The Culpepper Family DNA Project

Confirm your distant Culpepper ancestry and
help improve the accuracy and reliability
of the Culpepper Family Tree

Overview. Each of us carries DNA that is a combination of genes passed from both our mother and father, giving us traits that range from eye color and height to athleticism and disease susceptibility. An exception to this gene mixture is the Y chromosome, which is passed directly from father to son, unchanged, from generation to generation.

Unchanged, that is, unless a mutation—a random, naturally occurring, usually harmless change—occurs. The mutation, known as a marker, acts as a beacon; it can be mapped through generations because it will be passed down from the man in whom it occurred to his sons, their sons, and every male in his family for many thousands of years. On average, mutations in any given marker used in genealogical DNA testing are estimated to occur only once every 500 generations.

These mutations establish genetic signatures, called haplotypes, that define particular branches within a family tree. The haplotypes of tested individuals can be used to confirm, or alter as necessary, the structure of family trees which in the past had to be based on paper-based historical research, family tradition and logical inferences that could be drawn from them.

Project Background and Goals. Warren Culpepper and Lew Griffin, the publishers of Culpepper Connections, launched the Culpepper Family DNA project in December 2006. Utilizing the leading genealogical-genetic-testing company, Family Tree DNA, our goals are as follows:

1. To confirm, or modify, as appropriate, the structure of the Culpepper Family Tree, giving Culpepper / Culpeper / Colepeper family members the most accurate and reliable information possible on their lineage and how they are related to others who share their surname.

2. To secure a sufficient number of project members to confirm our ancestral theories on every major branch of the family, including at least one project member from (a) each of the branches headed by the 3-great-grandsons of the American Culpepper progenitor: Henry Culpepper of Lower Norfolk, VA, plus (b) any other branches headed by a Culpepper born at least 200 years ago, plus (c) any Caucasian branch headed by someone born before 1880 and whose ancestry is unknown.

3. To protect the privacy of each and every DNA project member. The test results and identities of project members are shown only on password protected web pages, and only if they have granted permission for their names and results to be revealed to others who are close matches. Under no circumstances will we reveal DNA details to those who are not project members. Note: On May 21, 2008, President Bush signed into law the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) which bans employers and insurance companies from denying employment, promotions, or healthcare coverage to people based upon the results of genetic tests.

Should You Join? Have you and your family enjoyed the family stories, old photographs, genealogies, and historical presentations at Culpepper Connections? If so, then joining the Culpepper DNA project will help us to improve the accuracy and usefulness of the Culpepper family tree and website for you and your family. It is a way  to leave a lasting legacy to Culpepper family history, and to say thank you to the many researchers who have contributed to its content.

Qualifications for Free Testing. Free Y-DNA tests are currently available with the following qualifications.

1. You must be a Caucasian male Culpepper, Culpeper, or Colepeper who is in the Culpepper Family Tree and not have a known non-Culpepper in your paternal line. If you are female, you need to find a male Culpepper relative (father, brother, nephew, uncle or cousin) to take the test. If you are a Culpepper male who is not in the family tree, then give us your family information so we can add you.

2. There must not be a descendant of your branch of the family who has already been tested in our project. However, if a close relative was tested and did not match other Culpeppers, then you can still qualify. To see if we are interested in testing your branch, find your individual page in the family tree and then start working backwards to your father, grandfather, etc. Look for a direct ancestor born between 1740 and 1890 with a note near the top of his page that says "DNA Testing Needed"

3. You should contact us before our  funds for the Culpepper DNA project are exhausted. (There is a fund that has been raised to support free testing, but it is fast being depleted.)

If free testing is not available for your line, but you are a male Culpepper, then you are eligible to join our project and pay for the testing yourself ($99 for a basic 12 marker test; $189 for 37 markers, or $269 for a 67-marker test.)

Testing Process. When you join the project, a small packet will be sent to you by the testing lab. You swab the inside of your cheeks a few times, put the swab in a tiny tube they supply, drop it in the pre-paid return envelope, and you're done.

Currently, we are testing new project members on 37 Y-DNA markers. The initial results are usually available in six weeks. Then, if (a) you match one or more of our other project members on at least 33 out of 37 markers, and (b) we need to identify more precisely the exact DNA signature of your branch, and (c) we have sufficient funds available, we may elect to test additional markers. The further testing will also be at no charge and no additional DNA sample will be required.

Project Results. Thus far, the DNA tests have confirmed that over 91% of those in our project are members of one of the main lines of Culpeppers. In the process, the subtle details of their Y-DNA test have improved the accuracy of the Culpepper family tree and our knowledge of how we are related to each other. For more information, see our detailed description of our project's results to date, including the branches identified: Project Results (Narrative)

How to Join. Send to warren@culpepper.com the following: (1) your full name, (2) mailing address, (3) phone number and (4) either your Family Tree ID# or the full name of your father. After verifying your eligibility, we will have a test kit sent to you.

Ancient Ancestral Journey. To learn about the 60,000 year history and migration of our Culpepper ancestors from Africa to the Middle East to the Balkans to Europe,  go to Culpepper Ancient Ancestral Journey.

Contribute. If you would like to contribute financially, making it possible for more Culpeppers to join, go to Contribute to the Culpepper General Fund for DNA Testing.

Y-DNA Glossary of Terms. For a better understanding of DNA terminology, see DNA Glossary.

Frequently Asked Questions. To put your mind at ease about such questions as: (1) Could my test results be used against me in some way, or (2) Could my DNA results reveal any medical conditions?... see Frequently Asked Questions

Culpepper Project Questions. Address specific questions about the Culpepper Family DNA project to its Project Administrator: Warren Culpepper warren@culpepper.com.