Message Board

DNA test

summerlew — Thur, 31 Jul 2008 18:24:09 GMT

Hi!
I am going to give the Lewis DNA test kit to my husband as an anniversary gift (sounds silly, I know!), but I'm not sure what to choose. I realize the more you spend, the more accurate the results will be, but I don't think we need to get carried away. Is the DNA37 sufficient or is the DNA67 worth the money? And, I'm not even sure what the DNAplus things are! Any advice?

Thanks!
Summer Lewis
Elkhart, IN

New Pricing Structure:

Y-DNA12 $99
Y-DNA25 $148
Y-DNA37 $189
Y-DNA67 $269
Y-DNA12 + mtDNA $199
Y-DNA37 + mtDNAPlus $339
Y-DNA67 + mtDNAPlus $409

Forum: DNA and genealogy

Historical Trip Help--long post

summerlew — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:14:42 GMT

I realize this is not exactly a genealogy question, but you may have just the specific info I'm looking for!

I am trying to plan a special (semi-surprise) trip for my husband next summer/fall. He is interested in his family history and has always talked about taking a trip to Virginia to see some of the historical sites related to his ancestry. I am not much of a researcher, so I'm seeking assistance. I'd love to gather a list of the "must-sees" directly related to his forefathers. For example, I know I want to spend a couple of nights at the Inn at Warner Hall. I've also read that there is an annual Welsh festival he might like to attend. I'm looking for places that are not just historical to the US, but to the Lewis family in particular ie, homes, cemetaries, landmarks?

I know there are many Lewis lines and I found some notes on his lineage based on some info he gathered a couple of years ago.

According to Meriwethers & Their Connections (my husband's father is listed on pg 556)

Major John Lewis I 1594-1657 (came to VA in 1635)
Major John Lewis II 1637-1690
Col. John Lewis III 1669-1725 (great uncle to G. Washington)
Col. Robert Lewis 1704-1765 (married Jane Meriwether)---Warner Hall
Col. Nicholas Lewis 1728-1807 (Brother of Col. William Lewis/Father of Meriwether Lewis)
Thomas Walker Lewis
Thomas Meriwether Lewis 1797-1865
William J. Lewis 1824-1885
William Austin Lews 1871-1922
Howard Glyndon Lewis (grandfather)
Howard Glyndon Lewis Jr (living) father
Howard Glyndon Lewis III (1976-living) My husband

Thanks in advance for any help you can give!
Summer Lewis
Elkhart, IN

Forum: DNA and genealogy

Caradoc Freichfras

Lewis — Thur, 25 Oct 2007 13:43:45 GMT

A bio page has been created for Caradoc Freichfras / Vraich Vras.

http://www.legendoflewis.com/Caradoc.htm

An interesting tid bit is the Arms of King Pelinor father of Caradocs wife which are:
Argent, three Wyverns heads erased vert in their mouths hands coupt at the wrist, gules with guttee de sang.

This then seems to be the origin of the Arms of Rhys Goch. A Wynern is a dragon. With the exception of a web site or two, I have never seen the arms described as a "griffin" and have never seen credible reference to the motto "Omne solum forti patria est" - literally, Every land is a brave man's country. Which is why it has been dropped from this site.

This depiction (click below to see the "griffin")is probably very inaccurate:
http://www.genpage.com/lewiscoa.jpg

It could be argued that the logo contained at LegendofLewis is inaccurate as the hand I believe is suppose to be a right hand not the left as illustrated.

Input?

Forum: Ancient Wales

DNA and Genealogy Apology

Lewis — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 13:19:56 GMT

I would like to offer my apology regarding DNA and genealogy as I feel the negative article and some comments have unfairly diminished the value of this form of research.

I dont think many researchers have considered DNA testing to be the answer to genealogical research. In fact, the Lewis surname group clearly states such and advises the member to exercise due diligence following DNA testing to confirm the results. The test is a tool, like many others available to researchers and I believe a relatively cheap tool at that. Consider the flight and lodging to England and compare to a DNA test. How about literature? How many readers here have spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars purchasing so called genealogy books only to find little, if any information worth the paper it was printed on? How many have purchased the quick to print, (it is hard to call them paperback as they are seemingly assembled in someone's garage) only to feel as if you have been ripped off by one of the many entrepreneurs quick to make a buck off of one of the largest "hobbies" in America. (I wont even mention the "books on demand" folks who photo copy say, Lewisiana and charge up to $300.00 for it). Researchers who drive in their cars to distant libraries and spend hours scanning books (surely one's time as a Phd is very expensive) incur large expenses for the information they seek.

FTDNA makes money. Its a capitalist world and thank God for it. (not to contradict previous statements). Some capitalism is good. Consider companies that make a profit but also do a general good for the public (501C3s even make money). If they did not make money, they would not be in business. There are many books regarding how capitalism ignites the genious of man that have been written so I would not attempt to cover it here.

The DNA results have to be measured for what they are worth. It is a tool when used correctly could be a major addition, or advancement I might say, to genealogical research. I have said this before, consider a forest of Lewises. Pretend each trunk of the tree spells Lewis vertically. Branching off of the trunk are many Lewis branches. This forest is vast with many many Lewis trees. If a participant is fortunate enough to get a match, he or she may find the tree in this vast forest from which their branch extends. It would be a beacon, highlighting the needle in the haystack.

Percentage wise we understand that science (as are humans) are fallible. I cant remember the number but a 25 marker match is somewhere around a 90% probability that a common ancestor is shared between two participants with a 100% match. Now let us say we have a group of four participants each matching 100% at a 25marker test. Do the percentages of probability increase or decrease? Certainly one would consider any match a solid lead which would at least require the researcher to rule out.

There are only 202 Lewises what if you do not get a match? This is a disappointment for sure and one of the two I was real concerned about. The other was discovering that I may not be a Lewis at all (based on family folklore which has been covered). I believe that DNA and genealogy remains in its infancy. We are only scratching the surface of how this benefits each group as a whole. As much as it is a let down, one should consider themselves to be the first of a sub-group of Lewises but certainly not the only/ last. I believe when I first was involved with the Lewis surname group there were only 9 sub-groups. There are now 23. In addition, I believe that this specific group is one of the fastest growing groups at FTDNA. For many, I believe that a match will be found and hypothesize that over the next two years, this database will double, increasing not only the odds of a match but confirming (at better than 98%) that those sub-groups with more than five matches are in fact absolutely connected. So what if your line is already documented? A fully documented line should consider DNA participation as a donation to the foundation of the research. This charity establishes (or confirms) sub-groups allowing the group as a whole to build off of.

Lastly, of the myths; The government probably does not want your DNA, sheep will not be cloned in your likeness and black helicopters are not, I repeat, not flying outside your window.

In closing, I would have to consider DNA genealogy as one of the greatest advancements as a research tool since the printed word. Its intrinsic value to genealogy could be underscored by the many success stories generated. One should be cautioned that due diligence is still required considering fallibility but ruling out one tree to climb v. chopping through an entire forest certainly is worth the $99.00.

GLTA
Regards

Forum: DNA and genealogy

John Lewis at Chepstow?

Lewis — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 14:31:16 GMT

Moses had surmised based on entries in "Memoirs of the Civil War in Wales and the Marches 1642-1649." By John Roland Phillips that John Lewis was the Esq. Lewis taken by Isaac Ewer under Cromwell. Entry reads:

"....took prisoners as follows: Esq. Lewis, Major Lewis, Major Thomas, Capt. Morgan, Capt. Buckswell, Capt. John Harris, Capt. Christopher Harris, Capt. Mansell, Capt. Pinner, Capt. Dowle, Capt. Rositer, Lieut. Kemeys, Lieut. Leech, Lieut. Codd, Ensign Lewis, Ensign Watkins, Ensign Morgan, with other officers and soldiers to the number of 120."

Reading: Welsh Royalists: Sir Nicholas Kemeys, Bart., Cefn Mably, the Captor and ... By John Rowland

We find the following from the reference "Transactions of the Cymmodorion Society 1843"

"At the breaking out of the Civil War, Chepstow was garrisoned for the King, but in 1645 the town was surprised by Colonel Morgan of Glo'ster, and after a siege of a few days, surrendered by it's Governor, Colonel Fitzmorris, an Irishman. It continued in Parliamentary possession until the 6th May, 1648, when Kemeys and Thomas Lewis again surprised it. ..."

It continues with an account of how Chepstow fell.

So who was Thomas Lewis? Is the information accurate and noting that there where 3 Lewises taken at Chepstow, which was which?

Forum: John Lewis Gent 1592 1657

Lost Line of Charles P. Lewis

Lewis — Thur, 01 Feb 2007 13:13:54 GMT

Charles P. Lewis was born in Tennessee in 1824. He served in the Mexican War and the Civil War (Union, KY). He is interred (d. 1866) at Brown Cemetery in Hardin County Illinois. The DNA of his descendant (me) suggests he is of the Warner Hall lineage.

Current research data:

http://www.legendoflewis.com/Charles_P_Lewis_1824_1866.htm

Charles P. Lewis married in Gallatin Co. IL in 1847, Charlotte Brown.

He is listed with children and Charlotte in the 1850, 1860 Hardin Co. Il Census.

Served in the Illinois 1st infantry, Mexican War

Served in KY Union Calvary, Paducha, KY until 1863.

The 1840 Gallatin County Census lists a Samuel H. Lewis. Listed w/ Samuel is a male 15-20yrs. Samuel himself would be 25yrs.

Samuel first married Anna Trousdale 1835 White County Il.

Samuel married second Charlotte Fowler 1841 Gallatin County, Il.

Gov. William Trousdale (d. 1872 Gallatin Co. Il.) married Mary Ann Bugg 1827, Sumner Co. TN. She was the daughter of Samuel Bugg and Francis Lewis. Francis Lewis was the daughter of Howell Lewis

http://www.legendoflewis.com/Frances_Lewis_BFF.htm

1850 Gallatin Co. IL Census lists Samuel H. Lewis as born in NC 1815.

1850 Gallatin Co. IL Census lists Joseph P. Lewis as born in NC 1818.

1850 Hardin Co. IL Census lists Charles P. Lewis b. TN 1824

A Gallatin County Illinois Wills and Probates lists a James Thomas Lewis "died intestate" December 1850. His estate presided over by Enoch Fowler (relative of Charlotte Fowler, Samuel's second wife)

Any help in this would be appreciated.

Forum: Lineage of Warner Hall

Who was Major William Lewis?

Lewis — Sat, 25 Nov 2006 22:50:20 GMT

Moses, Sorley, Malcolm Harris, and many others list, according to Hening's Statutes, a Major William Lewis who assigned to Councilor John Lewis the land called Chemokins.

A man, Wm Lewis is listed as transported w/ John (Jon) Lewis Sr. along with Lida, Edward, and John Jr. 1653.

Who was this William Lewis? What was his relation to John Sr.

Forum: John Lewis Gent 1592 1657

Looking for Great-Great Grandfather

Janey — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 19:45:36 GMT

I am looking for information on my great-great grandfather. I have very little information to go on. His name was Howell Lewis, when he was 4 years old he came to this area (Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas) on an Orphan Train. The family that adopted him had the last name of Gray. They kept his last name as his middle name. He is buried in Bentonville, Arkansas. I have written to various place about the orphan trains but have found absolutely nothing. If anyone has any kind of information or can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it.

Forum: Ancient Wales

Ancient Wales

Lewis — Tue, 26 Sep 2006 19:54:14 GMT

*Update* Prologue to Ancient Wales posted on Wales page. More Wales history coming soon.

Forum: Ancient Wales

DNA Sponsorship

Lewis — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 11:39:50 GMT

Based on initial research, there are probably thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, Lewis of Warner Hall male descendants currently living. At this time there are four (4) DNA matches included in the Lewissurnamednaproject database. Legend of Lewis, for the benefit of research, is now offering to sponsor any male individuals who believe they may be of this lineage but currently are unable financially to purchase DNA testing material. All inquiries will remain anonymous if desired.

Contact Legend@LegendofLewis.com

Forum: DNA and genealogy

Bios Wanted

Lewis — Thur, 31 Aug 2006 15:57:23 GMT

Since this family is so massive, it could not be conceivable that I write biographies for every family member (at least not in the next five years). If you are a member of this lineage submit a bio of a family member or if you would like to take on other Warner Hall Lewises feel free to do so. My hope is that other Warner Hall Lewises will help by submitting bios and photos as well as correct what I have on this site.

Have a great day.

J.Lewis

Forum: Lineage of Warner Hall

Reference Books

Lewis — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 10:11:35 GMT

The bibliography page has been updated. Notably missing are several Lewis books that do not deal specifically with this line and many are not considered even nearly accurate. Cook's publication seems to be imposible to obtain. A friend has E-mailed me several references one specifically caught my attention; "Dyess" dealing with John Lewis of Monmouth seemingly pre-dates Moses work. Have a reference not included on the bibliography page? Discuss it here.

Forum: Books and Publications

DNA and genealogy

Lewis — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 04:34:49 GMT

DNA research is another tool to genealogical research. If you are fortunate enough to get a match, your search will be narrowed to one tree and it's various branches as opposed to a forest with millions of branches. If you have never submitted DNA, what are you waiting for?

http://lewissurnamednaproject.com

Forum: DNA and genealogy

Discussions of Warner Hall lineage

Lewis — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 04:30:49 GMT

Post discussions regarding Warner Hall lineage and queries here.

Forum: Lineage of Warner Hall

John Lewis progenitor of Warner Hall

Lewis — Fri, 11 Aug 2006 04:29:39 GMT

Grace McLean Moses published "The Welsh Lineage of John Lewis" claiming her research confirms John Lewis is the progenitor of the Lewis of Warner Hall line.

Forum: John Lewis Gent 1592 1657