The use of DNA to search and evaluate ones roots is a rather new tool for the avid genealogist. For that reason, many old school genealogists do not embrace the results DNA provides although the results are undeniable. Y-DNA is an accurate DNA test that only men can take and is used to trace one’s paternal (male) lineage. In essence, a male will share the same Y-DNA as his father, grandfather, great grandfather, etc.
Y-DNA can be used to rule out a paternal connection to someone else although it cannot be used to calculate an exact relationship between two men. It has been used in the past for paternal suits when the father is in question in the court of law. Y-DNA markers (called STR Markers) mutate enough that if two men shard the same results and the same surname, there is a high likelihood they share the same paternal lineage. The optimal use of Y-DNA testing is combining standard genealogical documentation with Y-DNA results to reach a common endpoint.
To that end, Y-DNA has been extremely helpful in sorting out the early Compton groups of Southwest Virginia. The theory, as C.V. Compton stated years ago in Comptonology, was that three distinct Compton families lived in early Southwest Virginia. Now with Y-DNA testing we have proven this as fact and are able to place Compton descendants into their respective group based on their Y-DNA results. As expected, Jeremiah, David and Thomas Compton all share the same Y-DNA fingerprint. Abraham Compton Jr. of Scott County and his descendants share the same Y-DNA and the Tazewell County Compton’s share the same Y-DNA.
To summarize, the Compton Y-DNA project has solidified three major points in regards to the Compton’s of early Southwest Virignia.
The Compton Y-DNA project is an active project and currently looking for male Compton’s to submit their DNA for testing. So far we have over seventy men participating and several discoveries have been made. Please visit familytreedna.com or email brettc14@hotmail.com for further information.
Y-DNA can be used to rule out a paternal connection to someone else although it cannot be used to calculate an exact relationship between two men. It has been used in the past for paternal suits when the father is in question in the court of law. Y-DNA markers (called STR Markers) mutate enough that if two men shard the same results and the same surname, there is a high likelihood they share the same paternal lineage. The optimal use of Y-DNA testing is combining standard genealogical documentation with Y-DNA results to reach a common endpoint.
To that end, Y-DNA has been extremely helpful in sorting out the early Compton groups of Southwest Virginia. The theory, as C.V. Compton stated years ago in Comptonology, was that three distinct Compton families lived in early Southwest Virginia. Now with Y-DNA testing we have proven this as fact and are able to place Compton descendants into their respective group based on their Y-DNA results. As expected, Jeremiah, David and Thomas Compton all share the same Y-DNA fingerprint. Abraham Compton Jr. of Scott County and his descendants share the same Y-DNA and the Tazewell County Compton’s share the same Y-DNA.
To summarize, the Compton Y-DNA project has solidified three major points in regards to the Compton’s of early Southwest Virignia.
- There were three distinct groups of Compton men in early Southwest Virginia based on Y-DNA results; the Russell County group (Jeremiah, David and Thomas Compton), the Scott County group (Abraham Compton Jr) and the Tazewell County group (John Compton Sr.)
- Jeremiah Compton was not the brother of Abraham Compton Jr.
- Lee Compton, Benjamin Wallace Compton, and William F Compton do not share Y-DNA with the Tazewell County Compton’s. Again the paper trail suggests Thomas Compton as their father and now Y-DNA research proves they were not from the Tazewell County Compton group.
The Compton Y-DNA project is an active project and currently looking for male Compton’s to submit their DNA for testing. So far we have over seventy men participating and several discoveries have been made. Please visit familytreedna.com or email brettc14@hotmail.com for further information.
