Helm / Helme / Helms Surname DNA project
In October 2005, the Helm/Helme/Helms Surname DNA project was initiated. The goals established for the project include (1) discovering the number of common ancestors bearing the Helm/Helme/Helms and similar surnames; (2) establishing how the various lines bearing the surnames are related; (3) determining how the families within the United States are related to those families located elsewhere in the World; (4) connecting individuals with the surname who have not established their ancestry with those families with established ancestry; (5) deriving genetic footprints for the various family lines -- to be used to match future researchers with family lines established by the project.
As of January 2006, the project has 29 members representing 14 family lines. These lines include:
Christopher Helme of Rhode Island
Georg Helm of Virginia
George Helms of North Carolina
Jacob Helm of Gammelsbach, Germany
Jonathan Helms of North Carolina
Leonard Helm of Virginia
Littleton Helm of South Carolina
Moses Helm of Pennsylvania/Virginia
Peter Helm of Grevenmacher Luxembourg
Robert Helme of Lancashire, England
Thomas Helme of New York
Tilman Helms of North Carolina
William Helme of Lancashire, England
William Jasper Helms of Tennessee
The project is now focusing on getting a wider representation of participants from families located outside of the United States.
The test is quite easy. It requires swabbing the cheek with two swabs and mailing the test into the testing company who analyzes the results -- the project selected FamilyTreeDNA as its testing service. The 12 marker Y-DNA test cost $99 U.S. dollars (at our group rate) has been the test for the pilot study. However, we are moving to the 25-marker test ($169 U.S.) as our standard to get a clearer definition of the relationships between family lines. Either test is fine and the participant can always upgrade the test to more markers up to 37 at a later date. Participants need to be direct male descendants possessing the Helm/Helme/Helms or similar surname
An individual can participate by following this link.
It will take you to a screen where they can order the test kit.
http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=W87869
For additional information on the project, please contact:
Matthew Helm
project coordinator