Chandler atDNA Project

The Chandler Family Association is built on a love of family history, connection, and the legacies we share. The CFA Executive Committe voted in 2024 to provide an exciting new opportunity for many of us. They did this by supporting the creation of a new CFA Project that uses Chandler descendant’s Autosomal DNA, often shortened to atDNA, to assist in Chandler family research, to deepen our understanding of our family roots, to preserve the DNA legacy we carry of our Chandler ancestors, and to discover new Chandler cousins around the world. This action was taken in responce to CFA member requests to support such a program so that a powerful tool that many of us have been using for a very long time could be put to better use for Chandler research. This initiative is especially meaningful for those of us who have Chandler ancestors and carry Chandler DNA, but are not direct line male Chandlers who can contribute to our foundational “Chandler DNA Project”. It also offers a DNA research avenue to those who know from the Chandler DNA Project which Y-DNA Chandler Group they belong to, but have hit a brick wall with their Chandler research only a few generations into the past.

What Is Autosomal DNA

Most of our body’s cells store our inherited DNA in the cell’s nucleus. This nuclear DNA has 23 chromosome pairs. Chromosome pair #23 is the “sex chromosome” where males have a Y chromosome that is used in Y-DNA testing [as in our Chandler DNA Project] because it can be passed relatively unchanged from father to son over hundreds of years.

atDNA on the other hand, is the type of DNA we inherit from both our mother and father and includes the chromosome pairs from #1 to #22. atDNA is a blend of genetic material from many but not all of your ancestors over many generations. Half of our atDNA comes from each parent, and about 25% of our DNA comes from each grandparent. But the randomized process of DNA inheritance, called genetic recombiination, means that you don’t inherit equal amounts of each grandparent’s DNA. And by 10-12 generations, you will have no detectable DNA from many of your 10th great grandparents.

atDNA can be especially valuable for genealogy because it can:

• Show how closely you are related to other people who have tested.

• Identify shared ancestors within the last 5–7 generations.

• Help confirm traditional family history research with scientific evidence.

• Reveal previously unknown connections, such as distant cousins who share your Chandler lineage.

atDNA has Limitations

• Distant connections may be unclear: Matches beyond 6–7 generations can be difficult to interpret.

• atDNA includes DNA from hundreds of Ancestors: Separating out Chandler information is challenging.

• Endogamy (cousins marrying cousins): This can make relationships appear closer than they are.

• Incomplete picture: your atDNA can’t tell you everything—it requires extensive traditional genealogy for background, and benefits especially from Y-DNA testing.

Why It Matters for the Chandler Family Association

By combining many Chandler members’ atDNA results, we can:

• Preserve Chandler DNA information – we want to avoid losing our DNA legacy. Every time a Chandler descendant dies without saving a record of their DNA heritage, it is lost forever.

• Confirm and strengthen our family tree with scientific evidence.

• Solve some long-standing mysteries in the Chandler lineage.

• Connect branches of the family who may not yet know they are related.

• Build a more complete and accurate picture of our shared heritage.

For example, imagine discovering that your DNA connects you with a Chandler cousin across the country who descends from the same great-great-grandparents. These discoveries bring our history to life in a deeply personal way.

How You Can Participate

We warmly invite every Chandler Family Association member to join our autosomal DNA project! Here’s how you can get started:

1. Take an Autosomal DNA test with a major DNA testing company such as AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, or MyHeritage.

2. Download your raw DNA file to your computer (your testing company provides this option).

3. Open a free account at GEDmatch.com – Share your information with our project administrator. We’ll provide simple, step-by-step instructions and assist with interpretting your results.

4. Enjoy the discoveries! You’ll learn more about your own family connections while contributing to the bigger Chandler story.

Your Privacy Matters

We know that sharing DNA information can feel personal. That’s why our project is built on trust, transparency,and care:

• Participation is voluntary.

• We use DNA information only for genealogical research.

• No personal details are shared outside the project without your consent.

Join Us Today

The Chandler Family Association’s Autosomal Project is more than science—it’s a way to connect with cousins, preserve our legacy, and strengthen our family ties. We already have over 270 individuals participating in a pilot project that started several years ago. Every new participant adds an important piece to the Chandler puzzle!

Be part of this exciting journey. Share your atDNA results and help us uncover the rich history of the Chandler family!

Together, we can ensure that the Chandler story continues to grow, connecting past, present, and future generations.

Project Administrator: Glen Smith, CFA VPres