SHUMAN DNA Project

Welcome to the

For all those who are researching the surname SHUMAN in its numerous spellings, including but not limited to SCHUMAN, SCHUMANN, SCHEMAN, SEWMAN, SHEMAN, SHEWMAN, SHOEMAN, SHUEMAN, SHÖMAN, and SUMAN.

Why we are undertaking this Project

Join the Shuman DNA Project

Make a Donation to the Shuman DNA Project

Results of Shuman DNA Testing

Questions About DNA Testing

DNA Test Kit Contents & Pictures

Privacy Statement

DNA 101: Y-Chromosome Testing

Researchers in the US have long been stymied in attempting to link the numerous "families" bearing the Shuman surname. Ours seems to have been largely a group who preferred not to leave many records, either of who they were or where they had been.

The frequent success stories about matching DNA for genealogical purposes prompt us to make use of this new tool. We may sometimes simply confirm what we have found in our paper trail, but in cases where there is no documentation to prove our ancestry, we may discover our heritage.

The success of this Project depends on the number of participants who join our testing group and on the documentation about each line giving names, dates and locations of birth, death, marriage, etc. As the number of participants increases, we will learn more and more regarding European origins, family relationships, and possible targets for further traditional research.

Please contact as many other family researchers as you can and encourage their participation in our Project to help ensure its success.

Participating in the Shuman DNA Project provides:

each participant's genetic DNA, which will be very close (and is sometimes identical) to that of his earliest known ancestor
each participant's "deep" ancestry (haplogroup), which identifies the paternal ancestor's prehistoric origins
a sense of camaraderie, which is particularly strong for those who share a genetic ancestry
stimulation to further family research and renewed sharing of information
a wider sense of identity and relationship, as we begin to realize how much we are a worldwide family
a chance to compare our genetic ancestry with others of our surname and the spelling variations
access to people with genetic matches who do not share our common surname
the knowledge to understand our ancestors better — particularly where the records have been lost

What to expect from this Project:

The testing will be for the Y-chromosome that is passed only from father to son. Therefore, the testing requires a male with the surname of Shuman or one of its spelling variations. If your name is not one of the variations of the Shuman surname or if you are a female researcher, you can ask your closest Shuman male relative to participate.

Family Tree DNA of Houston, Texas is our testing company. This company is a leader in the field and is associated with Dr. Michael Hammer, Ph.D., Geneticist, Associate Research Scientist in the Division of Biotechnology at the University of Arizona.

The testing laboratory will be analyzing either the 12 or 37 markers on the Y-chromosome. If the markers of two or more individuals match, that will indicate they descend from a common Shuman ancestor. However, it will not identify the specific ancestor.

The 12 marker Y-DNA test will find many matches, some of which may not turn out to be close enough to be of value. It is our opinion that the 37 marker Y-DNA test is much better at reporting the kind of data we need to determine if we are related. However, which test to order is a personal decision.

Participants can upgrade from the 12 marker to the 37 marker test at a later date, if desired, although the total cost would be a bit more and it might cause a delay in obtaining the final results.

How to participate in this Project:

To join our group and to help answer your questions, the links at the left will take you to FamilyTreeDNA.com. You must download the Application and Consent form that will be required before the results of your test can be posted to this site.

A basic ancestry chart of your Shuman family from the earliest known Shuman to you, the participant, is required. This is to identify each line and assign an ID#.

Interested family members are also invited to make donations to the Shuman DNA Project by clicking on the link provided on the left. Such funding helps defray expenses for individuals who may be unable to provide their own funding, but whose DNA would be an asset to the Project's research efforts, especially when it is determined that upgrades would be valuable.

Contacting friends and distant family members who may not have heard of this opportunity is always welcome, especially while the FT DNA discounts are in effect.

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