It goes without saying that every genealogist wants to know who their ancestors were. Of all the tools that have been developed, genetic genealogy is one of the most powerful to have come along in a century. When robust and numerous results are present, researchers can greatly narrow their search, and very often solve centuries-old mysteries. When the results are there but not available—and not even a viable interface with the public provided—the researcher is at a stand-still. To her, the project might as well not exist.

This is the case with the McDowell DNA Project. As recently as 11 January 2012, the administrator has vowed to keep it closed. Their insistence on making their work available only to McDowell testers has provided the motivation I needed for creating the Alternate McDowell DNA Project.

Fortunately, a sizable percentage of McDowell testers have made their results available to www.ysearch.org. Although ysearch provides valuable raw data, its form is lacking and the site can be difficult to use. I have mirrored that data and I'm in the process of working it so that it may one day prove to be of value to all McDowell researchers.

Michael Cooley
15 January 2012