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The Parke Society Newsletter Issue 2005 - Vol. 41 No. 1 |
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Ken Parks, and I have been a member of the Parke Society since 2002. My Parks research began in 1999, and hit a brick wall with my 3rd great grandfather, Henry Parks (b. ca 1800). Unable to connect him to any of the Parks lines in the area of East Tennessee where he lived, I began a DNA testing project in 2001 with other Parks descendants from that area. Results were inconclusive, primarily due to too few participants to gather any meaningful information from the DNA test results.
My DNA testing project then remained idle until a recent contact with another East Tennessee Parks descendant who was interested in testing. This jump-started the whole process again, and I contacted the Parke Society about having our test results included in the surname project they had already established. Upon contacting the Society, I learned that they were currently looking for someone to administer their project. I volunteered, so here I am, addressing you now on the subject!
For those of you interested in the history of the Parke Society's DNA project up to this point, I would refer you to the wonderful two part article "Y-Chromosomes and the Lineage of Roger Parke (NJ 1682)" written by Lee R. Christensen #957 (Vol. 40 Nos. 1, 2),... [this article continues with an explanation of what is learned through Y-DNA test.]
I would like to address the questions of what kind of information is gleaned from a Y-DNA test and what steps are taken to provide a measure of privacy for the individual providing a DNA sample.When a DNA test is done by a law enforcement agency, the objective is to have a DNA test result that is unique to an individual. This is achieved by testing the "recombined" genetic material, mentioned earlier, found on the first 22 pairs of chromosomes.
The objective of DNA testing for genealogy is to test locations that are not unique to an individual. In the case of the Y-DNA test, several locations on the Y chromosome are tested that remain virtually unchanged from father to son. If several males were tested who had a common male ancestor, their Y chromosome Genetic Genealogy test results would match or be a close match. Therefore, this type of test does not identify an individual, rather a lineage. I would like to emphasize this point: there is nothing in the test results of an individual's Y-DNA test results that would identify him as a unique individual.
The objectives of DNA testing for law enforcement and DNA testing for genealogy are at opposite ends of the spectrum. The objective of Genetic Genealogy is to find all those who match, and therefore had a common ancestor. The objective of DNA testing for law enforcement is to identify a unique individual.
As for the privacy of the test results themselves, the testing firm we are using, Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), has a strict policy for protecting test results. The actual DNA samples are sent to a lab identified only by a number, not a name. The lab has no information about the sample other than this number. FTDNA releases the test results only to the individual and, if they have signed a release, to the surname project administrator.
The Executive Board of the Parke Society is still finalizing its policy on the issue of sharing the test results of the Park/e/s surname project, but it is safe to say that they will continue FTDNA's practice of protecting the names of individuals who participate in the project. We may provide a forum for those individuals who wish to provide their name and contact information, either publicly on a website, or privately through the Park/e/s group administrator as a third party go-between. Of course, anyone who tests with FTDNA, by signing the release form, will be contacted by FTDNA whenever another individual's test results result in a match with their own.
When test results do indicate a match, we then have to look at the number of "markers" or locations on the Y chromosome that were tested and compared. The greater the number of markers tested, the smaller the range of generations within which the common ancestor is likely to be found. Currently, FTDNA offers 12 marker, 25 marker, and 37 marker tests. The 25 marker test was introduced about 2-3 years ago, and the 37 marker test has become available more recently.
For purposes of any meaningful genealogical information, the 12 marker test is of almost no use other that to indicate with certainty that individuals who do not match are not related. If a 12/12 match occurs, the range of generations for finding the common ancestor is too wide to be of use in genealogical research.
The 25 marker test can narrow the time span somewhat, but it is my opinion that since the 37 marker test is now available, the narrower time range it affords makes it the most logical choice for anyone hoping to gain the most information from the Y-DNA test.
What the 25 marker test can tell us (and the 37 marker test to a finer degree) is the Time to the Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) of two individuals whose test results indicate they are related. When we say "time," we are really speaking of a range of generations and probabilities of accuracy. The test is not able to say, in and of itself, that you and cousin "X" are related say, precisely 10 generations ago, or at some point say, exactly 173 years in the past. What it can provide is a range of number of generations in which to look for a common ancestor using traditional genealogical research methods.
DNA testing is not meant to be a substitute for genealogical research. DNA testing, combined with your research, is an effective tool to resolve unanswered questions, determine relatedness, identify research problems, and to prove or disprove theories or research.
In closing, I would like to make a few points about the Park/e/s Surname Project:
I hope this article will help introduce our Park/e/s Y-DNA Surname Project to the membership. As stated earlier, more detailed articles pertaining to various aspects of the project will follow if requested. I look forward to an increased participation from Society members as well as other Park/e/s researchers, as the greater the number of test results in our database, the more information we may gain about the various Park/e/s lineages in question.
For more information on Y-DNA testing:
Family Tree DNA (FTDNA): http://www.familytreedna.com
To order a Y-DNA test as part of the Park/e/s Surname Project: http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=R26624&special=True&projecttype=S
To contact Ken Parks with questions or comments: kenparks@earthlink.net
(page 1)
New Parke Society Newsletter Editor SoughtThe Parke Society is seeking a new editor to publish its Newsletter. The position is contractual with the editor receiving compensation for each issue published. The job description is posted on the public and non-public pages of the Society's Web page at: http://www.parke.org/editor.html |
Volume 41 will be my final issue as editor of the Newsletter. Please see the announcement of the search for a new editor on page 1 of this issue, and the job description on the Society website.
The pressures of my job are not decreasing and I do not expect any change until I retire, which unfortunately will not be for several years. While I am grateful to be employed, I do not have the luxury of time to perform the duties of the editor. Nevertheless, part of me feels sorry to be leaving. Also I know only too well that finding a replacement for me will be difficult. However, at this point, it seems to me that no editor is scarcely worse than a nonfunctioning editor.
I want to extend to all of you my very warm thanks for your cooperation and
support, and especially your patience with me. I offer my best wishes to the
Society's officers and trustees for success in their search for a replacement editor.
PDP
(... page 2)
In 1982, Cecilia Parke, then Kasberg, joined the Society and shared widely her personal lineage from Joseph Parke and his son Micajah in New Jersey. Percival Park #140 was another who was able to show his line, from Noah in Rowan Co., N.C., but was not yet connected to New Jersey. Then the Society's newsletter began receiving articles and spread the findings as they were developed (e.g., David L. Parke, "Another John Park of VA is Identified," Newsltr.,1992 Vol. 29 No. 1 p. 1; Percival D. Park, "Eastern Rowan Co. N.C. Park Origins," 1992 Vol. 29 No. 3, p. 33; Cecilia B. Kasberg, "Update on Roger (NJ 1682)," 1993 Vol. 30 No. 1, p. 13; David L. Parke, "Roger (NJ 1682) gives many an immigrant Ancestor," 1993 Vol. 30 No. 3, p. 33).
Cecilia and Percy were designated lineage leaders (1992 Vol. 29 No. 2, p. 17). By 1995 the lead Newsletter article announced, "Roger (NJ 1682) Lineage is not in Stone ... Yet!" (1995 Vol. 32 No. 1, p. 1). The membership in that line is now approaching 200.
...
Now it is appropriate to announce who is taking over the care of these two important lineages. For the line of Robert's grandson Nathaniel, the new lineage leader is Mrs. Cynthia G. Hupper PS#182, of San Diego, CA. (Ref. Newsletter, 2001 Vol. 38 No. 3, p. 35.) She is a twelfth generation descendant ...
For the Roger line, the new leader is Mrs. Susan J. Gall PS#1331, of Winston Salem, N.C., a thirteenth-generation descendant of Roger Parke (NJ 1682). Her lineage is ... (page 3)
Long-time Society member Mrs. Alice Crandall Park #466, of Washington, D.C., observed her ONE HUNDRED AND THIRD birthday on October 4, 2004. Our sincere congratulations and best wishes on this occasion! We have read that more and more people are living into their tenth and eleventh decades, but it is still a noteworthy achievement.
As reported in the Newsletter, 2002 Vol. 39 No. 2, page 20, Alice Mary Crandall was born on October 4, 2001, at Loda, Illinois, a daughter of Frederick Adam and Sarah Elizabeth Clemens Crandall. Miss Crandall married Lee Isaac Park #121 (1895-1979) on August 29, 1925. A senior partner in the Washington, D.C., law firm of Hamel, Park, McCabe & Saunders, Mr. Park worked as a tax attorney. (Newsletter, 1978 Vol. 15 No. 3, p. 40; 1979 Vol. 16 No. 1, p. 2.) The Parks had two children, Lee Crandall Park, M.D. #834, of Lutherville, MD, and Nancy Alice (Mrs. John W., III) Kern of Westgate, MD, and several grandchildren.
Mrs. Park has earned the gratitude of a number of Park/e/s researchers by publishing, in cooperation with Avis Park Voss, Park/e/s and Bunch on the Trail West, with Allied Families: Benton, Duvall, Foster, Greenwall, Jones, Loveless and Tally (1975) (432 pp., indexed, with charts, Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore, MD) (Newsletter, 1978 Vol. 15 No. 2, p. 22). In the Park line, this work begins with Lee I. Park's ancestor Nathan Park, who was born in 1717 in Hunterdon Co., N.J., married Mary -?-, and died on February 2, 1785, in Rowan Co., N.C. Nathan and Mary had several children, including particularly Charles Park, who was born in Hunterdon Co., N.J., in 1747, moved to Rowan Co., N.C., married Catherine E. Pew, and died in Madison Co., KY, in October of 1820. Nathan followed his son to Rowan County, where he died as mentioned. From Charles, the lineage is from Charles, Jr., through James Quick Park and Guilford Benton Park, to Thomas Benton Park who married Martha Jane Bunch. Thomas and Martha were the parents of Lee I. Park.
What were the origins of Nathan Park? It is difficult to be sure, but ... (page 4)
Upcoming book: I am pleased to announce that PS #1305 William D. Park (The Mystical Gravehunter) plans to have his book of Park family history ready for publication by the birthday of his father, William H. Park, II #1299, in February of 2006. The marking of the occasion will culminate with a celebration to be held on 12 May 2006, the 259th birthday of Ebenezer Park, Sr. This book will cover the history of the ancestors and descendants of Ebenezer Park, Sr. (1747-1839) and his wife Tabitha Mills (1752-1826). Ebenezer's father was John Parke II, grandson to Dr. Roger Parke, Sr., of Hopewell, New Jersey. Dr. Roger Parke, the immigrant, came from Lancashire County, England to Hopewell, New Jersey in 1682. His descendant Ebenezer traveled to Madison Co, KY and Daniel Boone's Station Camp by way of Capon Bridge, WV, and Salisbury, NC. (Lineage Key = K)
Update: Missing Link: Johnny B. Parks (LK=ZY). Swann Parks PS#403 has learned that the records of the Circular Congregational Church in Charleston, SC were lost when it was burned during the Civil War. Swann believes that this is where his ancestor John Parks was married to Elizabeth Carson. (References: Newsletter 2002 Vol. 39 No. 1, pp. 11-12, 14, and 2003 Vol. 40 No. 3, p. 41.)
Missing Link: Churchill, J. #934 compiled Sep. 2003, Missing Links (lineage key=BU) "Samuel & Mary Parks - Possible Ancestor of James W. Parks" Please be aware that the first 3 generations of this lineage lack documentation. We hope that our readers will be able to help Mrs. Wanda Alexander PS# 748, of Appleton, MO, either prove or disprove this 'leap of faith'!
Mrs. Alexander states, "Here in Missouri we have found a record in a local library book that may link us to the ancestors of James, BUT we have no proof." This Samuel1 Parks was born about 1730 and married Mary -?-. Their son, James2 Parks was born ...
Wanda believes that the Will of John Parks in Giles Co., Tennessee, is that of John4. One of his sons was Calvin ...
Sources differ as to the birthplace of James W. Parks and the surname of his wife. Wanda notes that due to county line changes, the home place of James & Margaret was originally part of Warren Co, then Grundy Co, and finally Coffee Co. TN. James and Margaret were both buried on their land. ...
As of now, documentation is needed to prove the early ancestry of this lineage. For more information, please contact Mrs. Wanda Alexander, 204 E. Burbank St, Appleton City, MO 64724-1027.The Scotch-Irish Of Colonial Pennsylvania
This book opens with a brief history of the Scots-Irish in northern Ireland.
King James I of England (reigned 1603-1625) had a plan to make Ulster into a
Protestant community by supplanting the Irish Catholics with people from England
and Scotland. In fact, the English and Scots settlers did a great deal to improve
the land in northern Ireland. The Scots settlers were primarily Presbyterians,
known for their moral character as well as for their abilities in the fields of
education, trade, and business. However, by the early 1700's... (page 7)
Our next Convocation will be held in Salt Lake City on September 22-25, 2005. This will afford us a great opportunity to enjoy meeting other Parke Society folks as well as to accomplish some research at one of the world's largest holdings of genealogy references. We will also have our own research room in the Best Western Salt Lake Plaza Hotel at Temple Square where we have our block of rooms reserved for your lodging and for our events. These events will include two one-hour seminars on genealogical research, a banquet with guest speaker, an orientation tour of the Family History Library, and our Corporate Meetings of course. There will be time to explore the City with its Temple Square and Tabernacle, and to investigate our own resource of lineages filed in our PS Binders to see how our members are related and check that our own family listings are in sync.
It is this last point that raises a special call for your renewed work to see that our valuable PS resource, our Family Group Sheet (FGS) forms, are up to date. Please check, and if revisions are needed since you last sent your completed FGSs to our Historian, this is a good time to do so. That way there will be sufficient time to annotate them and file them in the binders before September. In the members' copies of this issue of the Newsletter, you will find a reproducible FGS. Please make sufficient copies (two sided) of this sheet for your own submissions or revisions. If you are preparing revisions, please lightly pencil onto them the Historian's annotations which were made if these are known (especially the FGS number in the upper right corner). This will facilitate the processing of the sheets for placement in the PS Binders. Also, if you previously sent sheets for your family, please add in the lower right corner a "Rev:" (for "revised") followed by your revision date in pencil.
If you have access to the Internet, we have posted an electronic version of our group sheet (called the eFGS) at our Web site. This is an Acrobat "form" that you can fill in and print out from your computer. An instruction page is provided indicating how to access and process this eFGS. An article further explaining the eFGS can be found in Newsletter 2003 Vol. 40, No. 1, page 9. Both the FGS and the eFGS are gray forms which help to make your entries stand out and easy to read. A reference for the entry of information on either form can be found in Newsletter 1993 Vol. 30, No. 3, page 47.
With your up-to-date FGS in the binders at our Salt Lake City Convocation,
together with the resources of the Family History Library, we hope to have one of
the most rewarding get-togethers ever for our Society! Please do plan to be there!
(page 12)
(Previously published under the title "Check, recheck and triple check information," in the Floridian section of the St. Petersburg Times, St. Petersburg, FL. Contributed by David #13 and Cecilia #535 Parke of Spring Hill, FL.)
Some people don't let facts get in the way of telling a good story. If the story is repeated often enough, it becomes embedded in our minds until fact canšt be separated from fantasy.
A family history can be like that. Family lore may have it that your great-grandmother was an Indian princess. Or your seventh great-grandfather was pals with George Washington. Heck, maybe he was George Washington.
I'm reminded of one family historian who convinced residents of a tiny Northern town ...
These examples show why basing your research on the first document you encounter
could cause you to spend many hours chasing the wrong paper trail.
(page 12)
Ever since its founding in 1947, EVERTON'S has been the preeminent name as a source for genealogical supplies, and a medium for exchange of genealogical information. Their bi-monthly publication, The Genealogical Helper, was a must-have magazine. Running well in excess of 200 pages each issue, and fully indexed as to surnames and locations, it was an indispensable tool for finding new leads and exciting revelations.
But alas, the magazine and organization are no more. As recently as the middle of 2003, they were into the fourth generation of the Everton family as publisher and guiding light. However, they seem to have gone completely out of existence as of the middle of last July.
Everton's was founded in 1947 by Walter Everton, who not only ...
(page 14)
Please join us for the Society's 42nd Annual Convocation! This event offers you a chance to meet and socialize with other Park/e/s, do research using the Society's extensive lineage material in a special research room at the hotel, and explore the vast resources of one of the leading genealogy libraries in the country.
The Best Western Plaza Hotel in Salt Lake City will be the site of the 2005 Convocation. It is conveniently located across the street from the Family History Library, a five-story structure with HUGE genealogy holdings. A Library orientation will be provided on Friday, Sept. 23. Other events include a reception and the Annual Corporate Meeting on Friday, and the banquet on Saturday evening.
Society membership is not required for this event. For further information and to make
reservations, please see the flyer "Parke Society 2005 Convocation" inserted in the member
copies of this issue of the Newsletter. Thanks to our vice president and webmaser,
Curtis H. Parks PS#1166L, for serving as coordinator for the Convocation.
PDP
(page 16)
Enclosures (2)
- Application for the Parke Convocation Sept 22-25, 2005
- FGS (for reproduction, updating, and filing with Historian)