Ezekiel 1641<<John 1614 <<Alexander 1549 << John 1512
Many people believe the lineage above is correct. Some are
satisfied that others have "proven" and posted this and still others want more or different proof. Many say that these early Mayne men were in Devonshire, England in the 1500 & 1600s.
The Devon DNA project has these standards:
***PLEASE READ FIRST*** The Devon DNA project is a Y-DNA and mtDNA geographical project for everyone with a direct paternal or maternal ancestral line originating in the English county of Devon. The only requirement for joining the project is that PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE A DOCUMENTED PAPER TRAIL TO DEVON on the direct paternal line for the Y-DNA test or on the direct maternal line for the mtDNA test. There will be no exceptions. Please note that the project is not able to accept deep-rooted lines from America where the only connection with Devon is in the 1500s or 1600s. These pedigrees are prone to error and are very difficult to verify. There is also the possibility of a non-paternal event leading to the introduction of non-Devon DNA. If your surname is from an American line please find someone from an English line of more recent origin to represent the surname on your behalf.
This Y-DNA business has proven its value to me as for 60 plus years I thought I was Main whose heritage was probably German. When I got started with computerized genealogy I learned there was the possibility I could be a Stonington Main. I still can't find real paper proof years later but I have such strong matches with people who are Stonington Main/Maine/Maynes so I'm very comfortable saying that Y-DNA has proven I am one too.
Saying all that, my question is who knows of a male Main/Maine/Mayne that meets the standard to join the Devon DNA project who can and will prove or disprove the belief our ancestors did come from Devon.