The Dennis/Tennison Family - DNA Project

Home Search Index of Main Family Branches WEB Page Help Login  
Print


main image

Recruiting Dennis and Tennison Family Members

Our Family descends from the TENNISON family of St. Mary's County, Maryland. As the family migrated west a large portion of the family used the surname DENNIS. Although we have found numerous family members we still have several missing branches. There are also DENNIS or TENNISON families hoping to link to a family. So we have provided enough information for those searching their family line to see if they might link to us. The use of DNA has helped a lot of families find a link. Recruiting male family members to take DNA test is the second reason for this web site. THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS---Check back. We will not only present information on the different branches in our large family but provide migration information on the many descendants. We will be reporting on the results of our DNA tests (no personal information). We will examine the markers that link different cousins to each other. Before you try to search our database, please read our HELPFUL GUIDE to UNDERSTANDING our WEBSITE and the charts provided below.

Our family is taking part in the DENNIS surname DNA project.

The DNA project is sponsored by Family Tree DNA, (www.FamilytreeDNA.com). We are known as DENNIS Group 3 and the only group that has had males with the surname TENNISON to test into their family group. We have 26 males that have tested. Of those, we know the full line from the 1600"s to present day of 7 men. We have another group of 3 that are close "cousins" to each other and hoping for that final link to find out which TENNISON is their ancestor. We have another group of 4 men who use the surnames TENNISON, TENNIS, and DENNIS in our family. We need more family members DNA to help connect them to a certain branch within our tree.



How Y-DNA Testing Works

There are several different DNA tests. One of the most helpful tests for genealogists, is the male Y-DNA test. The Y-DNA test scores certain DNA markers that fathers pass down to their sons and those sons pass down to their sons, etc. Men in the same family have the same or a close number value. Over the generations a few of the markers will mutate or change number value. The difference in the number value of all the markers tested tells how close the relationship is. Sometimes a new family member has the right mutation values to help connect two other family members.

It is important that we encourage men with the surname Dennis or Tennison to take the Y-DNA. There is a large number of male Dennis men who have taken the DNA test but had not been linked to a certain family group by DNA markers. The more men that take the test the more information we all gain.

How to Take Part in the DNA Test

It is simple to take the test; a simple cotton type swap used on the inside of the mouth. Unfortunately the cost is the main problem. Joining the DENNIS surname group will give a discount of about $20. The 37 Y- Marker test runs about $48 after discount. If possible we suggest the 67 Y-Marker test. Family Tree often run specials on their tests. This web site will try to monitor the DNA sale events and report back to family members through a email list. Please sign up via the webmaster and specify your desire to be notified of sale. To participate in our DENNIS DNA project, go to www.familytreeDNA.com. In the search surname box type in Dennis. A few listings will come up. Select the DENNIS name. The next screen will have a brief description of the project and will tell you that you need to contact the project administrator, Jason Dennis. The next paragraph tells you that you can go ahead and order the test for this group at the discounted price. Proceed to order the Y-DNA test. Family Tree DNA will send you the directions and return envelope along with the small containers to put the cotton swabs in. It takes several weeks to get your results.


Contributions to this website came from many family members.

Including Sue Dennis Green, Ralph Smith, Mike Marshall, and many others.Thank You ALL!

Webmasters are Sue Dennis Green and Carl C Dennis.

Search