DNA PROJECT
Language and name experts have hypothesised that the surnames of  Vine, Vines, Viner, and Viney may have arisen from a common ancestor or family since the beginning of the patronymic naming system about a thousand years ago. A long term DNA testing project on cell samples from such families has been commenced to obtain evidence of genetic relationships for genealogical purposes. Contact Fred Vines

OBJECTIVES

• To test whether persons of these names are genetically related by being descendants from one common ancestor.
• To differentiate genetic families and establish a benchmark or typical haplotype for each line.
• To validate genealogy established from evidence provided by official church and state records of births, deaths, marriages, wills, land ownership, military and other historical records and physical indications such as written on burial memorials.
• To test the validity of family legends of relationships.
• To indicate which family lines may benefit by further collaboration in their research.
• To set up a genetic family data base for future researchers use.

The Technology
The basis for DNA technology used for these objectives is:

• The DNA of the Y chromosome, one of the 23rd chromosome pair in males, found in the nucleus of the human cell, differs between unrelated males. It is passed from father to son only, with little mutational change over long periods of time. The surname in the patronymic naming system generally follows the Y chromosome DNA.
• The DNA of the mitochondria in the cell, (but outside of the nucleus,) which control the use of sugar and oxygen to release energy, is passed only from mother to child. It is very useful for showing population movements in the past.
• Mutational changes within the Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA can be used to estimate time back to a common ancestor. 

Participation
This is a long term project intended to assist historians of all Vines and variant family names; participation is invited. It necessitates comparison of Y DNA from living males of these surnames, and will define the various Vines family lines. A few males of different surnames may be included when circumstances indicate that they may have descended directly with name change from Vines. As time passes it may be necessary to widen the list to include other related names or to hive off a name to form a separate group. 

• You must be over 18 years old, male with the surname of Vines, Vine, Vigne, Viner or Viney and other acceptable variants. 
• You should provide a pedigree or known history of paternal ancestry for at least 4 generations, without name change or adoption from outside the genetic line. 
• You must have an email address for communications and delivery of test results.
• To join, contact Fred Vines. On acceptance for association with the project as a genuine family line you will be given the internet address for a test order form from FTDNA testing company at Houston, Texas, which allows the reduced test price for group members.
• The standard test for Y chromosome DNA, which is inherited by males only from their fathers, costs US$169 plus $2-$4 for postage according to location. Payment can be made safely on the form by credit card from most countries. Other tests for mitochondrial DNA, inherited only from mothers, and tests for recent ethnic origins are also supported by this project, see FTDNA home page for full details.
• A sampling  kit will be sent to your mailing address. It contains two scraper-swabs, two tiny vials, an addressed return envelope and instructions. 
• The sample is taken at home by rubbing the swab around the inside of the cheeks and gums for a minute and absorbing saliva and cells. The scraper is detached directly into the vial, to be sealed and posted off to the laboratory.  No pain or blood is involved and the process takes only a few minutes.
• The test does not find health problems or genetic defects nor does it indicate the life expectancy or age at death. 
• The tests require 4 to 8 weeks from reception at the lab. Results will be made available on a secure web site, after notice by email that they are ready. FTDNA will also include them in their database. If they find that a result matches any already in the database the testee will be informed.
• All results for this project will be reported also in the table on this website under Results and discussed on this website. Participants will be identified by the test kit number, and made known to each other initially by mutual consent through me as group administrator. See also the website for FTDNA

• An unmarried daughter in a family might have her illegimate child carry her family name, but the son would not have the Y DNA of her father.
• A man might raise his dead sisters child in his own name, but the child would have different genetics to his nominal father. 
• A child resulting from an illicit union within a marriage may or may not have the Y DNA of his nominal father, depending on the relationship of the real father to the nominal father, eg  a brother, paternal uncle or cousin etc., would have identical Y DNA to the nominal father and a false paternity record would not be detected.
• The marriage of a man to a woman pregnant by another, is a not uncommon cause for unrecorded lineage and unexpected DNA test results. 
• It should be remembered that these surnames are relatively rare and even though false paternity may be proved by this project, the fact of carrying the name shows probability of family association of some sort. The actual history may be different to the documentary or legendary evidence.