Bragg DNA Project

Bragg DNA Project

Results are in! -- click here

Description: The purpose of this project is to attempt to show that various branches of families with the Bragg surname are related to each other.

Who can submit DNA? Any male with the Bragg surname. The DNA test (used by Family Tree DNA) tests the Y-chromosome which is passed down from father-to-son-to-grandson, etc. A man (having XY chromosomes) receives his Y chromosome from his father and the X chromosome from his mother while a woman (having XX chromosomes) receives a X chromosome from each parent. Women are still able to participate if they can get a male Bragg cousin (or father or uncle) in their family tree to submit his DNA.

Who does the testing? FamilyTreeDNA (http://www.familytreedna.com) is a genetic testing company that is based in Houston, TX. (The actual testing is performed by researchers at the University of Arizona.)

Why should I participate? The more Bragg men that are tested, the more accurate the results will be. Also, if you�ve hit a brick wall in your genealogy research, DNA testing may help. The DNA test may not tell exactly how someone is related to another person, but it may indicate that there is a family connection.

What test do I need to take, and how much does it cost? Currently, there are 3 Y-DNA tests available. They are the 12 marker test, the 25 marker test, and the 37 marker test. Family Tree DNA recommends starting out with the 12 marker test. 12 markers are sufficent to determine whether or not two participants are related genetically. Using more markers reduces the time frame of the common Bragg ancestor between matching people. The common ancestor is also known as the MRCA (Most Recent Common Ancestor).

The pricing is as follows:
12 marker Y-DNA test = $99 + postage
25 marker Y-DNA test = $169 + postage
37 marker Y-DNA test = $229 + postage
12 to 25 marker upgrade = $90
12 to 37 marker upgrade = $149
25 to 37 marker upgrade = $59

What about privacy? The Bragg Surname DNA Project is committed to protecting your privacy. You will be assigned a kit number. When the DNA results come in, YOU decide what information (if any) will be displayed on our Results page. Only the Bragg Surname Project Coordinator and Family Tree DNA will know who is assigned which kit number. You will only be a number to the testing facility at the University of Arizona.

What happens to my DNA sample? FamilyTreeDNA sends your DNA sample to the lab at the University of Arizona to be tested. The lab is an accredited lab with the Department of Justice. Your DNA sample is either kept or destroyed after testing (based on your wishes). The reason for keeping it is that you may decide later to do more DNA tests. The point is that it still belongs to you regardless, and you have final say on what happens to it.

What risks are there? There are some risks, and it�s important to know and understand these risks.

The risk is that you may do the test and find out that your Y chromosome (and those of your ancestors) may be not genetically related to the rest of the Bragg family. It is called a �non-paternal event�. The DNA test will not tell you who that person is in your family tree. There could be many reasons for the �non-paternal� event such as a Bragg woman marrying a man who takes her last name, a male child is adopted by a Bragg family and takes their last name, or a child takes the last name of his Bragg mother (as in the case of Tarpley Bragg, son of Catherine Bragg).

How do I sign up?

1) Order either the 12, 25, or 37 marker Y-DNA kit from Family Tree DNA.

2) Send your pedigree chart to one of the Coordinators:

Stephanie Bragg Struby or Nancy Bragg Bird

3) Sign a release to allow us to post the results on our webpage.

Results Page: Our Surname Project is just getting off the ground. If you'd like to participate, then please email a Coordinator.

Last updated on 06/21/05.