A few weeks ago I was asked to research the potential for a mtDNA test project for female members of the Dunham-Donham-Dunnam lines. Mitochondrial DNA follows the maternal line. Males and females receive mtDNA from their mothers. Either a male or female could begin the mtDNA testing in order to follow the mother's lineage. However, mtDNA is not passed from the male.
I have not been able to find any such projects in existence. There seem to be at least two reasons: (1) difficulty in tracking the female line and (2) the fact that a much slower mutation rate for mtDNA results in a lower confidence level, increasing the chance of obtaining false positive results.
Having stated these things, I think it would be possible, although somewhat more difficult because there would be multiple lines to follow, to begin such a project.A person desiring to be tested needs to have a particular objective in mind as well as identified maternal relatives who would consent to be tested. I would think the objective would primarily be to prove or disprove a maternal relative whose maternal lineage cannot be documented through regular genealogical research - in essence, the same objective as the y-DNA testing for males. Of course, the testing would provide additional data for the databases and for future researchers.
The individual cost for mtDNA testing with FamilyTreeDNA is $219. If the person to be tested is part of the existing Dunham project, the cost of the additional test would be $100. In this case no additional sample would need to be provided. (The mtDNA testing would be started from the male relative.)
A group rate might be a possibility. However, since mtDNA testing is more difficult and no such rates have yet been established, I would have to negotiate a price with the company once I have confirmed interest from a number of persons. For our y-DNA testing the initial reduced cost was based upon the confirmed existence of a minimum of six participants. As is the case for the y-DNA project, I would want to add an additional $5 to assist with mailing and other project costs.
It should be well noted that the mtDNA testing will not be useful for confirming relationships in the Dunham-Donham-Dunnam male ancestry.
If persons are still interested in having me negotiate for a group price, I would need the following items initially:
Number of individuals to be tested ( these should be individuals who have agreed to be tested) and the maternal line which is being tested If there are a minimum of 6 interested individuals, I will proceed to negotiate a group price with FamilyTreeDNA.
Upon receiving a group rate it would be necessary to obtain some additional information for record keeping purposes, such as addresses, telephone numbers, etc.
I would expect to coordinate the activity in the same manner as the existing y-DNA project - receiving payments, ordering the test kits, tracking the process of the individual testing, etc. The current procedures can be viewed at the following web site: http://www.pcdunham.net/TestProject.html
Paul C. Dunham
I can be addressed in the following ways:
Mail: 465 Vigilante Drive, Helena, MT 59602-0234
E-mail: pcdunham@msn.com
Telephone: (406) 443-3283
Revised: 8/2/2003