About us
This project emphasizes Y-Chromosome testing of males surnamed Franklin and variants, preferably at 37, 67 or 111 STR markers, and Big Y testing. The optimum use of Y-DNA testing is to check out a questionable paper trail. Flying blind occasionally does work and enough Franklin family groups have been identified that the chance of making a connection are fairly good. DNA testing has limitations. Predictions may be made of generations back to a common ancestor but they are given as a wide probable range. It is much easier to disprove a paper trail than to confirm one and, for this reason, at least the 37 marker Y-DNA test is recommended. We request male line pedigrees back to the most distant known ancestor. Surnames only, along with the most distant ancestor and kit number are used for identification on the public website. This helps encourage other Franklin and variants, men to test and join the project.
Females may order a test kit for Franklin or variant males who agree to submit a cheek scrape sample. MtDNA testing and the Family Finder application are also allowed for project members, however, owing to the many possible ancestral connections involved, while the administrators can provide input and assistance for these tests outside of the Y DNA testing, they do not get into the details of interpretation. This is up to the person testing and it is therefore recommended that your profile page include a gedcom file, family tree, or other family tree connections/links to assist in following up matching results. Adoptees who suspect Franklin or variants, connections and persons with surnames other than Franklin whose Y-DNA results match closely with project members are encouraged to join.
The DNA results, combined with genealogy research, hopefully will open some new windows for research on the Franklin surname. By joining the project, you are giving consent for your information to be anonymously included in ongoing genetic genealogy research. Your personal identity will not be revealed, but your results will be used to better understand the Franklin, a people and their ancestors.
Franklin DNA website: