We are small group of genealogists who for many years have been researching Abernathy families in the United States who resided in several southeastern Virginia counties. We have found that there are at least three apparently separate branches of Abernathys in the area. The earliest known ancestors for the three branches are: Charles, whose birth year we estimate at 1720 or before; David, whose birth year we estimate at 1706 or before; and Robert, who is known to have arrived in the colonies in the early 1652.

Our initial objective was to determine if these three lines are related to each other and if so, to find some clues as to how they were related and possibly when they diverged from a common ancestor.

There are also Abernathy/Abernethy lines that are presumed to have early roots in colonial times which may or may not be related to the three lines we have spent so much time researching. One member of our research group is presently exploring several of these lines and they too are naturally to be included in the project. We are hoping to contact descendants from every line and ask them to volunteer to be tested, however all Abernathy/Abernethy men of direct descent, regardless of whom they descend from or what country thier line resided in, are invited to join the project.

The DNA being tested is on the Y-Chromosome, which is passed virtually unchanged from father to son. Y-DNA testing is often used by genealogists to exclude a relationship between lineages as well as to prove one when the paper trail is missing. A participant’s DNA would be expected to match almost exactly with multitudes of men who are descended from the same common ancestor as he.

A very simple and non-invasive test kit is used to gather DNA. The sample is then sent off for analysis by an accredited laboratory. The participant will be notified of the results as soon as they are available. When those results are also posted to our Website, they will be available for interested individuals to view, but your privacy can be fully protected at your discretion.

If you are an Abernathy or Abernethy male, we hope you will consider joining the Abernathy DNA Project. Others who are interested in furthering the project can help by locating a qualified Abernathy descendant and encouraging him to be tested, and/or by financially sponsoring a volunteer. (Unfortunately the cost is not inconsiderable.)

We are, in no particular order, Margaret Ogilvie (in California), Elizabeth Ferguson (in Florida), and Ellyn Sutton (in Arizona). All of us have been doing genealogy for at least 10 years, possibly longer. We have also relied on the excellent work of John Abernathy Smith, historian and heir to the extensive notes and research materials of, among others, Elizabeth Denty Abernathy, whose series of articles in a Pulaski TN newspaper in the early 1900's are much studied.

Margaret Ogilvie               Elizabeth Ferguson               Ellyn Sutton