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Introduction

Current Updates

Current Theories

Project Archives

Informational  Websites

About This Webpage

Introduction

If you are here then you have an interest in what our Scruggs DNA says about us. As of this time we have had three close cousins in our Samuel Scott Scruggs line that have completed a Y-chromosome DNA test two of which are the 37 marker test. It was done in conjunction with the Scruggs DNA Project at Family Tree DNA conducted by the Scruggs Family Association (SFA). When the results of our cousins test were compared with the results of the other 12 testers of various lines we were shocked to discover that our DNA results bear absolutely no blood kinship to any of them.  The analysis from the latest Spring 2005 edition of Searching For Scruggs Quarterly magazine produced by the SFA reads as follows,"…Samuel S./Jane Childress Scruggs could be a totally new and different Scruggs branch, but more likely is what is called as a non paternity event. This is one of the risks run when Y DNA testing is used. Somewhere in this line a legal adoption, unannounced adoption, infidelity, or illegitimacy occurred. Some male in this line did not have a Scruggs as his biological father."

Current Updates

1 -   Recently (Oct 2013) we were pleasantly surprised to confirm a 37 marker match with the WHITE surname who like our DNA results did not match any of their own White DNA Project participants. We both are currently being upgraded to the 67 marker test which will further define our most recent common ancestor (MRCA).

2 -  Though we are in line with the participants from the Parker families who currently have 37-marker tests completed, we are not an adequate match in a 37-marker test compared to the Parker family.  At a minimum one of the Parker test participants is a genetic distance of at least 3 from one of our Scruggs cousins and even further distant from the other in this comparison.  However, there is a bit of confusion over these results due to some “Null” values* and at present we are seeking some more authoritative experience to help answer these questions.

*How is genetic distance calculated for NULL values? 

For Y-Chromosome DNA STR matching, genetic distance is calculated as a single NULL causing event. The NULL value causing event is treated as a single step event with a genetic distance of one. The one exception is for the STR marker DYS439. The difference there between a value of say 12 and a NULL value is calculated as a genetic distance of 12.

Current Theories

  With all of the research attempted on not only the Scruggs surname as a whole but within this family specifically, there has been absolutely no gain made to who the parents were of Samuel Scott Scruggs Sr. Neither do we know who his paternal grandfather was.  We do believe that his paternal grandmother was a Susannah Carter b. abt 1720 in Henrico County, Virginia.  She named Samuel Scott Scruggs Sr. as her executor and sole heir in her will.  It is in this “black hole” that we believe lays the non-paternity event. 

   There are many different possible theories that might help us to focus our research in a way that will produce the best results. There may be other ideas that we have not thought of and we welcome any and all new ideas. We have not listed these theories in any particular order.

Theory 1 – Samuel Scott has an UNKNOWN SURNAME father and a Scruggs mother.

   Perhaps this was an unwed Scruggs mother that became pregnant at an early age*. She may be the daughter of Susanna Carter Scruggs and as yet unknown Scruggs husband. The father may have died before being able to marry this unwed Scruggs mother or he simply “scooted off” to parts unknown when this event took place. The end result may have been a legal or unannounced adoption of Samuel Scott by the Scruggs grandparents – Susanna & her husband. In this way Samuel Scott grows up thinking he is a legitimate Scruggs male or he grows up knowing that he was adopted/accepted as a Scruggs. In any case Samuel Scott takes the Scruggs surname.

*There is a suggestion that somewhere in one of the LDS microfilms an entry concerning an unwed Scruggs mother with child. Depending on the date of this entry this could apply to this generation or any generation further back. It could also be inapplicable to this issue entirely.

Theory 2 – Susanna Carter has a son from a previous marriage or an illegitimate affair with a UNKNOWN SURNAME male.

   Perhaps Susanna was briefly married to the UNKNOWN SURNAME husband who fathered a son. This husband may have died or even perhaps although extremely rare, was divorced. Susanna then marries a Scruggs and this UNKNOWN SURNAME son could then have been adopted as a Scruggs who then in turn fathered Samuel Scott. Again this UNKNOWN SURNAME male son of Susanna might have grown up thinking he is a legitimate Scruggs male or he knows that he was adopted/accepted as a Scruggs. In any case he takes the Scruggs surname*.

*The Will of Susanna Carter Scruggs is specific to Samuel Scott Scruggs as both an heir and executor of her estate. This could have been her last attempt to legitimize Samuel Scott as a rightful Scruggs.  As such it would be very helpful to find a male Scruggs descendent of a male sibling of Samuel Scott to further test this theory.

Theory 3 (Similar to Theory 2) - A Scruggs female has an illegitimate UNKNOWN SURNAME son

   Who is adopted/accepted as a Scruggs who then marries Susanna Carter. These two then have a son who then fathers Samuel Scott. Resulting in Samuel Scott having UNKNOWN SURNAME DNA.

*It would be very helpful to find a male Scruggs descendent of a male sibling of Samuel Scott to further test this theory.

Theory 4 – A male infant from as yet unknown branch of our Scruggs line might have been ‘taken in’ to be raised in the home of any one of these three generations.

   Perhaps the parents of this male infant were unable to care for this child due to sickness, war, poverty, or other such calamity and the responsibility was taken up by someone in our Scruggs line.

Web resources

This search engine may

provide you with additional

information to assist with

your research about this topic.

·      Scruggs (RootsWeb Database)

·      The Viking Y-DNA Project

·      Scruggs Project @ Family Tree DNA

·      Scruggs Surname DNA Project @ My Heritage

·      Scruggs Family Association

·      Scruggs Surname DNA Project

·      Ancestry.com - One simple DNA test. A world of discoveries

·      23 and Me – DNA Testing

·      BBC NEWS - DNA 'could predict your surname' 

·      DesigNAgifts  - Various products based on your individual DNA patterns.

·      The D.N.A. Detective 

·      DNA Kin 

·      DNA Takes on a Family’s Mysteries 

·      DNA traces famous ancestor 

·      Double Helix Genealogy 

·      Dr Mark A. Jobling, Dept. of Genetics, University of Leicester 

·      Genealogy and Genetics 

·      Genetic Genealogy: Using DNA Testing for Family Research 

·      Genetic Genealogy 

·      The Genographic Project - Human Migration, Population Genetics, Maps, DNA 

·      Kerchner's DNA Testing & Genetic Genealogy Information & Resources Page 

·      Mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) Test Results Log Book 

·      Molecular Genealogy - Is DNA the Answer to Lost Family Records? 

·      Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation 

·      Guide to terms encountered in genetic genealogy.

Free Records & Databases

All of the records and databases we’ve collected are FREE and can be accessed and searched online without having to pay for a subscription.   We have divided our collected into 14 record types as follows: Biographical; Birth; Cemetery; Census & City Directories; Church; Court; Death; Immigration & Naturalization; Land; Marriage; Military; Newspapers; Occupational; and Tax Records.    We try not to list any sites that have only a few records for the purpose of getting you to a website that will charge a fee to actually see the record beyond just a name.  

This Link will take you to our

collections of FREE Records.  

The following Link will take you to our library of genealogy reference books.   Here you will find bibliographies, family histories and books about names.  In addition, there are texts that pertain to ethnic and religion groups, history, geography as well as other books that will assist you with your research.

This Link will take you to our

collections of reference books.  

About this webpage

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-- This webpage was last updated on --

01 November 2013