Discovering Our Ancestry Through Spitting!

By 

Angela Stout

As you may remember from our 2022 DNA Update from Tommy Roberts, we continue to learn more and more about our lineage by collecting spit samples from male donors who may be a relative.  Through their spit and genealogy research, Tommy is getting closer and closer to being able to reveal who Joseph Roberts' daddy is!  His promise is to make an announcement on who is Joseph Roberts' daddy at our 2024 Reunion...SO EXCITING!!!  

Significant Roberts research has been done in the area of Buncombe County, North Carolina.  In the late 1700s, there were three male settlers (relatives) who are of interest to our Joseph Roberts.  William Roberts, Henry Roberts and John Roberts, who all were land owners in Buncombe County.  Multiple deeds capture the dates and location of their land.  

Through genealogy research, Tommy is working hard to identify potential male descendants that can reveal lineage to William, Henry and/or John.  He has recently made two trips to Buncombe County, North Carolina and contacted potential male descendants.  He explained what he is trying to do and ask if they would be willing to spit for a Y-700 DNA sample.  Good news is that he has successfully collected three spit samples from David, Greg and Scoville Roberts. 

Here is Tommy Roberts with Scoville Roberts and his son Brian.  

Here is Tommy with Greg and David Roberts.

Spit by spit, Tommy Roberts is getting closer and closer to the all important question of "Who is Joseph's daddy?"