Billie Harris - Dec 2, 2008
We've received the results of the upgrade of Dennis Lewallen's DNA to 37 markers. Dennis is a descendant of Wiley Lewallen and as we know, his DNA also matches with those who've tested for the lines of Anderson, William and the Banks County family.
One of my interests in getting this upgrade was to see if it would eliminate the matches of those who are Smiths. With the 37 markers, there are three that differ from the various Smiths who've tested with 37 markers, too. Of special interest though, is that there are only two markers that differ and the surnames for those are Dennis and Stradford.
I've corresponded with the individual who descends from the Dennis line. His earliest known ancestor is Elijah Dennis born 1829 Georgia and died 1891 DeKalb County, Alabama. It's believed Elijah's father was William Blackwood Dennis of Coweta County, Georgia and his grandfather was Samuel Dennis also of Cowela County, GA.
In searching for information on Elijah, however, I don't believe William Blackwood Dennis was his father and instead believe it was Joel Dennis born Dec. 17, 1811; Joel was the son of John Dennis and the grandson of Jacob Dennis who was born 1776 South Carolina (perhaps Newberry County) and his wife Elizabeth. Joel Dennis lived in Harris County, Georgia 1840.
If anyone has a Dennis or Stradford in your family, would you please let me know. Or a Smith, too, for that matter, but with thee markers differing, I'd be inclined to say there isn't a connection. Two markers differing could be mutations but at this point, I'd eliminate those with a three marker difference unless they have the same surname.
Bill will be updating the DNA chart when he has a chance.