Question about Male/Female lineage...

[DonnaA23]

To answer your original query more bluntly the project is looking for direct male line descendants of Henry III because currently that is all they can test for.

There is no reliable test at present for descendants of female relatives of Henry III. Even one break in the male to male line of descent means the Y dna test cannot be used.

It wasn't a project to test people, it was a society. Send your pedigree and the proof and you are one of us, so to speak. Males allowed only 
No illegitimate lines allowed, despite half the Plantagenets were illegitimate....lol

The last five descendants they tested who were Plantagenets, did not match up with the Plantagenet in the car park 

[DonnaA23]

I don't think the Y-DNA (male) is more credible than the MT-DNA (female), it's just that the male line in some ways can be easier to trace as it generally is expected to pass down the generations through the male line along with the surname and inheritance.

People can trace whichever line they wish for their own trees. Those you've seen might be a work on progress - some people trace the male line first as it can sometimes be easier, then move on to the female line at a later date.  It comes down to personal preference.

I didn't say they can't. I couldn't give two figs why they only include the paternal line, I was just curious.

I'm just not understanding it all. The way I see it, is that I have exactly the same surname as my brother, only my surname would change if I married. ......which won't happen anytime soon. We'd  still have exactly the same parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc...

And as for this male paternal line and keeping in with male family surnames, who is to say that ones wife was faithful and his male children even belong to him??......There is never any solid proof, of a direct male lineage. Surnames mean zilch.

True say, we can usually be 100% of who our mothers are, but not so sure about who our fathers are. So why this big deal to some, in regards this male surname lineage baffles me.

I think SelDen has given you a good concise explanation.

Just picking up on a couple of your points:

If females want to trace their paternal DNA if they have a brother it is suggested that they ask them to take the test.

If you suspect an illegitimacy in the family that is where DNA testing can be very useful. Even if you don't and you find that you do not have the match that you expect with a close relative, it can be as a result of illegitimacy.

Why the importance of following the male surname?  It is because Y-DNA follows the male line only and males retain their surnames, which is why the surname is relevant.
I think male and female hold equal weight, but we still live in a male dominated society as do many (if not most other) societies and cultures. It's changing slowing in western society but perhaps the perceived importance of male surnames stems from long held traditions, and as I mentioned before, the male line relates to inheritance, wealth and power. Some may still hold that view...

Added: If you have a brother get him to take the male test, or depending which line you are following, perhaps an uncle or male cousin.

People recommend the FTDNA tests as they have more uptake than other tests and you can enter the results into other websites to obtain further matches.

Ok thanks.

So if I was wanting to follow my maternal grandfathers line, I could ask my mums brother?

[Erato]

"the male line relates to inheritance, wealth and power"

I think that's the key element here.  Suppose that my brother wanted to join this 'society' and provided sufficient DNA evidence to qualify for membership.  He would be welcome to join but I wouldn't, even if I presented DNA evidence to show that he and I were full siblings.  I would be equally a Plantagenet descendant but disqualified from membership by lack of a Y chromosome.

[SelDen]

Yes, your mother's brother will be able to do a Y dna test and should link in to your grandfather's male line going back in time.

[DonnaA23]

"the male line relates to inheritance, wealth and power"

I think that's the key element here.  Suppose that my brother wanted to join this 'society' and provided sufficient DNA evidence to qualify for membership.  He would be welcome to join but I wouldn't, even if I presented DNA evidence to show that he and I were full siblings.  I would be equally a Plantagenet descendant but disqualified from membership by lack of a Y chromosome.

Exactly and that's unfair I think.

An all male lineage to the Plantagenets does not exist now, there has to be females along the way, to be able to even claim a Plantagenet descent these days.....surely? So this Y chromosome is not consistent through the lineage.
The same as they claim it's not consistent in the maternal lineage.
It's all about this 'superior' male ego in my opinion.
Some have not shaken it off.

[davidft]

Exactly and that's unfair I think.

A rather silly argument if I may say. Genealogy is not the study of what is fair and unfair, it is a study of pedigrees and how one does that is up to the individual themselves there is no proscribed right or wrong way and to try to suggest otherwise is rather juvenile in my opinion.

Oh and I see you have quite a lot to say negatively about studying male line descent but haven't ventured into criticising the study of matrilineality, a tad hypocritical I might suggest

[DonnaA23]

Exactly and that's unfair I think.

A rather silly argument if I may say. Genealogy is not the study of what is fair and unfair, it is a study of pedigrees and how one does that is up to the individual themselves there is no proscribed right or wrong way and to try to suggest otherwise is rather juvenile in my opinion.

Oh and I see you have quite a lot to say negatively about studying male line descent but haven't ventured into criticising the study of matrilineality, a tad hypocritical I might suggest

Perhaps because I haven't encountered a society, that discriminates against the lineage of a man. Females have every right to claim the same descent, as a brother and be recognised as such.

Think yourself lucky, I replied so politely.
If you can't be polite....STAY OUT of my threads.

[davidft]

Perhaps because I haven't encountered a society, that discriminates against the lineage of a man. Females have every right to claim the same descent, as a brother and be recognised as such.

Think yourself lucky, I replied so politely.
If you can't be polite....STAY OUT of my threads.

LOL Thank you for proving my point.

[sarah]

STAY OUT of my threads.

The threads are open to comment from anyone, we expect everyone to be polite.

Sarah