Tapscott Project

Here is an update on the Tapscott Project at FamilyTreeDNA.

Most Tapscotts in the United States can be assigned to one of two major lines, one originating in Lancaster and Northumberland counties, Virginia, and the other, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. The progenitor of the Virginia Tapscotts was Henry Tapscott (Henry the Immigrant), born in 1685, probably in or near Somerset County, England, and emigrating as a teenager to Virginia in 1700 (1699 Julian calendar). The New Jersey Tapscotts possibly originated from William Tapscott (William the Rebel), a rebel in the Monmouth Rebellion, from Devon, England, who was transported as a prisoner to Jamaica around 1686 and is believed to have emigrated to New Jersey around 1691. Note, however, that the earliest documented New Jersey Tapscott was not William the Rebel but James Tapscott (b abt 1690) and William Tapscott (b 1718), believed (but not proven) to be descendants of the Rebel. Extensive genealogical research has been done on the Virginia Tapscotts, who later spread into North Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri. Less research has been done on the New Jersey Tapscotts, many of whom later ended up in Ohio.

Despite an abundance of classical (non-genetic) genealogical research, particularly for the Virginia group, many questions remain that seem insoluble using classical methods. Specific problems involve Tapscott groups who separated in England, in many cases before good records were available, to go to separate countries and separate U.S. regions. A major question is that male Tapscotts show close yDNA matches with persons having the name Bowling/Bolling/Bolin/Bolding. Could the split have occurred in England, possibly before last names became common. It is hoped that DNA testing will help answer some of these questions.

The Tapscott Project emphasizes y-DNA testing (tracing paternal ancestry) using STRs (short tandem repeats), but also considers autosomal test results. It is possible that mitochondrial studies will one day be included; however, the use of mtDNA to show Tapscott relationships would be, at best, difficult.

Below are listed the questions to be answered by the DNA studies of the Tapscott project.

Questions

1. Are the New Jersey/Ohio and Virginia Tapscotts related? (There is some belief that William Tapscott the Rebel may have been the father of Henry the Immigrant, or at least a close relative.)

2. Are one or both groups related to present-day Exmoor-area Tapscotts?

3. Are the U.S. Tapscotts related to the sizeable groups in both Canada and Australia

4. Classical genealogical research has shown three main branches of Virginia Tapscotts descended from the three sons of Henry the Immigrant--Edney, Capt. Henry, and James. Can we confirm this?

5. What is the connection between the Bowling/Bolling/Bolin/Bolding Family and the Tapscott Family?

Who Can Join the Tapscott Project?

Any descendent of a person having the Tapscott surname, or a variant thereof (e.g., Tabscott, Tapscot), is encouraged to join. In addition persons having close DNA matches with Tapscotts are also invited to join.

How Do I Get Started?

The following website provides information on joining the project. Tapscott - Background | FamilyTreeDNA