2010 has been the year of genetic genealogy for Tynes researchers, and we have had three fascinating results so far. And it might not be over yet, because Family Tree DNA has a discount right now on Y-chromosome tests until the end of the year. If you have been thinking about getting your DNA tested, now might be the best time (see below).

Our results so far:

1. Our first tester was a descendant of the Robert Fleming Tynes line of Louisiana and adjacent states. He first tested 37 markers, but after things got interesting, he upgraded to a full 67-marker test. The more markers we test, the more accurate the results are.

2. Next came a member of the Isle of Wight County, Virginia, Tynes line (its Caucasian side). Comparing with our first tester, we found an exact match in 65 of the 67 markers -- meaning these two lines are connected in fairly recent historical times. How recent? With just two testers we can't pin it down precisely, but the most likely timeframe (using simple statistics) would put our common ancestor in the seventeenth century, just when the Tyneses of Bermuda were beginning to immigrate to America.

3. Then we got our first Scottish tester! A gentleman named THYNE with Scottish ancestry submitted a full 67-marker test. Since many Tynes families have stories about Scottish origins, and Thyne and Tynes are possible variants of the same name, here was a way to find out. The answer: The two families are not closely related at all -- not even in the same haplogroup. This doesn't mean we don't have Scottish origins too; it just means Tynes and Thyne are not the same family.

There are still many Tynes lines yet to be tested, and I hope at least one male with the Tynes surname will test from each line. We have the Isaac Tynes line of Missouri, the Robert Fisher Tynes line of Mississippi, the Tyneses of the Bahamas, those of Surry County, Virginia, and the various African-American Tynes families. If you are interested, or if you can persuade a male who bears the Tynes surname to take the test, go to this link:

http://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Tynes

to join the Tynes Group on Family Tree DNA. It's the Y-DNA37 and Y-DNA67 tests that will help delineate the history of the Tynes family. (Less than 37 markers is, in my opinion, a waste of money.) If you go there by Friday you'll get the discount.

Any questions, please E-mail me or ask here.

-- Mark James (Tynes DNA group administrator)
tmarkjames@yahoo.com