Richards DNA Project

The Richards DNA Project covers the surnames Richards, Rickarts, Rickards, and other variant spellings. The project has been ongoing since November 2003. In January 2009 I took over as project administrator.

This project combines conventional genealogy with DNA test results. By pooling knowledge of our ancestors with DNA test data, we hope to extend our lines through the brick walls where written documents are unavailable.

Keys to Success

The success of this project will depend on the number of participants who join our testing group AND their willingness to share the facts they have documented about their earliest ancestors.

Please, contact as many Richards researchers as you can to encourage their participation.

Family Tree DNA

We have chosen Family Tree DNA of Houston, Texas as our testing company. They are leaders in their field and are associated with Dr. Michael Hammer, Ph.D., Geneticist, associate research scientist in the Division of Biotechnology at the University of Arizona.

Male Subjects Required

The Richards DNA Project uses Y-DNA testing. Only males have a Y-chromosome. And that passes from father to son, generation after generation. Therefore, the test subject should be a male with the surname of RICHARDS, a close variant, or some reason to suspect Richards ancestry.

Female researchers can participate by submitting a DNA sample from an appropriate male subject.

If two or more tested individuals match, it will indicate they descend from a common male ancestor. DNA testing cannot identify the specific ancestor. That’s why we need to share genealogical data on our earliest Richards ancestors.

37, 67, or 111 Markers

Family Tree DNA will be analyzing 37, 67 or 111 markers on the Y-chromosome. The choice is yours. Purchasing the most markers that you can afford will increase the quality of any DNA matches that may result.

If desired, you can begin with 37 markers and upgrade to the 67- or 111-marker test at a later date. Testing in stages is somewhat more costly and causes several weeks delay in obtaining the final results. But the cost of getting started is less.

How to Join

Joining the Richards DNA Project is a two-step process:

1. Go to the Join the Richards Group page and order a test kit. When the test kit arrives, follow the directions and return your DNA sample to the lab for analysis.

2. Return to this site to submit names, birth dates, places etc. for your earliest Richards ancestors. You can do that now or later through the Richards Ancestors form.

Your test number will help you find your own data in the results tables.

SEE THE RESULTS

Check out the Richards DNA Results page to see the results of current members.

I also suggest you go to Family Tree DNA and explore the many resources under FAQ.