA Project for our surname. We all have genetic links with someone, in fact with many people, and it may be that the link you are looking for is already a member of the CRABTREE DNA Project. This Project has been running for twelve years and the membership has steadily increased to its total of eighty eight today. As this number increases, an expanding number of genetic matches can be expected. There are already numerous matches between members that enable contacts between them to break down “brick walls” or to confirm suspected links. Participating provides an opportunity to uncover information not accessible in the paper records, which will help with your family history research. Also, as the project progresses, the results for the various family trees will provide information about the evolution of the surname. I want to stress, however, that while DNA analysis is not a substitute for doing the paper research, it is nevertheless a valuable extra arrow in your quiver. The y-DNA test tells you about your direct male line, namely your father, his father, and back in time. You must be male to take this test, and you will most probably have the Crabtree surname. However, if you believe there is a Crabtree or variant in your direct male line, although you have a different surname, you are also welcome to participate. If you are female, please find a male in your family tree to participate. I encourage males who take a y-DNA test to order 37 markers, if possible. A simple saliva sample is all that is required for the analysis to be done. If you order less markers, you can upgrade later, though this costs a little more. Both males and females may also be interested in learning about their direct female line, namely their mother, their mother's mother, and back in time. In this case, you would order an mt-DNA test. The testing company holding this Project is FamilyTreeDNA. Their website can be located at www.familytreedna.com where you will find a great deal of information about DNA projects in general, how to submit a test sample, the costs of the various tests, and how to interpret your the results. If you find any of this confusing, write to me at peter.crabtree@sympatico.ca and I will assist you through the process. The Crabtree surname in this DNA Project is also the focus of my Crabtree one-name study. Significant research and information about the surname, including its origins, dispersion and expansion over five centuries, can be found at www.crabtreefamilyhistory.ca I encourage you to participate in this Project and open new avenues for your family research. When you decide to join, make sure you state that you will be part of an ongoing project as this will get you a reduced rate for the tests. Have much fun and success in your researches !! Peter Crabtree Project Coordinator January 2019