The DeFreest Family Genealogy
Kevin DeFreest
Contents
Introduction
Please read this if you are here for geneology information:
Please note that I can only guarantee with 100% accuracy, the information on MY direct line of ancestry. That means from Van Alphin DeFreest (1860 - 1904) back. Please don't ask me to prove a branch that I am distantly related to. I have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information and I am always striving to make corrections whenever I discover a mistake. I have spent years researching this information and have spent too much time and money putting all this together. It has been a wonderful experience for me and hopefully a wonderful experience for all those that have found the information usefull. I hope I can continue to provide access to this site for many years to come. I think it has been a gold mine for many researchers. This site is intended to give some of you a starting place in your research. For others it may simply be to expand on what you already know or have. It is up to you, the researcher to take what you see here and look into finding the correct proof of lineage. Look for Birth, Death or Marriage Certificates. Baptismal records, Census records etc. Ancestry.com is a good place to look for a lot of information. I DO NOT have copies of vital records on every individual listed. If you do see a mistake, PLEASE let me know, I do want this accurate.
A note concerning GEDCOM files:
I receive MANY requests for gedcoms of my geneology data. While I understand where you are coming from, you must also understand, as I said earlier, I have spent a lot of money and time putting this together. I have never asked anyone for a gedcom file. This has been my own research, however, I have received much information from many people through e-mail and snail mail and have always entered the infomation manually. Also, because the file contains over 10,000 people, some of whom are still living, I do NOT want anything to slip through that should not. I do respect peoples privacy. That said, please do not ask me for a copy of the gedcom file. The information is here for you to copy if you wish to do so.
DNA Testing
Well, I finally took the initiative to have my DNA tested at DNA Heritage. I would like to encourage anyone that has the surname DeFreest, DeFriest, DeForest or any of the other variations of the name to go to DNA Heritage (http://www.dnaheritage.com) and get the Surname DNA Test. Or, you can join the DeForest surname project. To join the surname project go to DNA Heritage and on the right side of the page you will see search by surname. Fill in DeForest or DeFreest and click search. A brief description of the project and the markers used for the test are on this page. At the bottom of the page you will find the area for your information. DNA Heritage sends you a test kit which contains 2 cotton swabs. You then take the 2 cotton swabs and rub them on the inside of your cheeks and gums. Just follow the directions that come with the kit. It is painless. You then send the cotton swabs back to DNA Heritage and within 3 to 4 weeks you will be notified of the results. I had this test done with another individual with the last name DeForest, we were NOT a match. However, I have been in contact, with another DeForest, who had his DNA tested with another company and we are almost a perfect match. Our common ancestor is Isaac DeForest (1616-1674). For me, Isaac is my 8th GGF. If you are curious about your connection with the DeFreest, DeForest family this may be the way to prove your connection. I would also like to say, I am in NO WAY connected to DNA Heritage and do NOT receive any funds or any other form of incentive for sending someone to them. It just happens to be the company I used for the test. You can of course, use any DNA testing company you wish. Family Tree is another popular company. DNA testing is very new to me, so I do not have all the answers, but would like to see more participation from the DeFreest, DeForest families so we can prove our connection. I must also point out that this test is good for males only.
Please note that I can only guarantee with 100% accuracy, the information on MY direct line of ancestry. That means from Van Alphin DeFreest (1860 - 1904) back. Please don't ask me to prove a branch that I am distantly related to. I have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of this information and I am always striving to make corrections whenever I discover a mistake. I have spent years researching this information and have spent too much time and money putting all this together. It has been a wonderful experience for me and hopefully a wonderful experience for all those that have found the information usefull. I hope I can continue to provide access to this site for many years to come. I think it has been a gold mine for many researchers. This site is intended to give some of you a starting place in your research. For others it may simply be to expand on what you already know or have. It is up to you, the researcher to take what you see here and look into finding the correct proof of lineage. Look for Birth, Death or Marriage Certificates. Baptismal records, Census records etc. Ancestry.com is a good place to look for a lot of information. I DO NOT have copies of vital records on every individual listed. If you do see a mistake, PLEASE let me know, I do want this accurate.
A note concerning GEDCOM files:
I receive MANY requests for gedcoms of my geneology data. While I understand where you are coming from, you must also understand, as I said earlier, I have spent a lot of money and time putting this together. I have never asked anyone for a gedcom file. This has been my own research, however, I have received much information from many people through e-mail and snail mail and have always entered the infomation manually. Also, because the file contains over 10,000 people, some of whom are still living, I do NOT want anything to slip through that should not. I do respect peoples privacy. That said, please do not ask me for a copy of the gedcom file. The information is here for you to copy if you wish to do so.
DNA Testing
Well, I finally took the initiative to have my DNA tested at DNA Heritage. I would like to encourage anyone that has the surname DeFreest, DeFriest, DeForest or any of the other variations of the name to go to DNA Heritage (http://www.dnaheritage.com) and get the Surname DNA Test. Or, you can join the DeForest surname project. To join the surname project go to DNA Heritage and on the right side of the page you will see search by surname. Fill in DeForest or DeFreest and click search. A brief description of the project and the markers used for the test are on this page. At the bottom of the page you will find the area for your information. DNA Heritage sends you a test kit which contains 2 cotton swabs. You then take the 2 cotton swabs and rub them on the inside of your cheeks and gums. Just follow the directions that come with the kit. It is painless. You then send the cotton swabs back to DNA Heritage and within 3 to 4 weeks you will be notified of the results. I had this test done with another individual with the last name DeForest, we were NOT a match. However, I have been in contact, with another DeForest, who had his DNA tested with another company and we are almost a perfect match. Our common ancestor is Isaac DeForest (1616-1674). For me, Isaac is my 8th GGF. If you are curious about your connection with the DeFreest, DeForest family this may be the way to prove your connection. I would also like to say, I am in NO WAY connected to DNA Heritage and do NOT receive any funds or any other form of incentive for sending someone to them. It just happens to be the company I used for the test. You can of course, use any DNA testing company you wish. Family Tree is another popular company. DNA testing is very new to me, so I do not have all the answers, but would like to see more participation from the DeFreest, DeForest families so we can prove our connection. I must also point out that this test is good for males only.
Contact
