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Archiver > GENEALOGY-DNA > 2002-08 > 1028455944


From: "Pieter J. Cramwinckel" <>
Subject: Re: [DNA] New surname project
Date: Sun, 4 Aug 2002 12:12:24 +0200
References: <185.c1a6f86.2a7e1531@aol.com>


Wade, from my own experience a few months ago, here are some points, others
will complement this, I hope
IMHO, there are 3 main issues in recruiting participants:
1. Costs
2. Fear for the unknown
3. Non- genealogical interest

1. could be solved easily if you were willing to finance all the test , or
if you find sponsors.
2. is far more difficult : privacy, fear of non-paternity or adoption
events, for unknown relationships, for 'what else do they do with my DNA'.
3. is a well known obstacle many genealogist encounter in their dealings
with (distant or not) family-members (hence you have experience with this).

Best is to
- prepare a short list of prospects , start small with 6-10 persons in
phase 11.
- take your time to prepare a careful drafted letter and explain clearly
what the test is al about, what portion of DNA is used and what the lab
does/does not do with the sample, privacy issue.
- be prepared to finance some key persons yourself or partly. . eventually
suggest half half, or find a sponsor
- explain and observe their right to privacy of results, hide their
identities when publicising and comparing results in website (a website will
be helpful o attract also other prospects in phase 2)
- start asking those who you know already by common research interest, or
cousins with whom you have good contact. Ask cousins to suggest other
cousins
- after sending the explanatory (e) mail, combined with telephone calls, you
might find this sequence of informing, asking and follow up can turn a few
hesitators towards participation.
- try to find out why a key prospect decided not to participate, asking
both probing and some leading questions can help you overcome the objection
- order some test kits yourself on invoice basis, and hand them out when
seeing prospects and ensure their active participation on the spot.
- be prepared to send 'hundreds' of emails for follow-up and new prospects.
- announce your family DNA project in mailing list, newsletters, internet
genealogical news users group for phase 2 recruitment.
- be aware some say yes but do nothing, very frustrating because you will
find spending much time on their follow up.

I should mention also that you should ask participants to provide you with
pedigrees, the deeper the better, but minimal 4 generations, if their
relationship to a common ancestor is not known to you.. but I presume you
know this

Time will help you:
- cost will go down over the next 5 years
- gradually more persons will be willing to participate, once the first
round is done (so called phase 1)
- your internet DNA page will eventually attract some additional candidates

wish you lots of success


----- Original Message -----
From: <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2002 7:27 AM
Subject: [DNA] New surname project


> Hi list,
>
> This may not be the correct forum for this but I'll plunge blindly ahead
> anyway. I'm trying to start a surname project for the names Glascock and
> Glasscock. I've talked to Bennett about this and he has been a huge help.
> Many of you are experienced in surname projects and I'd like any
suggestions
> you may have for "coercing" people to participate. Also if any of you
know
> any Glascock/Glasscocks could you put a bug in their ear for me?
> I won't take up too much time. Thanks.
>
> Wade Glascock
> Bartlett, Tennessee
>
>
> ==============================
> To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records,
go to:
> http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237
>

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