Weedman Family DNA Project
The use of
DNA analysis in genealogy is a relatively new but rapidly growing
feature in this field. We suggested at one of the Reunions that we
consider doing a Weedman family DNA project but, until recently, that
suggestion went unheeded. Bill and
Thea Weedman recently contacted us and advised they wanted to pursue DNA
testing. Here is what they said: “Thea and I
are thinking about taking DNA testing for both the paternal and maternal
sides (both for male and only maternal for female). There is an
excellent article in the November/December issue of AARP, The magazine.
If you do not receive the magazine, you can check out
www.aarpmagazine.org. There are several companies listed and we are
considering
www.familytreedna.com; we recall that you had written something
about the Weedman males participating in a project but have not been
able to find the information. On the Family Tree DNA web site, there is a
one member Weedman DNA participant, I don't know if this is you or some
one else.” That
prompted a deeper look into the possibility of DNA testing for
genealogical purposes and I am convinced this could be an excellent tool
in our pursuit of our ancestry.
Current Status: We currently have
six participants who have submitted their test and received results. Bill
Weedman, mentioned above, who lives in Encinitas, CA and Nick
Weedman of Flat Rock, NC have test results that are an exact match.
According to Family Tree DNA, if our 12 sites that were tested are a
perfect match (and they are) and if we share a common surname, it means
there is a 99.9% chance we share a common ancestor. Bill and Nick both
descend from Christian Weedman, Jr. and Christian is considered
our Most Recent Common Ancestor. Our haplotype indicates our origin was
in Northern Africa with a likely migration to Europe. Freeman Jesse
(Colonel Jim) Weedman of Omaha, Nebraska has been tested and matches the
results of Bill and Nick Weedman with a couple of minor
exceptions. Where exceptions were noted were on sites that have a tendency to
mutate thus giving minor variations in the results. Earl
Joseph Weedman, who descends from Philip William Weedman who
was the patriarch of what we often refer to as the Florida Weedman
line has also received his results. The test results do not match
with those of Bill and Nick Weedman. Accordingly, it appears we do not
share a common male ancestor for hundreds of years. As
disappointing as it was to learn that Earl Weedman's line and those of
Christian Weedman, Jr. don't share a common ancestor, learning this does
fulfill one of our objectives which was to learn in the Florida Weedman
line is related to the Christian Weedman, Sr. line. Robert Harold
Widmann of New York joined our group and the results of his tests show a
reasonably close match to those of Bill Weedman, Colonel Jim Weedman,
and Nick Weedman. It will take someone with greater knowledge of DNA
testing than we have to determine if the results match close enough to say there
is a relationship. Our analysis shows that the variations are again on sites
that tend to mutate. We are highly encouraged with these results and they
motivate us to pursue the Weedman/Widmann/Widman potential connections. The common
haplogroup of Robert Widmann, Bill Weedman, Colonel Jim Weedman and
Nick Weedman is E1b1b1. The haplogroup for Earl Joseph Weedman and
our sixth group member, Leon Weedman Myers of Tennessee, is R1b1a2. We are
extremely pleased with the initial participation and encourage more
family members to join. A larger data base will add credence to the
results of the project. One
of the 50+ matches shared by Bill Colonel Jim and Nick Weedman is Curtis Loftin who has created a web site that is
superb in explaining the basics of DNA testing and discusses the matches
we all share. To see his site,
click here. Here are
some objectives that could be pursued with such a project:
Determine if the Christian Weedman, Sr. line has any relationship with
the Florida Weedman line. We know where the Florida line
originated in Germany and if we establish there is a common male
ancestor within a reasonable number of generations, we might have a
better clue of our origins. The preliminary indication is there is no
recent relationship between the two lines as a result of the test
results from Earl Joseph Weedman.
Determine if the three apparent Swedish Weedman lines do indeed have a
common ancestor. We know there were apparently three brothers who
came to this country but proof they were siblings has not been
established. There may not be male descendants of each of the three
brothers but there are from two.
Determine if the Christian Weedman, Sr. line has a common male
ancestor with the Swedish lines.
Determine if the Widman(n) family and the Christian Weedman, Sr. lines
share a common male ancestor. If this proves correct, it may show
that the original spelling of our surname was in fact, Widman or
Widmann.
Determine if the Weidman family which has numerous connections in
Lancaster County, PA is closely related to the Christian Weedman, Sr.
family. Prove
the relationship between the lines of Philip Weedman, Sr. and Barnard
Wiedeman who arrived on the same ship (the Commerce) in 1803. We
are seeking a participant volunteer from the line of Barnard
Wiedeman. It should
be noted that we are unable to find where any of the Widman(n) or
Weidman family has done any testing and it will be a challenge to find
participants from those families. What is
the cost to participate? By having a
surname project, the following pricing
from FamilyTreeDNA will apply (you need to specify you are participating
in the Weedman Family DNA project:
12 marker Y-DNA*
test $99 + postage
12 to 37 Marker
Upgrade $99
25 Marker Y-DNA*
test $124 + postage
25 to 37 Marker
Upgrade $49
25 to 67 Marker
Upgrade $148
37 Marker Y-DNA*
test $149 + postage
67 Marker Y-DNA*
test $248 + postage Note this pricing applies only to FamilyTreeDNA
products and prices are subject to change. We highly recommend the 37
or 67 market kits for better accuracy. How do I participate? Go to
www.familytreedna.com and purchase a test kit from them. Be sure
to specify that you are part of the Weedman Family Tree DNA project. How can we follow results for the total project? Results will be posted on this page. We will not
have access to any information other than test results so hopefully
privacy is not an issue. Who do I contact for additional information? Contact Nick Weedman (click
here to send an e-mail) for information on the family project.
Contact Family Tree DNA (click
here to send them an e-mail) for resolution of technical quesions. This page was last updated on
February 03, 2013.
12 to 25 Marker Upgrade $49
12 to 67 Marker Upgrade $189
37 to 67 Marker Upgrade $99
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