DNA Test #3
Canton and its variants form a very small surname-group so we are unlikely ever to reach the number of tests (100+, 200+) I note in other surname projects. If it were likely we would do so, I might be persuaded to calm down about each new test but, as it is, to have reached test #3 within a very few weeks since announcing the existence of our project is extremely good news.
I am very grateful for our DNA test pioneers for we can reasonably hope others will now be inspired to take part.
Test #3 is being taken by a member of line PL, shorthand for (earliest known ancestor found in) Pembrokeshire, Lampeter Velfrey. This line is, in the present state of knowledge, a distinct and separate PEM line. Lampeter Velfrey PRs (parish registers) were once known to have existed for christenings and burials 1779-1812 but are now officially ‘apparently lost’. Though marriage registers exist from 1755 and there are scanty 18C BTs (bishops transcripts), it is very difficult to take a line further back. Much the same is true of other nearby parishes.
DNA testing will quite possibly show connections between this and other PEM lines - the only way to be certain is to test someone - or preferably two people, not closer than second cousins - from each known line. So we have some way to go but it’s a very healthy start.
Next time I will post a list of known lines with their shorthand code. This will be well-known to anyone who read Canton Connections (family history magazine 1996-2004) but not to casual visitors (and hopefully potential test-candidates). It refers to Cantons whose origins lie in the British Isles, but this reflects just our current state of knowledge and Cantons from any country are welcome to take part in the project.
Useful Links
Canton One-Name Study Guild Profile
http://www.one-name.org/profiles/canton.html
FTDNA Canton Profile Page
https://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.aspx?code=B79774&special=True
FTDNA CSP Webpage