"DNA is a record of who we are and how we are related to each other," says Scott Woodard who heads the Center for Molecular Genealogy at Brigham Young University. "DNA can identify an individual, link him to a family and identify extended family groups (tribes or clans)." Researchers are using the Y chromosome passed from father to son unchanged except for minor mutations for many years. Using the Y chromosome testing we can expect to achieve many personal and group goals for our research.
Our objectives for this project:
1. Identify Gordons and Gordon Septs who are genetically-related
2. Prove or disprove theories proposed by leading Gordon researchers such as Dr. JM Bulloch and Dr. Edward Gordon of Cairnfield
3. Determine any genetic relationship between Gordons and their Septs.
4. Break down brick walls in our research.
5. Help us focus and give direction on a particular area for further research.
6. Verify existing facts or clear up Gordon family mysteries.
7. Promote and support the surname DNA projects of Gordon Septs.
These are very broad goals and should be very easy for us to achieve. More concrete and directly related goals that I think we will be able to accomplish are:
1. Find the origins of the Gordon surname.
2. Categorically determine the DNA sequence for all House of Gordon branches.
3. Determine relationships between the various Gordon families and Gordon Septs.
4. Formulate a migration pattern for our Gordons based on family relationships and maybe even tie into some collateral lines, including Septs.
5. Identify possible relationship between the various clans that bear the three boars' heads on their coat-of-arms, including the Nesbitts, Swintons, Setons and Allerdice clans.
6. Were the Gordons, Normans? Why were they in the lowlands before the Norman invasion?
7. Help each of us realize a personal goal in our research.