RATLIFF DNA PROJECT
(RADCLIFF, RADCLIFFE, RADCLYFFE, RATCLIFF, RATCLIFFE, RATLIFFE)
For years, many have been making a great effort to put our Ratliff Family (with the various spellings) together. Because of many reasons, there has emerged a somewhat confusing and incomplete picture.
With the recent development of DNA, great strides have come forward in technology and the cost of such technology that now DNA is available for those of us who want to locate our ancestors.
Through a firm called FAMILY TREE DNA, tests are now available where one can determine if your male DNA matches or is a close match to others with the same surname (with the various spellings). Therefore, this request is being made to all male members with the same surname (including the various spellings listed above) to submit to a simple DNA test. The test is easy and involves your providing 2 cheek swabs that you do yourself and return to Family Tree DNA.
Within 6 weeks or so you will receive a partial result on the first 12 markers of your DNA. Within 3 more weeks or so, you will receive the remaining 13 markers. At that time you will be directed to a website called “Ysearch” where your results will be compared to others within all of the various spellings of the name. Your identity is kept confidential, as a code number will only show your results. If you want to make contact with the other code numbers on the list, you will be given the opportunity to do so. However, you will not know the identity of the other party until they respond to your request. That way, you maintain control over who you are in contact with.
How do you request a test?
Very simple. Go to www.familytreedna.com for the details. Once at the Home Page, click on “Projects” which you will see close to the top of the page. Once in “Projects”, you will be given a listing of the alphabet. Click on “R” and you will be given a list of surnames. Click on “Ratliff”. You will then be in the Ratliff DNA Project. Or you can go directly to that section by using this address: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/RATLIFF. For your information, read the information there to understand the scope of the project. As you page down to the bottom you will find a form to complete “On-Line” to request a test. As you complete the form, you will arrive at “Test Description”. There you will find a window with a “drop-down arrow” on the right hand side of that window. Click on that arrow and you will be given a menu of various tests. Please select YDNA25-Male 25 marker paternal test…$169.00 (Group). There will be a $2.00 mailing fee for a total of $171.00.
Once you have registered and submitted your request to Family Tree DNA, you will receive a small brown envelope by mail. Inside that envelope will be your test kit with simple instructions as to how to perform the 2 cheek swabs. Once you have completed the swab as directed, simply follow the instructions on how to return the swabs for completion of the test. Your credit card will not be charged until you return your swabs and the tests are actually done.
Thank you so much for participating in this opportunity to help clear up the Ratliff (including various spellings) heritage. If you would like to be kept informed as to the results of the overall project, please communicate with the Project Director, Larry Ratliff as indicated on the Family Tree DNA website.
Thank you,
Ed Ratliff