Calling Munros for DNA samples

Sir – Can I say greetings to Munros in Scotland?

You all have something precious – the DNA of our ancestors.

During previous times of hardship in Scotland, members of earlier generations of your family left seeking to find a better way to provide for their families. Their descendants live all over the world.

For those interested in their heritage, research is easier as more records are placed on the Internet, but that only can be done when records exist. Sadly, many records have been destroyed for any number of reasons.

Consequently, many Munros are up against a brick wall and look to DNA research as a way to circumvent obstacles. The genealogy committee of the Clan Munro Association, USA inc. is actively seeking Scottish men to participate in the Munro DNA Project.

It is true that there are tests that Munro women can take, but for the purposes of a surname project, males carrying the Munro name are needed.

Money has been donated for ten Scottish Munros to participate on a first-come-first-served basis, so participating will be at no cost to you.

A test sample of DNA is taken by scraping the cheek with a little applicator. The privacy of each participant is respected. No information about living family members is expected, but it is paramount that the participant is open to sharing by e-mail what he knows about his heritage with those who are his perfect DNA match.

The project was begun in late 2001 and to date has over 130 participants who have taken the male Y-DNA test. They hail from Australia, Canada, England, France, Scotland and the United States. The test management company is Family Tree-DNA based in Houston, Texas. The actual testing of the DNA samples is done at the lab at the University of Arizona.

More information can be found at the Family Tree web site www.familytreedna.com

If interested, please contact me (mbardin731@comcast.net) and I will arrange for a test kit to be sent to you, postage paid.

Margaret Dorris Bardin,

4071 Young Street,

Pasadena, TX 77504,

USA.

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