Ralston Surname Project Goals

The primary focus of the Ralston Surname Project is to help those who have completed a yDNA test at FTDNA and believe they have a patrilineal (father’s father) descent from a Ralston (or variants such as Raulston, Rolston, Roulston, etc.) family.

Because there are relatively few Ralstons in the world, as compared to other surnames that arose in the UK, it may eventually be possible to trace them all, with the help of yDNA, and as more historical records are digitized and made available online.

Project Objectives:

1. Help members interpret their yDNA results and advise when additional testing may provide further insights.
2. Identify subgroups that can support deeper genealogical research.
3. Facilitate connections between members who have matching yDNA.
4. Explore the ancient origins of the Ralston family.

Cautionary Notes on yDNA Testing

What yDNA Testing Can Do:

• Help test a genealogical hypothesis.
• Confirm patrilineal ancestry.
• Reveal the possibility of recent non-paternity events (NPEs).
• Uncover unexpected information that may require further investigation.

What yDNA Testing Cannot Do:

• Solve genealogical "brick walls" without additional research.
• Replace the need for traditional family tree documentation.
• Serve as definitive proof of a distant relationship without supporting evidence.

Keep in mind that a single DNA test is unlikely to answer all your questions. Each result may prompt new questions and require further testing, either by you or your relatives. Part of the Ralston Surname Project's mission is to guide you toward the most productive "next step" in your research, which may involve additional yDNA testing.

Project Considerations and Guidelines

• Volunteer-Run: The project administrators are volunteers with no affiliation to DNA testing vendors, and they receive no special benefits from them.
• Public Nature: This is a public project. The more participants who contribute and share their information, the more we can all learn. By joining, you agree to make your surname, ancestral information, and DNA results public, and these cannot be fully retracted. We do not publish your full name or contact details.
• Long-Term Focus: The project is intended to serve as a lasting record, providing a foundation for future generations. We encourage all members to designate a beneficiary to access their account in the event of their passing. To do so, log in to your FTDNA account, go to "Account Settings," and select the "Beneficiary Information" tab, where you can provide your chosen contact's details.

Thank you for your participation and for helping to build the Ralston family history for generations to come!