There are two secondary goals in addition to establishing the genetic YDNA signature:

1)     For males only:Additional YDNA testing to track genetic mutations in YDNA to establish individual lines of descent, especially for those whose paper documentation is limited or missing. We are particularly interested in descendants of Joseph Linville of Chester and Berks counties, PA; descendants of all the sons of Thomas Linville of Conestoga, PA; Linville, VA; and Belews Creek, NC; and any Linvilles listed in “Miscellaneous” branches in Linville Family in Amercia (1982).  In addition to verifying the Linville lineage, additional Linville males in the project can help to distinguish between some branches of the family that have faster mutations in Y-DNA.

2)     For both females and males: Autosomal DNA ("Family Finder") to gather evidence of potential daughters and wives of Linvilles. To date we already have identified several potential connections where there is only speculative paper or oral evidence. It is particularly helpful if those who participate are among the oldest living Linvilles.

3)  For mtDNA results of direct line female descendants of unknown Linville wives.  Mothers pass on their mtDNA to all of their children, BUT only their daughters pass on the mtDNA to their children.  Sons     receive their mother’s mtDNA, but do NOT pass it down. The mtDNA test is separate from FamilyFinder and Y-0NA although all three can be run with the same sample.

     In order to gain some understanding of who the unknown wives of Linville were, we are interested in mtDNA tests of the direct female descendants, particularly from the wife or wives of Thomas Linvill (bc          1732 PA; dc 1817 TN).  He had three known daughters (a fourth is possible):

        Jane (Linville) Smith(bc 1754 SC/NC-d after 1 June 1850 Giles Co TN)

        Rebecca (Linville) Campbell (bc 1766 NC- d after 1850 Ray Co MO)

        Sybilla (Linville) Mynatt (bc 1778 NC – d 1852 Knox Co TN)

     We have identified and been in touch with a few presently living descendants from Sybilla to submit their mtDNA test results although to date,none has replied.   A free mtDNA/FamilyFinder test, paid by the      Linville project – is ready to be sent to the first such descendant who agrees to participate.  Please contact the project administrators.