The Cheek/Chick DNA Project

Every male human being has a piece of DNA called the Y-chromosome that he inherits only from his father.  Through the science of DNA testing, the Y-chromosomes from different men can be compared to determine whether or not those men had a common male ancestor.  The benefit of this technology to genealogy is obvious!

If you are direct male-line Cheek or Chick descendant, please consider participating in our DNA study.  We hope that this study will reveal whether the various families in the United States with the Cheek and Chick surnames are the descendants of a common immigrant ancestor.  We are especially interested in the Cheeks who originally lived in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, but anyone named Cheek or Chick is welcome to participate.  Not only will you be assisting in Cheek/Chick genealogy research, you will also obtain valuable information about your "DNA lineage" such as your male ancestors' possible ethnic origins.  DNA testing cannot tell you exactly where your ancestors came from, but some genetic "markers" are more common in certain parts of the world than others.

First the good news -- DNA testing is easy and painless. The Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) company will mail you a test kit. You simply swab the inside of your mouth with a couple of big Q-tips, put them in some nice little plastic tubes and mail them back to the company. Testing is done at the University of Arizona and is state-of-the-art.

Now the bad news -- DNA testing is not free. We strongly encourage participants to purchase either the 25-marker or 37-marker test. The cost is $148 for the 25-marker test or $189 for the 37-marker test, plus shipping, paid to the Family Tree DNA Company. As the administrators, we have no personal financial interest in the project; we do not receive commissions, "comps," expenses, or any other form of compensation or remuneration from the Family Tree DNA Company.

The Yahoo group is for anyone who would like to keep apprised of our progress, whether you can personally participate or not.

Results of the study will be posted on this webpage. To protect the confidentiality of the participants, no one will be identified here by name. Test results, however, will be shared. You also have the option of making your name, email address, and results available to other participants through the FTDNA website by signing the waiver form that comes with the test kit. As the Project Administrators, we have access to the names and addresses of everyone who has signed up for the project, but we will not reveal this information unless you authorize us to do so. Please note, we do NOT have access to payment information, credit card numbers, etc. -- payment arrangements are strictly between you and the FTDNA company.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Cheek DNA Project Admistrators.