Descendants of George Zimmerman

Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project

The bottom line here is that we encourage all male members of the Carpenter Family who bear the Carpenter surname, and are direct descendants of George Zimmerman to participate in the Y-DNA Family Tree DNA Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project. This will help prove the genetic link to our common ancestor, and eventually to our European ancestors as well. You can scroll down now if you would like to read more information on that project now.

You can also read announcements about the YDNA project on our home page. Look for the link at the top of the announcements labeled "YDNA only" to filter the announcements.

To participate in the project, you can join the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project.
(Important: Remember to select the Y-DNA 25 Male 25 marker paternal test)
Go there now: http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=S82066

For more information about the study you can learn the basics about Family Tree DNA before you sign up. If you still have questions, please contact the group coordinator for the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project: John R. Carpenter.

More Information about DNA and Genealogy

For a good overview of this topic, you can read or listen to the McNeil Leherer News Hour report:

Online NewsHour: Report | DNA Technology Clarifies Ancestry | July 20, 2006 | PBS
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/science/july-dec06/ancestry_07-20.htm
MP3 Audio: 20060720_dna28.mp3
"DNA Kits Provide Insight into Genetic Ancestry
With advances in DNA technology, researchers are learning more about the origins and diversity of humans, allowing companies to offer DNA test kits and analysis for people who want to learn more about their ancestry."

The bottom line is that this testing will get more reliable as more testing is done all over the world and as DNA databases get larger. This will allow for a greater cross comparison to narrow down the heritage of the participants. Another good site to learn more about genetics and about how DNA is being studied to identify human migration on a global scale, you can check out the National Geographic Genographic project.

The Genographic Project
https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/about.html
"The National Geographic Society, IBM, geneticist Spencer Wells, and the Waitt Family Foundation have launched the Genographic Project, a five-year effort to understand the human journey—where we came from and how we got to where we live today. This unprecedented effort will map humanity's genetic journey through the ages."

Family Tree DNA provides the actual test kits for The Genographic Project, which is a totally separate project from the Carpenter surname project. Participation in any DNA project is voluntary, and you decide what you want done with your DNA.

For more information on the Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project, read this framed information. After reading the introductory material in this frame, you may wish to open this website in a separate browser window later: Carpenter Cousins Y-DNA Project Homepage