I continue to research my ancestors with emphasis on the Chancey, Brooking, Wright, and Ellis Families. Currently, my paper trail on the Chancey family, which I believe to be correct, identifies my elder ancestor as Jeremiah Chancey. Jeremiah died in 1861 at his homestead in Clinch County Georgia at the age of 78.

 

For years, the trail that might lead me to Jeremiah's ancestors remained elusive. I had bits and pieces of the puzzle however I had no clue as to how I would put the pieces together or even if the pieces were really part of my family of ancestors. Then along came Genetic y-Chromosome DNA which was defined as "(in humans and other mammals) a sex chromosome that is normally present only in male cells." For genealogy this occurrence was important since the chromosome might go several or more generations without change. This meant that it is possible for me to have the same DNA as a direct male ancestor had many generations ago or at minimum, a DNA with a very slight change. I have further explanation of DNA and it's importance elsewhere in this web site.

 

Genetic y-Chromosome DNA saw it's popularity skyrocket several years ago when it began to confirm the paper trail for many of those males researching their family history. It also confirmed a great many false trails which actually turned some people away from DNA. After years of research, y-Chromosome test results indicated that the paper trail was other that their research findings indicated. To put it another way, the test results indicated that I was related to Robert as my paper trail indicated or the test results said that my family was not part of Roberts family and my paper trail was not as I had recorded it.

 

For the families of Chancey, DNA confirmed there was at least five of those families related (descendants of 5 different elder Chancey ancestors were y-Chromosome DNA tested). Those five Chancey elder ancestors are:

 

(1) John Chancey born circa 1765 - Found in Bladen County North Carolina.

 

(2) John Chancey born circa 1797- Found in Bladen County NC and Ducktown Tennessee.

 

(3) Jeremiah Chancey born 1782 - Found in Mc Intosh County Georgia.

 

(4) Samuel Chancey born circa 1800 - Found in Appling County Georgia.

 

(5) Christopher Chancey born circa 1800 - Found in Appling county Georgia.

 

Unfortunately, as much as DNA has helped us with confirming our paper trail, it cannot tell us how we are related, only that we are related within several generations. DNA did however indicate that Jeremian 1782 was closely related to the two John Chancey's, but not so close to Samuel and Christopher. It also indicated that Samuel and Christopher were closely related.

 

This is but one piece of the puzzle although an important piece. Once again, if you are interested in the individual pieces of the puzzle and how I think they fit together identifying the ancestors of Jeremiah Chancey, please follow this link:

 

The Puzzle - How I Believe All The Pieces Fit Together