Sorry this will have to be a brief reply for now as I am away from home. Y-DNA analysis of the paternal line is the most useful and meaningful test to take so far, because it mirrors and follows the male//surname line and the rate of mutation means that genealogy interpretations are possible. Female mitochondrial DNA mutates far too slowly for this type of analysis.

New autosomal DNA testing is now being used to identify people with any common ancestor normally within the last 8 generations or so -and I have used it personally very successfully to unblock my own Creer tree. I am very happy to help and advise anyone on this list personally on the whole use of DNA testing when I return from holiday in July. in the meantime see the manx DNA project at www.manxdna.co.uk.

I can be contacted off list at creer@one-name.org

Cheers

John