DNA

Workgroup Name: DNA – Start Date: 12/15/2025

Scope and Research Question: Promotes Y-DNA testing of all surname Clays, reviews project join requests, adds new test results to the appropriate FamilyTreeDNA Clay Project Subgroup, updates Earliest Know Clay Ancestor (EKCA) Haplogtrees and The Ancient Clays Haplotree.

Type of Workgroup: DNA, Lineage & Records

Evidence Domains: DNA evidence, Analytical synthesis

Coordinator: John S. Clay
The coordinator facilitates workgroup organization, records management and annual report submission to membership.

Collaboration Norms – Participants agree to:
1. Cite sources clearly and consistently
2. Distinguish evidence from interpretation
3. Preserve minority or competing hypotheses when evidence is inconclusive
4. Treat all contributions as provisional unless supported by evidence

Outputs and Reporting
Research notes, DNA interpretations, Open questions and Articles for the POC newsletter. This workgroup will summarize progress for the board when directed and broader membership annually in June.

Duration and Review
Ongoing – will submit findings periodically in the POC newsletter, at Bienneal Business Meetings, and once every year to CFS membership.
This Workgroups may be revised, merged, or concluded as research questions evolve.