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From:
Subject: Piatt Surname DNA Project Sponsorship funds
Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 01:08:20 +0000

A message similar to the following will appear in a future issue of Piatt Family Photogravure. I present it here for those who may not see it and also to explain the purpose of the General Fund. There is a link to the general fund on the Piatt Public Page at FTDNA.

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It was with great hope and expectation that the Piatt Surname DNA Project began in December 2002. For several years a number of Piatt gentlemen researchers had met for the annual genealogical research conference feeling that surely they were related. However, the available documentation fell short of proving the feeling.

With the development of genetic testing for genealogical purposes, would science be able finally to answer the question of whether the gentlemen shared a common ancestor? The answer is an emphatic "Yes!" Of the particpants in the study to date, 12 of the gentlemen are 25/25 matches to each other. The implication is that these men share a common ancestor, with a 50 percent possibility that the common ancestor appears in the previous seven generations or so. In addition, three other participants are a 24/25 match, indicating a farther distance to the common ancestor. And another participant is a 23/25 match. Even though the gentlemen still do not have the documentation to prove their relationship to one another, the science says they, indeed, do share a common ancestor.

With the initial success of the study, it is expected that the study would be expanded to include other lines, such as those of John Pyott of Loudoun Co VA, Lewis Piatt of Adams Co OH, Stephen Piatt of OH, English or Scottish Pyotts, Canadian Piets and many others. Since there may not be descendants of these and other lines who are active in genealogical research, there has been discussion of seeking willing donors from these lines. With this discussion has arisen the idea of sponsorship of the testing of someone willing to donate a genetic sample but not willing or able to stand for the cost of the test.

Up until recently there was no General Fund for collection of sponsorship funds. Any sponsorships which have all ready occured were accomplished privately. Family Tree DNA, our testing company, has set up a method by which donations may be made to the Piatt Surname DNA Study General Fund. In fact, generous donors have already added funds to the account. At this time we would be able to fund one complete test or fund partially several tests.

When you look at the Piatt Public Page at the FTDNA website:

http://www.familytreedna.com/public/piatt

you will see the results of the DNA project to date. You will also see a link which will take you to the page where you may donate to the general fund if you wish. Donations may be made with your credit card directly to FTDNA, by PayPal to FTDNA, or by personal check to FTDNA. If you wish, you may send a check to me (made out to me) and I will transfer the donation to FTDNA's Piatt General Fund through my own credit card. If you donate yourself you have the option of being listed as a donor on the Piatt Public Page or of remaining anonymous. If I transfer funds through my credit card, the donations will be listed as anonymous for I am not the true donor in such case.

Donations to the Piatt Surname DNA Project General Fund are strictly voluntary. No one is expected to contribute. But it is a good way to further the good of the cause of Piatt research, enabling us to test lines which might not be obtainable otherwise. Thank you for your consideration.

Laverne Ingram Piatt
Piatt Surname DNA Study administrator

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