DNA Family Surname Project

I am still making preliminary plans for a Tapscott Family Surname Project. Right now I am leaning toward a 67-marker test, though a 37 marker test  is also possible. I am also leaning toward Family Tree DNA to run the testing. But the cost is not insignificant, around $200, more or lesst depending on the number of markers. I hope I can get enough male Tapscotts to participate. There are several questions the DNA tests could answer or at least provide evidence for:

1. Provide evidence for the relation of U.S. Tapscotts to the Tapscotts of the Exmoor area of England.

2. The proof of continuous descent from Henry the Immigrant, particularly in those areas where there are still questions (e.g., the children of William Tapscott, son of Henry of Caswell).

3. The possibility of a male line from Henry the Immigrant to the mixed-race Tapscotts of Fauquier County, Virginia.

4. The origin of Robert Francis Tapscott, of Clarke County, Virginia

5. The genetic connection of the Virginia Tapscotts with the second large group of U.S. Tapscotts, who originated in New Jersey (some of whose descendants ended up in Ohio).

6. Genetic connections with U.S. Black Tapscotts, who may have been descendants of Tapscott slaves, particularly those originating in North Carolina and in Buckingham County, Virginia.

I am looking for comments and suggestions.

DNA match

Tracing the descendants of Henry of Caswell has led to a problem. There are primary and good secondary sources showing that William Tapscott, who fought in the Revolutionary War and who went to Kentucky was a son of Henry of Caswell. However, no good sources show who William's children are. It is assumed that Tapscotts who settled near William (Henry, William Stewart, George Rice, Richard, and Winifred) were his children, but there are no good sources naming these people. (From then on, things once more get easier.) Today, I obtained some good, though not great, evidence that at the very least Henry Tapscott (of Kentucky) and William Stewart Tapscott were brothers. An Ancestry.com DNA shows that a GGG Granddaughter of William Stewart Tapscott and I, a GG Grandson of Henry of Kentucky, have a 95 percent chance of being 4th to 6th cousins. Her genealogy and mine shows a relationship of 4th cousins, once removed. Now if I could only get past William, to Henry of Caswell for a dna match I would have evidence of William's children, not just that two Tapscotts believed to be his children are probably brothers. I have sent an email to William Stewart Tapscott's descendant with the DNA match.

Upcoming Ventures

I realize it's been a while, but I have been working on family history, primarily that of my wife. I am now slowly returning to the Tapscotts. For all practical purposes the second edition of my book, Henry the Immigrant, the First Tapscotts of Virginia, is completed. Now I just have to get it out. Watch this site for publication details.

My first new Tapscott venture is to trace the path of some of the descendants of Henry Tapscott of Caswell Co, NC as they travel through Green Co, KY and Barren Co, KY, (with possible sidetracks to Casey and Marion Counties in KY) to Allen Co., IN, and finally to Clark Co, IL. This will be the subject matter for a second book, unnamed as yet. The book may include all of the descendants of Henry of Caswell, in which case it may be very long, or just my own, who went to Clark County. This fall my wife and I will be tracing this trip by car, traveling back roads, in preparation for the writing of the book.

My second venture is to work on DNA tracing of Tapscotts. I plan to set up an internet site so that we can document the work. For a while, blogger may be the site, or possible it may be the Tapscott Times site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Tapscott_Times/ might be available, though I have not yet checked with John Fox, the moderator (who is a descendant of Henry Tapscott of Caswell). If anyone is interested in participating, post a note here. I have already done an autosomal study (results on Ancestry.com), but we really need a yDNA study to solve some questions.

DNA Testing

DNA really works. Based on my Ancestry.com DNA profile, I was able to locate a Shotts descendant of Cora Isabelle Tapscott and Richard Morgan Sweet of Clark County, Illinois, through their daughter Ruth Sweet, wife of Aaron R. Shotts. He was predicted from the Ancestry.com testing to be my 3rd cousin.  He is actually my second cousin once removed and the first personal contact I have had from the Shotts line. I realize that this has nothing to do directly with my book, Henry the Immigrant, but I may use this contact when I write my planned book on the Clark County Tapscotts.

I haven't died. I've just been spending all my time on the Wehner book instead of finalizing the Tapscott book as I should. I will get it done. Mary Frances and I are planning an extended trip to North Carolina and Kentucky next year for research on a second book, the descendants of William Tapscott, son of Edney (my line). Keep checking back here. I hope to say "it's finished and out" in the near future.

Still Alive

To let everyone know. I am still alive, just putting off publishing. I also received some DNA results that I want to look at though I do not expect anything in time for publication.

The second edition is essentially finished. Now I have to get it printed. Keep your eye on this blog to see the progress.