17th Century

You qualify for the study if you can trace your family genealogy to the 17th century colonies of Virginia, Maryland, or Delaware. To verify this, we will need to see a copy of your family tree, any accompanying historical documents, or hear your oral history which strongly identifies your 17th century Chesapeake ancestor(s).

Yes, you will be asked to pay $25 to run the GenoChip 2.0 genetic ancestry test. This is a discounted price offered to participants in this study. We will collect your DNA and send it to Family Tree DNA to be run on the GenoChip 2.0 for you, and you will receive your personal GenoChip 2.0 test results when they are generated.

The GenoChip 2.0 is a genetic ancestry test developed by National Geographic and Family Tree DNA which focuses exclusively on your personal ancestry by looking at over 750,000 markers in your genome to figure out where your ancestors came from. Both your Y-chromosome, mtDNA, and autosomal DNA will be tested to get the most detailed results. The test does not look at medical information to protect your privacy. A link to learn more about the Frequently Asked Questions about the GenoChip and the Genographic Project can be found here: https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/faq/participation-testing-results/ A link to the description of the test can be found here: https://shop.nationalgeographic.com/product/genographic-2.0-kits/geno-2.0-next-generation-genographic-helix-dna-ancestry-kit--u.s.-delivery

At the time of DNA sampling, you will be given a randomly generated alphanumeric code, or Genographic Project Identification Number (GPID), which can be used to retrieve your results and accompanying explanation from the Genographic Project’s secure website: https://genographic.nationalgeographic.com/results/register A notification that your results have been generated will be posted on the study website and sent to you via your contact information provided on the family history forms. We expect that these results will take a couple of months to generate, depending on Family Tree DNA.

One DNA sample will be sent Family Tree DNA to be run on GenoChip 2.0 genetic ancestry test. The other sample will be taken to the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Anthropology Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology for backup in case of error when running your first sample. Both laboratories are secured facilities, and at the end of the study, all DNA samples will be destroyed to protect your privacy. Your DNA will not be used for any other purposes other than this study. At the end of the study, your de-identified results will be published in academic research publications about the genetic diversity of the Chesapeake area and deposited in the National Geographic’s Genographic Project database. This database may be used by other researchers to look at genetic diversity and human migration. Researchers wishing to use these data will have to apply for access and agree to security terms through the Genographic Project. No personal or identifying data will be deposited into the Genographic Project database to protect your privacy.

During DNA sampling, you will be given a randomly generated alphanumeric code, or Genographic Project Identification Number (GPID), which will be used to identify your DNA sample. Your name will not be on the DNA sample, and only you and the study researchers will have access to this code. The genetic data, GPID identifier, consent forms, and family history forms will be kept in a locked file and electronically maintained on password-protected computers at the University of Pennsylvania Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology to ensure participant privacy. Only persons directly affiliated with the project will have access to the samples and identification numbers.