The Eaton Families Association
DNA Project
2008

The Eaton Families Association has started a DNA project for all male Eaton family members. The following memo from Phil Converse (pconvers@umich.edu) is provided for anyone who might be interested in such a project:
Hi Eaton cousins:

Our Eaton DNA program is in its third year and has reviewed some 50 DNA samples. We have learned a lot, including the establishment of unique genetic signatures for a half-dozen Eaton lineages that have come to America, mostly in the Great Migration (1620-1640), but two of which are more recent. Additional samples are very welcome, not only from "Brick Wall" Eatons who would like to find wherethey fit in our Eaton lineages, but also from Eatons with clear paper trails back to the boat, who can get decisive validation of their pa per trails, while helping us solve more detailed historical issues about each lineage. Please view our latest The Eaton Families Association DNA Project press release for the most current information.

To start our Eaton DNA Project rolling, we have collected a mixture of cousins who have volunteered to give samples of Eaton DNA for our Y-chromosome test; plus a number of other cousins who would like to follow this effort as observers, some with an eye to joining at a later stage. Not all are EFA members, nor do they need be: we gratefully accept all the help we can get, including surrogates who can stand in for female Eatons and those of us whose fathers were not Eatons.

Now to the heart of the matter. We have decided to lodge this Eaton DNA Project with the FAMILY TREE DNA organization ("FTD"), but please note, neither I nor any of my EFA colleagues are directly involved with or will monetarily benefit from utilizing this site. This is not so much an endorsement, but rather a personal choice by The EFA. I urge all interested parties to visit the FTD web site at http://www.familytreedna.com for more information (such as group rates for an ongoing surname project) by entering the surname "Eaton." It is from these Eaton pages that volunteers will place their orders for kits either by phone or e-mail. Basically, those interested in volunteering will apply for DNA kits to take their cheek swab which are sent upon receipt of payment in Houston. The lab work takes about seven weeks.

The more definitive DNA patterns we can establish, the easier it will be to show patterns and connect lines on both sides of the pond, even if the DNA donor has only taken a 12-marker test.

I will act as Group Administrator for the Eaton DNA Project. My role will be that of an advisor, making suggestions with an eye to the biggest bang for the group as a whole. I will provide information and assistance to all test-takers and, hopefully, recruit enough volunteers to fill in missing geographics over time. As coordinator of this project, please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Please let me know you are interested so I may add you to my group project roster as well as work with you to further your individual interests.

Phil Converse
pconvers@umich.edu

UPDATE on DNA PROJECT

In the June EFA Newsletter, we set out a proposal for an Eaton DNA Project for all EFA Members to assess interest. Returns indicated that we have enough interested EFA Members to proceed, but it is now time to open the project parameters to include all eligible, interested Eaton descendants. To be eligible, it is necessary to be a patriarchal descending Eaton male. Unfortunately, maternal Eaton descendants will not be eligible. We are hoping that we can appeal to many of our Eaton cousins to join us in this worthwhile endeavor, but if you are not personally eligible, please pass the word along to anyone who might be. The more volunteers we have, the more valuable the comparative results will be in the end.

As mentioned earlier, the lab work will be done under the auspices of FAMILY TREE DNA ("FTD"). This is the largest outfit doing surname projects, and its lab work is done at a stellar DNA research operation at the University of Arizona, although FTD itself is located in Houston, TX. The FTD has a handsome web site at http://www.familytreedna.com and I recommend that anyone interested should visit for more information and rates.

Let me once again summarize the targets for this DNA excursion. The vast majority of our Eaton family in the US believes they are descended from one of six (6) Eaton lines whose founders came to these shores from England during the Great Migration (1620-1642). One of these founders, Theophilus Eaton, was the first governor of the New Haven colony, and his descendants returned to England, but did leave a trace of progeny here. The other five settled in New England. These include Francis of Mayflower fame; John who settled at Dedham, MA; William & Jonas Eaton of Reading, MA; and a second John, who settled at Salisbury and later Haverhill, MA.

We should first aim to establish a unique DNA fingerprint for these six (6) lines, but we are not keeping the project exclusive to their descendants. We are hoping to find distinctive "fingerprints" to suggest a common ancestor which would establish a pattern which identifies the two Reading patriarchs from Kent as brothers, and hence one line, not two. As the Dedham line also migrated about the same time from the shire of Kent, its descendants may also share a common ancestor with the Reading Eatons. Or it will finally dispel the idea by showing a greater genetic distance between the three Kent lines. This is, of course, one of the main reasons we proceed with such a project. There is also the possibility that these multiple lines will share a common ancestor in "deep time" and, this is certainly possible to determine with further DNA work and more extensive markers.

Meanwhile, establishing these "fingerprints" will prove of high value for anyone who has hit a "brick wall" in their research. By comparing the various DNA results with the signatures of the six Great Migration lines, we may be able to establish connections to otherwise deadends. We may determine where the Welsh Eaton contingency fits in, or from where our Irish or Canadian cousins descend. Even Eatons with southern roots in the US may find DNA commonalties with the New England branches or establish new lines amongst themselves. Looking at the big picture, we may even discover that in the end, we will have distinctive evidence tracing all Eaton descendents to our Robert de Eyton or to one of the Cheshire branches. But one step at a time. We currently lack DNA donors for the lines of Francis of the Mayflower and William of Reading.

DESCENDANTS OF BOTH FRANCIS & WILLIAM
-- TAKE NOTICE:

WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!

If you decide to volunteer for this project, you must first fill out the questionnaire and mail it to one of the addresses listed below. I will then respond with a set of instructions on how to proceed and keep you posted of any determinations. Basically, those being tested request kits to take their cheek swab directly from the FAMILY TREE DNA site either by phone or e-mail. Kits are then sent upon receipt of payment from FTD in Houston, which is also done electronically. The lab work takes approximately seven weeks, which means the first significant results for those who have already submitted their DNA will not be available until November.

If you are pondering whether or not to participate, please understand that there is no "train leaving the station" and we are not limiting volunteers to only US descendants. ANY male Eaton planning to get a DNA test at a later date should still get in touch with me. We can proceed at any time you want--even next year, but it will be nice to know in advance how to plan for future events.

I hope you will join us in this historical venture. The first step will be to fill out the questionnaire by clicking on the red light below and then returning it to me or our Web Editor, Barbara. I look forward to hearing from you very soon.

Phil Converse
Eaton DNA Group Administrator

DNA Press Release 2008

DNA Project Questionnaire
 
Home