Burgess DNA Project
Report #19
Dear Cousins,
It's been awhile
since my last report. I was involved earlier this year in writing
another book (currently in press), and then began a major revision of
the Burgess DNA Project website in June, doubling the size of the two
Ancestral Families sections. These additions have recently been
uploaded, and can be now viewed at www.millefleurs.tv by clicking on the
"Burgess Genealogy" link. I'd very much appreciate any corrections or
updates you can provide on your own families.
The project has grown
substantially, now approaching some 200 participants worldwide. Each
revision of the website has taken more time and effort, as I try to
provide additional background material on each of the families
represented in the Project. For example, I worked for more than a month
this summer on just one line (the Thomas Burgess family of Orange and
Pittsylvania Cos., Virginia), since this was the least developed of the
large Burgess families in the Project. I'll continue to add background
information on the progenitors of the lines as I have time and energy,
citing as many sources as possible--but not all of the family groups
listed on the site have yet been thoroughly researched.
I encourage those of
you who haven't officially joined the Project (even if you've already
been tested by a company other than FT DNA) to please do so, and those
of you who haven't yet provided me with background data on your families
to send me what you have on your earliest known Burgess ancestor. Your
ancestral information helps other Burgess researchers establish a
context for your lines, and also encourages other participants to join
the Project. I also encourage all of our participants who can afford to
do so to enhance their records to at least 37 markers.
For those of you who
want to participate, Family Tree DNA usually offers a specially
discounted price for ordering tests in December. And, as before, if any
of you wish to join the Burgess DNA Project, but can't afford to do so
during these tough economic times, please write to me privately, and
we'll find the funds somewhere. Remember that we need individuals who
have a direct-male descent from the original progenitor of your line.
(Those of you who wish to contribute to our group support fund may do so
through FT DNA at
www.familytreedna.com/contribution.html; every dime we receive goes
towards funding DNA tests for other members of the group.)
I'm excited to tell
you that we have a number of major new matches.
At the head of the
list is the family of Joel Burgess of Bedford Co., Virginia, and Laurens
Co., South Carolina. A known descendant of this line joined the Project
early this year, and his results, when received, matched the numbers of
three other lines--a great outcome! Since Joel lived earlier in time
than the heads of the other three families, he may be the common
progenitor.
Descendants of Adam
Burgess of Dumfries Co., Scotland, and Joseph Drury Burgess of Sumter
Co., South Carolina (originally of County Antrim, Ireland) have matched.
The Scottish family is earlier in time, and may be the senior line here.
A descendant of James
Burgess of Sussex Co., England, has matched the representatives of two
New England families.
We also have our
first random match between two British lines, with descendants of
Francis Burgess of Berkshire Co. and Richard Burgess of Hertfordshire
Co., England, now shown to be part of the same family group.
The family of John
Burgess of Humphreys Co., Tennessee has been tentatively pushed back
another generation into North Carolina--and what we thought might be a
possible cognate line, the family of Austin "Auzy" Burgess of
neighboring Dickson Co., Tennessee, has actually matched separately with
the family group comprising Edward Burgess of Pittsylvania Co.,
Virginia, and William Burgess of Montgomery Co., Maryland. Sometimes NOT
finding a connection between two neighboring families is as important as
proving one.
We also many other
new matches with the larger Burgess family groups already represented in
the Project.
Family Tree DNA and
the genetic genealogical community did a major revision of the haplotype
charts twice during this year, in May and October--and in each case much
of the terminology of the groups was changed as many new sub-clades were
discovered, named, and announced. I was able to put the name changes
from the most recent (October) revision only into the two files that
list the Project Participants and Progenitors; the Ancestral Families
files still retain the terminology from the May revision, which itself
was much altered from before. If you want more detailed information,
please contact me privately. The changes remind us that much of the
science behind genetic genealogy is rapidly developing and altering,
with new tools and information becoming available at an ever-increasing
rate.
We have a number of
new tests currently pending, and some of these results will reveal new
connections and new affiliations. Thanks to everyone for your constant
encouragement, feedback, and support. It's much appreciated.
All best:
Michael Burgess
Burgess DNA Project Coordinator
