Earl Project, Join?

[baby_earl]

Hi, I'm just starting out and would like to know if I should join a project. The name on my probate papers is Baby boy Earl...Is this the last name of one of my birth parents? If so I wouldn't know if it is father or mother, Should I order a test for both? And would it be better to wait to see the results before I join the Earl project? I know this is a lot of questions but I need any help to try to start. If anyone can help, please respond,
Brian

[manoss]

Hi Brian,

Regarding the probate records: I'd suspect the laws & local practices would vary according to state/county & the year you were born. There is an Adoption search group on Yahoo that may be able to provide more information "the registry".

In general.....it may be best to start with both the Y-DNA test (at least 37 markers I recommend) & the mtDNA test combined. The Y-DNA test may provide you with a surname based on others who have tested. However, depending on your genetic population, it may not help much. For example, my paternity is Ashkenazi Jewish, and I have ZERO consistent surnames on my Y-DNA test and only one match at 37 markers. None of them are my biological father's surname (I have an unofficial adoption).
The good news is you can drop in & out of projects as needed...so if you have reason to suspect EARL as a surname, go for it especially to get the project discount. The worst you find is that you may not be related. That's one surname out of the way then!
mtDNA does not really help w/surnames, but would still help to match you up with other ancestors.
Based on those results, then consider the FamilyFinder test, or other surname projects. Or you could do the FF at the same time if you're gung-ho.
I hope this helps. I wish you the best in your research. So many of us have the same questions. Be sure to keep us posted.

Hi, I'm just starting out and would like to know if I should join a project. The name on my probate papers is Baby boy Earl...Is this the last name of one of my birth parents? If so I wouldn't know if it is father or mother, Should I order a test for both? And would it be better to wait to see the results before I join the Earl project? I know this is a lot of questions but I need any help to try to start. If anyone can help, please respond,
Brian

[Jim Barrett]

Earl,

One reason for joining a project is to get the discount on Y-DNA test, assuming you are a male.

Also the support you can get from the project admin may be helpful. I believe there is an adoption project which would be a good place to start. After you get your Y-DNA results and see which surname(s) you match at 37 or 67 markers you can also join that surname project at no additional cost.

See https://www.familytreedna.com/group-...?Group=Adopted

[baby_earl]

Thanks

Thanks for the info, yes I am male adopted name is Brian Cox, from NY. I'm checking out all of the sites but will do the DNA first
Thanks again
Brian