Free DNA Tests


It is possible to get a free DNA test whether or not you are able to make it to Back to Our Past. These tests are sponsored by Project Administrators who run specific projects at FTDNA (FamilyTreeDNA). Most of them are members of ISOGG (International Society of Genetic Genealogy). 

Have a look here to see if your surname is on the list. If it is, you can either come to the FTDNA stand at Back to Our Past and see if you qualify for the free test, or else you could contact the relevant Project Administrator privately to make enquiries and (if you qualify) they will arrange for the test to be sent to you in the post.

Free DNA Tests at Back to Our Past

The testing is carried out by FTDNA (FamilyTreeDNA) who are sponsoring the DNA Lectures at Back to Our Past and who have a stand at the event where you can have your DNA taken by a simple mouth swab. ISOGG volunteers will be on hand to offer advice on the various DNA tests available, answer any questions you have, and help you decide which test is most suitable to address your own particular situation. Then there is a simple form to fill out with your name, email address, contact details, and payment information. The swabbing takes two minutes - one minute for your left cheek, and one minute for your right cheek - and then you're done.

The sample will be shipped off to the lab and you will be sent an email as soon as it arrives there. You will also be emailed a password which you will use (together with your kit number) to access your results on your own personal webpage, provided by FTDNA. Your results will be posted here in about 6-10 weeks and again, you will receive an email when they have been posted. In the meantime you can explore the FTDNA Learning Centre and fill out your ancestry details on your personal webpage.


Free DNA Tests via Project Administrators directly

Certain Project Admins are willing to consider fully or partially sponsored DNA tests for people with specific surnames. These are detailed in the table on the ISOGG Free DNA Tests webpage. These free DNA tests are offered directly via the Project Admins or at genealogy events, like Back to Our Past, or Who Do You Think You Are, or Family History Shows.

Always check the ISOGG webpage for the most up-to-date list of surnames and the eligibility criteria. Usually this means that you will have to provide them with a copy of your family tree, or at least your direct male line, or a link to your online tree - the requirements vary from Admin to Admin. Anyone wishing to avail of the free sponsored DNA testing can check the eligibility criteria and make enquiries directly to the Admins concerned by consulting the table on the ISOGG website.  If the Admin judges you to be a suitable candidate, they will usually arrange for a test kit to be sent to you in the post. Then all you have to do is swab your cheek, stick it in the post in the envelope provided, and 6-10 weeks later you'll get your results.

Would you like to sponsor a test for someone else?

If you are a Project Administrator and would like to have your surname of interest added to the list, please leave a comment below with the specific details or email me directly by clicking here and I will add it to the list. Please use the same format as that on the ISOGG webpage or simply cut and paste from the fictional GLEESON example below:
Project NameName VariationsContact InformationRequirements
GLEESON


Gleason, Glisson, Glissane
For further details contact the Project Administrator at
http://www.familytreedna.com/public/GLEESON
to discuss eligibility and make arrangements for delivery of the DNA test kit.
A free Y-DNA-37 marker test is available for any GLEESON (or variant) who turns up at the FTDNA stand at BTOP or WDYTYA and can provide proven ancestry for at least 5 generations or prior to 1850, who lives in the UK or Ireland, and who is not closely related to anyone already in the project. This offer is on a first-come first-served basis.

Full details of Projects offering a free DNA test are on the ISOGG webpage at www.isogg.org/wiki/Free_DNA_tests

Contact the individual Project Administrator to see if you qualify for a free test. If you do, print out the email confirming you qualify and bring it to Back to Our Past and we will give you a free test and charge the fee to the relevant Project.

71 comments:

  1. I will sponsor anyone named Loughney getting a 37 market yDNA test. I can be reached at john.loughney@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. The R-L21 Plus Project at Family Tree DNA can sponsor one free 12-marker y-dna test. We can sponsor more if we get some contributions to our General Fund. To contribute, scroll to the bottom of the page at the link below and click on "click here" where it says, "To donate to the general fund please click here."

    http://www.familytreedna.com/public/R-L21/default.aspx

    ReplyDelete
  3. My KENNEDY DNA project at http://www.kennedydna.com will fully fund a Y-chromosome test for any male Irish O'KENNEDY/KENNEDY with a *rural* paper trail in Ireland. Kits will be sent out by me, not completed on the day. I can be contacted at the above website or at query@kennedydna.com.

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  4. From Jeanie Atkins:
    I run the BREWERTON DNA project at FTDNA. The variant is BRUERTON.
    I offer free Y-37 to any BRUERTON and to any BREWERTON whose line has less than 2 testees.
    If a Brewerton applied and I did not know his line then I would test him.
    I run a one-name study and know the family history of most Brewerton's in the UK but the USA is not as well researched due to lack of records on line.
    There are Irish families with both names so happy to be on the Irish site as well as the main site.
    Many thanks

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  5. From Donn Devine:

    Until the end of October 2013, one free Y-DNA-37 marker test is available for a DEVINE (or variant) who can provide ancestry for at least 5 generations or prior to 1850, with sources described, who lives in the UK or Ireland, and who is not closely related to anyone already in the project. This offer is on a first-come first-served basis and expires at the end of October 2013.

    For further details, see http://tinyurl.com/DevineProject or contact the Project Administrator at
    donndevine [at] aol.com to discuss eligibility and make arrangements for delivery of the DNA test kit.

    Eligible surname variants: Divine, Devin, Divin, DeVine, DeWine

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  6. Greg Flanagan is willing to sponsor a free Y-DNA -37 marker test for anyone called FLANAGAN or REANEY and who can provide proven ancestry for at least 5 generations or prior to 1850, who lives in the UK or Ireland, and who is not closely related to anyone already in either of his projects. This offer is on a first-come first-served basis. He is looking for county Mayo descendants specifically in the area of Killernan, Ardkill, Hollymount and Claremorris. For further details contact the Greg by email at flanagan2mayo [at] gmail.com to discuss eligibility and make arrangements for delivery of the DNA test kit.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This from Barbara Walker Good:

    Hi Maurice,
    Could you kindly post the following free offers from the Walker project. Thank you.
    Barbara

    FREE DNA TEST OFFERS
    Walker Surname DNA Project
    Contact poster or project administrator: Barbara Good, BWGood@aol.com

    Free DNA Test offer to a male participant descended from Isaac Newton Walker 1780-1840. Contact one of the project administrators with your pedigree showing direct male descent from Isaac.

    Funding is available to pay for a 37 marker y-dna test for any male Walker who can demonstrate lineal descent from Capt. Richard Walker (1611-1687) of Lynn, Massachusetts, through his son Shubael Walker (ca. 1639-1688/9) of Bradford, Massachusetts. Contact: Gene Walker, email: walker1637@comcast.net

    37 marker test available for proven descendant of “Indian Killer” JOHN WALKER of Blount Co., TN. Contact the project administrator if you qualify.

    I will pay for a 37 marker Y DNA test for a male Walker who can show his descent from RENELDER WALKER, of Knox Co/Whitley Co., KY, preferably through Jesse Walker and his wife, Margaret Bishop of Whitley Co., KY. All of Renelder's other sons went to Missouri in the early 1800s. CONTACT: scperkins@gmail.com

    If you are descended from WILLIAM WALKER of Eastham, Barnstable, Mass., born 1620 in Southwark, Surrey, England, we have an offer to pay for a 25 marker test, for anyone who can document his ancestry back to the Walkers of Eastham. Contact one of the volunteer administrators for information: BWGood@aol.com or walkerrs15@comcast.net

    From Janis: email contact: rajanisg@earthlink.net: I'd like to offer to pay for YDNA testing for male descendants of:

    Samuel Allen Walker, b. abt 1785 VA, d. after 1860, probably in Nebraska. Lived in Macoupin County, Illinois, and Rock Island County, Illinois. Married 1) Unknown and 2) Nancy Thompson
    Jacob Walker, b. abt 1793 GA, d. March 1855 Macoupin Co IL. Married Agnes McLean.
    Phillip V. Walker, b. abt 1812 TN, d. abt 1865, Macoupin Co IL. Married Francis Best.
    John L. Walker, b. abt 1811 TN, d. after 1880. Lived in Macoupin Co IL. Married 1) Elizabeth Scroggins and 2) Lavina
    Elijah Walker, b. abt 1817 TN, d. after 1850, possibly in El Dorado Co CA (never went home to IL--perhaps simply deserted his wife and has descendants in CA?] Married Charity Dove.
    John M. Walker, b. 1814, Dickson Co TN, d. 1884 Macoupin Co IL. Married 1) Dinah Moore and 2) Harriet Gaskill.
    James Walker, b abt 1818 TN, d. 1872, Macoupin Co IL. Married Mary Bentley.
    Archalaus C. Walker, b. abt 1819 KY, d. 1887 Barton Co MO. Married 1) Mary Sawyer and 2) Elizabeth
    Aaron Walker, b. abt 1819 KY, d. March 1880, Macoupin Co IL. Married Nancy A. Best.
    Jacob Walker, b. abt 1822 TN, d. after 1870. Married Martha Ann Spence.
    Joseph Walker, b. abt 1823 TN, d. after 1880, probably in Macoupin Co IL. Married Barbara Weincil/Wentzel.
    Samuel A. Walker, b. abt 1832 IL, d after 1910. Married Eliza Ann Ward. Lived in Macoupin County, Illinois.

    Barbara Walker Good BWGood@aol.com
    Walker Surname DNA Project
    Family Tree DNA - Walker Surname DNA Project Results (Main Page)
    Family Tree DNA - Walker Surname DNA Project Results (Y-DNA Results Chart)
    Family Tree DNA - Walker Surname DNA Project Results (Pedigrees)

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  8. I just added Barton at ISOGG. I hope you will keep updating your blog. Terry

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  9. MORGAN males from Co. Galway or Co. Roscommon. I can sponsor a 37 marker YDNA test for a male with surname MORGAN from northern Co. Galway or Co. Roscommon after review of family history. Please contact me at art.morgan+dna [at] gmail.com if you are interested or have any leads.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Free DNA Tests:

    [Project Name] BNL_dna

    [Name Variations] Bonnell, Bunnell, Burnell, Bonell, Bunell, ...

    [Contact Information] Contact Project Administrators listed at http://www.ftdna.com/public/BNL_dna

    [Requirements] Free initial 12-marker Y-DNA test for MALES with documented ancestry of several generations of subject surnames in UK and Western Europe areas (Reviewed on a case-by-case basis).

    =
    Steven Bonnell, Admin of BNL_dna Surname Project
    BNL_dna@kbsb.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. GORMLEY males from Co. Tyrone.
    I can sponsor a 37 marker yDNA test for a male with the surname GORMLEY with a documented family history from County Tyrone dating back to at least mid-1800s. Interested parties can contact me at dorothysnyder (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Im after anyone doing DNA for the O'Rourke and Johnston/Johnson line. If anyone can help that would be absolutely fantastic
    Thanks in advance
    Lee Johnston.. lkjohnston@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Lee, check out the O'Rourke project at http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Orourke and the Johnson project at http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Johnson

      Delete
  13. Anyone have a McHale and/or Scuffle project?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, there is! Check out http://www.familytreedna.com/public/McHale/default.aspx and http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Schofield (Scuffle is a variant of Schofield).

      Delete
  14. Please add the surname Callaghan/O'Callaghan to the free Y-DNA tests. I'll pay for up to two unrelated males.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nathan
      I take it you are sponsoring up to two Y-DNA-37 marker tests? Do you have any stipulations about ancestry, etc? And please could you leave your contact details by way of a reply to this so that people can contact you directly to discuss if they qualify and how the kit will be delivered?
      Many thanks
      Maurice

      Delete
    2. The only stipulation is unrelated males; request as many generations of their paternal lineage they can provide. I'll pay for the test(s) via the Callahan Surname Project's general fund. They can swab there (if kits are available) or order one on invoice, join the project, and e-mail the kit number(s) to nmachula AT gmail DOT com.

      Delete
    3. My husband is Noel O'Callaghan, we can trace his family 4 generations before him, the story is that 4 O'Callaghan brothers left O'Callaghan Mills in Co Clare, & came to Co Cavan, when we do not know. we can be contacted at ocallaghan.carmel@gmail.com.

      Delete
    4. Nathan, I never heard anything more, did you get your 2 unrelated O'Callaghans. Regards Carmel

      Delete
  15. We would be prepared to sponsor any Swan(n) with documented ancestry to Ireland before the 1901 Census. This would be for a 37 marker DNA test. Details of the Swan(n) DNA Project are on the FTDNA website. There are approximately 900 individuals with these surnames in the 1901 Census of Ireland.

    We would also sponsor any Picton who appeared, but based on the surname's origins this would be unlikely.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Would like to know if there is free DNA testing for Naish/Nash line? Ballynash and Ballycullen town lands? Dawn
    We were salmon fishermen on the River Shannon. Have diary.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dawn, there is no NASH on the list of sponsored tests. However, there is a NASH DNA project ongoing at http://www.familytreedna.com/public/nash. You may want to check it out.

      Delete
    2. Hi Dawn,
      Any mention of Maleys or Greenes in that diary? Good luck on your project!
      Melody
      mamasi@comcast.net

      Delete
  17. I am sponsoring the Roberts surname kits (up to three 37 marker test kits). If someone gets a free sponsored Roberts surname test kit, they do need to join the Roberts Surname Project at FTDNA. Thanks,

    Wayne Roberts

    ReplyDelete
  18. Le Gall FTDNA Project

    Hi Maurice, would you be kind to add the following surnames (AR GALL and ARGALL) in the name variations section. Thanks. Joss.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi All,
    I'd like to add a free 37 marker ftdna test for any male Kelly that has proven roots in Donaghmoyne Parish County Monaghan.

    Also a free 12 step ftdna for any male Kelly with roots going back to the 1830's to 1860's in Carrickmacross, Monaghan area.

    I can be contacted at jimk@targettrans.com

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  20. Anything on the McVey name from County Tyrone.cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nothing on the list I'm afraid. But you might want to contact the Admin for the McBee surname study at FTDNA - they have several McVey's in the project - http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=McBee

      Delete
    2. Hi Ian, Just wondering if you have tested? my son tested out to 111, and matched a chap in the USA ( a McVEY ) Y107 out of Y111, they are definately cousins, albiet about 8th?!!! But all the way both sides of the Atlantic? They are both in the DURFEE project, with FTDNA, you may like to join that .

      Delete
  21. Congratulations to Ms Guy from Cork - she is the winner of our first Prize Draw for a Free DNA Test to be given out at the FTDNA stand at Back to Our Past. If you are attending the event, be sure to enter for a chance of winning.

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  22. Anyone doing "Park/Parke/Parkes" ; Casey; or Kane (aka de Caen)?
    wbpark@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  23. i have got family name...heath...flannighan...and simon...i was born in jamaica but live in the uk most of my life and i have often hear in my family that we have got irish and scottish decendants..would like a dna to prove this...any sponsers...my email is simonia585@gmail.com...thank u...

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  24. Is there any place that is researching the wilson or cheeseboro last names.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Dennis, the Wilson name is being researched at the Wilson DNA Project at FTDNA (https://www.familytreedna.com/public/wilson). Also, although there are three Cheesbrough's in the FTDNA database (https://www.familytreedna.com/surname-search-results.aspx?sType=cn&Searchname2=chees), the only project that comes close to the name is the Cheese DNA Project (https://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/cheese/order). You could contact the Project Administrators for further information. Hope this helps.

      Delete
    2. Hello Dennis. Jusgt found your message, which has been up for a long time. I have probably the oldest documented Wilson ancestral line, and can trace my ancestor to the 15th century, before that records are scance but oral testimony is proven by the location. It would be helpful if you knew were your Wilson ancestor originated.

      Delete
  25. Hi. Is there any Tobin research group ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Daniel, there is a Tobin Surname Project which currently has 25 members and there are 38 Tobin's in the FTDNA database in total. You can read more about the project here ...
      - https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Tobin
      - http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/tobin

      Delete
  26. Good Afternoon,
    Is there a Carroll Research group?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There is indeed Chrissy. If you google FTDNA Carroll you will find this page - https://www.familytreedna.com/public/carroll/ ... The project does not currently advertise any free testing but there is no harm in contacting the Project Administrators and asking them. If you have an interesting pedigree they may very well offer you a free test. Good luck! :-)

      Delete
  27. hi
    was researching my family tree and wondered if theres any for "mateer"...i have traced my tree back to about 1780 in ireland....co.down to be more exact..if there is please could you let me know..the name mateer has a few spellings....mcateer/matier etc
    email me (if allowed) alan.mateer@hotmail.co.uk

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alan, there are 2 projects that contain the name Mateer but I don't think they are offering any free DNA tests. However, you could always contact the Project Admin and ask for advice (Barry McCain, failte@ulsterheritage.com). Here are the links ...
      - https://www.familytreedna.com/public/scots-irish/
      - https://www.familytreedna.com/public/ulster/

      Delete
    2. hi
      many thanks for the links and the quick reply...will certainly look at those sites

      alan

      Delete
  28. Any being done for Gaffney, McHugh, Breslin, McAndrew, Mullane?

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Amy, here is some info which may help:

    Gaffney - no specific project but there are Gaffney's in the Breifne Clans project at https://www.familytreedna.com/public/BreifneClans/

    McHugh - there is a project. You can join here - https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=McHugh

    Breslin - there are only 8 Breslin's in the FTDNA database and they are in various projects. Check here - https://www.familytreedna.com/surname-search-results.aspx?sType=eq&Searchname2=breslin

    McAndrew - 10 McAndrew's and a McAndrew project (only 1 member) - check here ... https://www.familytreedna.com/surname-search-results.aspx?sType=eq&Searchname2=mcandrew

    Mullane - 3 Mullane's, no project - https://www.familytreedna.com/surname-search-results.aspx?sType=eq&Searchname2=mullane


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  30. Any being done on Graham or MacFaddin or possible McFaddin. My third great grandfather came from Ireland and was born in Ireland in 1795.

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  31. I have some corrections to my earlier post and additional information to add. My third great grandfather was born in 1785 and he married Isabelle Mary McCloy who also was born in Ireland in 1785. His father married a McFaddin or MacFaddin.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi, I am a MacKinnon descendant, Glendale, Isle of Skye and read a recent article that the MacKinnons have the same dna as the O'Neils in Ireland, are you aware of where I could find out more? I know the MacKinnons came from Ireland to Iona...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Check out the O'Neill projects on FTDNA and write to the Project Admins - they should be able to advise you further:
      - https://www.familytreedna.com/public/oneill
      - https://www.familytreedna.com/public/neal-2/
      - oneillsofpuertorico.blogspot.com/2011/09/oneill-dna-agenda.html
      - www.jogg.info/22/ONeill.pdf
      - https://www.familytreedna.com/public/CenelEoghainy-dnaproject/default.aspx

      Delete
  33. Any for McCoy, O'dell, Collins, Anderson? Please email me at

    mrs.anderson92014@gmail.com...thank you

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  34. Hello:

    Any sponsorship's for: Hill, Stancliff, Fisette?
    Thank You!

    joshuahill_77@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. If anyone wants to sponsor me, I'll give a sample of Wilson dna. My line takes is Scottish ancestry, but it is claimed that many Irish Wilson's are younger branches of my line. This came about after the Bishop Wars, when many Wilson's fled SW Scotland. I am a Scots armiger, with a tree back to the an ancestor living on the Nith, Ayrshire in the 15th century. Before that, it is in oral testimony, and the line is Wilson of Croglin. My dna would be the line to Croglin, if anyone is interested, and would be of interest to Scots, Irish and Americans alike.

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  36. If there is any Halloran with County Mayo roots and can provide their ancestry back to a great grandfather and/or before 1850, I will sponsor their Y-37 DNA test. I have a Halloran surname project here. https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/halloran/about/background
    And, my email is hollarnj@cs.com. Jim

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi, I am looking for or wish to start a Winston family DNA project. Started in Wales and moved around UK and Wales and at some point came to Ireland. there is I believe two original families in Ireland but unsure as to which line they belong to in Wales. Associated families may be De Laci/y Fitzgeralds Nugents here. I am confused about some members requesting 12 marker volunteers. I want to pay for the eldest member of the known Winston family in the west of Ireland,he is 94, for a 37 marker test. Also I know of one Winston test in UK. rEGARDS
    jO

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  38. Sorry should have left my contact details jowbaker14@gmail.com

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  39. Are there any of these projects for the Teal or Slater names?

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  40. Also looking for the surname Locke or any variation of the name.

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  41. Looking for surname Strange or any variation of the name

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  42. is there any free dna tests for maternal surname young and paternal surname wickham? please contact me on maxaiden@hotmail.co.uk thanks alot

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  43. Kirkpatrick? 1wgkirkpatrick@gmail.com

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  44. Kirkpatrick? 1wgkirkpatrick@gmail.com

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  45. Hi there, any free dna testsfor the following

    maternal: Stevenson
    Grandfather:Stevenson
    Grandma:Noble

    Paternal:Brosnan
    Grandfather Brosnan
    Grandma McDonald

    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi there, any free dna testsfor the following

    maternal: Stevenson
    Grandfather:Stevenson
    Grandma:Noble

    Paternal:Brosnan
    Grandfather Brosnan
    Grandma McDonald

    ReplyDelete
  47. HAS ANYONE TAKEN A LOOK AT THE SURNAME 'FANNIEL'? I found it on an Irish surname site spelled exactly as written and I'm interested in finding out more regarding it.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Until the end of February 2018, one free Y-DNA-37 marker test is available for a FREW (or variant) who can provide ancestry for at least 5 generations or prior to 1850, with sources described, who lives in the UK or Ireland, and who is not closely related to anyone already in the project. This offer is on a first-come first-served basis and expires at the end of February 2018.

    For further details, see https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Frew or contact the Project Administrator at
    jwrourke [at] yahoo.com to discuss eligibility and make arrangements for delivery of the DNA test kit.

    Eligible surname variants: Frew, Frow, Frue, Threw

    ReplyDelete
  49. Looking for Wilson and Laird - Ballyeaston. early 1800s. bellbirda@gmail.com Thanks. Ann (Australia)

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  50. Looking for Wilson and Laird Ballyeaston. c 1800 - 1840/50s. Thanks Ann. (Australia)

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