Billie Harris - Jul 25, 2008
As an update, the results of Jay Lewallen's DNA has been received and has been posted on the DNA informational page in the History section. Jay's is the fourth DNA we've received and at this point, there are four different Lewallen/Llewellyn, etc. lines.
Carol Lewallen is a new member of this site and her dad will be doing a test for us. He descends from Anderson Lewallen born 1764 in Prince Edward County through Anderson's son, Andrew born 1793 Wake County, N.C. and died 1873 Scott County, Tennessee. We're excited to get someone from this line to test so thanks, Carol.
There are three Llewellyns who are testing. There was another Llewellyn who tested and the results are also posted on the DNA informational page. His test wasn't conducted through FamilyTreeDNA and although I've asked him for his line, he hasn't given it to me so I can't say who his earliest ancestor was.
To each person who has tested and who is now testing, my deepest and most sincere THANKS. Even though we may wonder why bother since there have been no matches, let me assure you that what you've done and are doing is very important. We're establishing a database of DNAs for these surnames and rest assured there will be matches once we have more individuals test. When matches occur, it's then a matter of us finding paper trails to connect the two families - and it can be done, believe me.
We desperately need more lines to test so we can try to connect some of these families. If any of you who have a surname of Llewellyn, Lewallen, Lewellen, Luallen, Lewelling, etc. would like to test or if you know of someone with the surname who might test for us, please contact me.
Billie Harris - Jul 28, 2008
Larry Lewallen's DNA has just been updated in the History section. His 12 marker test was upgraded to 25 markers. Go to the History section and in the Search History blank, type in DNA, then click "go" to the right and the posting with DNA information will come up.
Billie Harris - Jul 29, 2008
Incidentally, according to FamilyTreeDNA and in doing a YSearch, it seems there are several Smiths who've tested and their DNAs match with Larry's (my line, too). I've e-mailed some of those who have matched and asked about their ancestors. In looking through the book, it does appear there were some Smith women who married into the Lewallen family, but whether it's "our" Lewallen" family or not, I don't know but I'll definitely be giving this more thought, and it may be necessary that Larry's DNA be upgraded to 37 markers to rule out (or rule in) the Smith connection.
Billie Harris - Jul 29, 2008
More good news. We now have a descendant who is from the William Lewelling (died 1799 Randolph County, N.C.) line who will do a DNA test for us. This was the Quaker family who were also horticulturists. I suspect this family will be connected to at least one of those of you on this site, however, unless we have more DNA tests done, we may never know.
Although they're not members of this site because they aren't into genealogy but their mother was and they're doing this because they know she would have wanted to help if she was alive, we have the St. Helena, CA. family to thank for locating a candidate to test for us.
If anyone is interesting in starting a DNA fund to help pay for some of the tests, please let me know.
Billie Harris - Jul 31, 2008
And more good news. Martha Lewallen's husband has consented to do a DNA for us. He's from the Banks County, GA. line. I'm not sure if there were one or two different lines of Lewallens in Banks County so perhaps someone could clarify that for us who's connected with them.
Martha, please express our appreciation to your husband.
Billie Harris - Jul 31, 2008
Update: As of now because of DNA tests we've have four different lines of Llewellyn/Lewellyn/Lewallen, etc.
(1) Wiley/Wylie Lewallen who was born ca 1795 N.C.
(2) John Lewallen who was born 1780 Loudoun County
(3) Thomas Marian Lewallen born 1846 Giles County, TN
(4) William Llewellyn, no information
Those lines that are either now testing or will be testing are:
(1) Anderson Lewallen, born 1764 Prince Edward County, VA
(2) Thomas Llewellyn born 1771 VA and died 1861 N.C.
(3) William Lewelling, died 1799 Randolph County, N.C.
(4) John Lewallen, born 1841 and died Banks County, GA.
It will be interesting to see if any of those now testing will connect to any who've already tested, and it should help in connecting lines if they do.
Bill Crawford - Jul 31, 2008
That's great news. Thanks Martha and Jerry.
Martha is the one that first informed me about two different lines in Banks Co. I'm still hoping we can locate Dennis Lewallen and others from the other line and invite them to join us.