Welcome to the Y-Chromosome DNA project for various spellings of the Shaffer surname. 

The Y chromosome is passed down from father to son unchanged, except for a mutation about every 500 generations.  The purpose of this project is to help Schaffer/Shaffer researchers to find out more about their ancestors, who they were and where they lived. 

The main objectives are to:

Identify relationships between various Schaffer families
Prove or disprove theories of descent
Solve brick walls
Determine geographic locations for further study
Validate existing research
Focus our research efforts

An example of how this technique might help:  You have a Schafer ancestor in Illinois who was born in Pennsylvania and can't find anything about him.  You research the other Shaffers, etc., in the vicinity, but come up with nothing definitive.   Two participants who have different Shaffer ancestors in that vicinity participate and find out either that they ARE or they are NOT related.  If they are, then you can continue to research the other branches to find out more about your own.  If they are not, you don't waste any more time researching a family that's not related.  Another possibility is you find out that your Illinois Shaffer is related to someone from Virginia. 

As administrator of the Shaffer Schaffer DNA project, we are using the Family Tree DNA test.  The cost for a kit is $99.  You will contact the laboratory yourself, but give which group you are in.  They will send you and the project administrator the results of any matches. 

As results come in, I will post the kit numbers with the earliest known ancestor associated with that number.  If some participants prove to be related, I will group those numbers together and provide helpful information for research as long as it does not violate the privacy of the participants. 
 

If you are interested in participating, please email me at gblankenau@email.msn.com.  This is not a hot link so I can cut down on the spam I receive, but feel free to cut and paste this into your address book.  I will be the project coordinator. 

The link for the Family Tree DNA project will answer many questions: 

For an example of an established project, please see the Walden DNA project at:  http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jswdna/waldenresults.html

Also the Blakely surname project at:  http://users2.ev1.net/~blakely52/Dna/DNA%20project.htm

This link provides a list of known surname projects on the web:  http://www.duerinck.com/surname.html

As soon as the project starts, I will update this page and add a results page.  This will have the kit number with the earliest known ancestor's name and places of residence.  I am looking forward to finding out more about our Shaffer families.