Re: Where did i come from
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In reply to:
Where did i come from
David Bates 8/30/07
David.Did you ever come up with any information on your parents/grandparents?Just so you will not get TOO discouraged, there are quite a few BATES family lines in the US with just about all of them eminating from England from 1628 thrugh the 1800's.I had the experience of trying to find my 4th great grandfather in South Carolina but with no indication, other than one sone born in York Co, SC, it was near impossible.Through perseverence and sheer stuborness we have finally found the family connection which then connects back to England and along the way have discovered, and talked with, numerous 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc cousins and not all of them with the BATES name.From that beginning, I was fortunate that I connected with another researcher, and have now posted over 80,000 individuals into my database that included quite a few spousal family lines.In another way you are fortunate in that today there is considerable data on a lot of web sites of which you have been advise of just two of them.And, do not forget the USGENWEB project which is both by state and county where you will be able to find information formerly only available by direct paper search, usually at the county courthouse or state storage facilities (dark & DUSTY).Another good place to check is the Bates Family of Old Virginia (BFOOV.org) and contact Whit BATES who is the one of their primaruy researchest and usually extremely healpful.A last place to turn is through BFOOV and join the DNA project which will give you lots of names of other BATES DNA doners that closely match your DNA profile.I would suggest at least the 37 marker test but no less than 25.Here, the more markers that can be matched with other the closer the "connection" with that person will be.The test is extremely simple, three cheek swabs that collect loose cells on the inside of your cheek, all on the same side please, and drop them into the mail for FDNA (Family DNA) and they will do the appropriate test and notify you of the results plus you can then notify Whit BATES and he can also down the results with be put in their database for comparisons also.FDNA will also notify you of all the close matches for each of several points (12/25/37) along with individuals, with web addresses, that are within 2-3 markers off matches.
One final place to contact.Find out where your local Genealogical Society meets and join with them.They would be about the best guide around for the beginner plus they will put you on the right track on WHAT AND HOW to source your findings.
Now, have fun in your search and hope to see you again, if not here, then possibly in the DNA matches.
BIll Bates