Welcome to the Cowart ~ Coward ~ Cowherd DNA Surname Project
The Cowart-Coward-Cowherd family likely began with the name Cowherd in England. After immigrated to the U.S., some of the lineage
changed the name to Coward and/or Cowart. For example, my specific Cowart line began as Cowherd, then to Coward, and then to Cowart while living in Georgia relatively small family compared to
in the 1800's. Each family will have their own story, but the family is the same and shares a genetic code that name changes do not wipe away.
Purpose of the Project
This project was
begun in order to use science to provide
us answers regarding our ancestry and
the links among and between the various
lines of descent from the Cowart, Coward, and Cowherd's who ended up in the U.S. This research may also provide information
regarding links to ancestor's on foreign shores (such as England) and allow us to confirm family links,
disprove other links, and even discover links
we never knew existed!
The Project Basics
While both the
mother and the father of a child
pass down 50% of the genes each, it
is the fathers who pass down the Y
Chromosome and it is only the Y
Chromosome that passes from one
generation to the next (in males)
unchanged. For that reason, only
males can take part in the Surname
Project. But, women play a huge role
too (since I'm female, I can attest
to that). For example, it is not
uncommon that it is the women in a
family who initiate the DNA study of
the males in their line. For
females who are interested in the
Y-DNA result for their surname or
family tree, a close male relative
with that surname would need to
provide the sample (but you can sign
up for the testing yourself and make
a submission on behalf of a male
relative of the family line you are
researching).
Choosing
a DNA Test Type
DNA testing is
available for 12-67 markers - a marker is a gene on a known location on a chromosome and associated with a particular gene or trait. I have selected the 37 marker test for this group because
this is the test that seems to provide the
best information at the best price.
That is, 37 markers are needed to really
determine to which family branch an
individual belongs and to match the
right Cowart-Coward-Cowherd lines with
one another. Luckily, there is a
substantial discount on DNA testing for
all surname project members on all DNA
tests at
Family Tree DNA .
Become a Part of the Project!
Everyone is welcomed - whether your last name is Cowart, Coward, Cowherd, Smith, or Jones! The goal of this project, of course, is to compare the DNA of males in these line, but everyone in the family line can play a big role in obtaining those samples, analyzing the results, and working to complete an accurate Cowart-Coward-Cowherd family tree.
The first step is to get a DNA sample tested - luckily, that is very easy to do! First, you order a DNA kit from
Family Tree DNA. Once it arrives,
you just follow the simple directions in
the package and mail it back. Once it's
tested for the DNA (a few weeks
usually), Family Tree DNA returns the
results to you. You can use those
results to compare to other individuals
who have had their DNA tested (at Family
Tree DNA and other genealogy / DNA
sites).
Family Tree DNA is backed by the
Molecular Lab for Science and Evolution
at the University of Arizona, one of the
5 leading Y-chromosome universities in
the world. They are the
only Genetic Genealogy company supported
by one of these major Y-chromosome labs.
An Important
Note About Your Privacy: Family Tree DNA provides the option to participate in a group project in order to try to learn more by working with others who may share similar ancestry. If you choose to participate in a project the group administrator will be able to view your results and contact information so that he or she may best help members of the project learn about their ancestry. So that members can share information more easily a public website displaying member results is often created. At this project site, results will be listed by kit number and/or oldest known ancestor. It does not list personally identifying information. You may join or leave projects at any time after your results are posted at no charge.
Your unique test kit number will accompany your collection tube to the testing lab. The computer-generated number and your surname is the only information about you that the testing facility will see. Once your test has been completed the results of the Y-DNA (or mtDNA test, when women are tested or men are tested for maternal genes) will be entered in a secure database. A comparison between your specific genetic results and those of others in the database will then be performed.
If a genetic match is found between you and another person in the database and you have each signed the release form you will be informed via email.
If a genetic match is found between you and another individual who enters the DNA database at some time in the future, both will be given the information that a potential match is in the database provided that BOTH of you have signed the release form. Only if both parties agree will contact information concerning the separate parties be made available to the other party. In this way, all persons in the database will have the right to decide if they want to contact their genetic match(es).
Privacy and confidentiality will be strictly maintained.
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