Is DNA The Answer by Don Munro

Foulis Castle

In my last post Margaret Bardin gave us the history of our DNA Project. This is my novice answer to the question “Is DNA The Answer?” For some of us it certainly is, and more of us really need to be tested. I divide us into two groups – in group 1 are the ones like me who have reached our brick wall in the 1700s or 1800s and in group 2 are the lucky ones who have already managed to trace their tree back to the Foulis line – how lucky can you get?

Group 1: Obviously, the best result would be to find that our DNA matches the Foulis line but of course, not all of us will not be able to do that and some will be disappointed. I have had my DNA tested and I am one of the lucky ones in this group as it would seem that my DNA matches those Munros descended from one of the early Munro Barons. How on earth do the researchers manage to do that? They are able to do it because they have tested the DNA of a Munro who can prove that, in my case, he is descended from one of the Munro Barons and my DNA results match his. That is a very simple analysis and I will get experts to better inform you about that.

Why should my DNA go back to the Foulis line? I come from a very ordinary family, my father was in the Air Force and our family lived in a council house. The answer may lie with my earliest ancestor, as census records show that he was a tacksman of Ardross. A tacksman worked for the landowner, possibly the Chief or one of his relatives, collecting rents, etc., and he was also usually a relative. So far, I have not been able to prove the connection.

Why should Group 1 get their DNA tested? That’s easy – they have reached a dead end and at last we have the means to take us back hundreds of years to a result that we can not get in any other way.

Group 2: The lucky ones whose research has brought them to the Foulis line by conventional research and they are so important to the project. Their DNA can prove to be an important step in finding more Munros whose DNA match with them and so prove that they too are related to the Foulis line. Let me know if you are part of this group and I will put you in contact with Margaret Bardin and DeAnn Monroe Steely co-ordinators of the project who can tell you more.

Why should Group 2 bother being tested when they already know where they come from? Two reasons – 1: this is the final step that will prove their research is accurate – I know that all of us interested genealogy need to know that all the information we have gathered is correct and until DNA research there was no way we could do that and 2: they will be playing an important part in furthering Munro DNA research and who would not be proud to do that.