I know there those that come to this web site looking for information on Bates lines other than the ancestry and descendancy of Oliver Bates and Rebecca Hart or they do not know what Bates line they are connected to. For those I want to mention a valuable tool for modern genealogical efforts - DNA.

The Bates Association and The Bates Family of Old Virginia have teamed up to conduct a Bates DNA Project through Family Tree DNA. Many have already participated and I believe most of the immigrant Bates lines uncovered so far are represented.  What this means for you is, if you are a male descendant of the Bates line you are researching (or you have such a descendant available), you can participate in this DNA project and possibly find out which immigrant Bates line you descend from.

DNA can point you in the right direction.  There as been much research done on the immigrant Bates lines represented by The Bates Association and The Bates Family of Old Virginia.  If your DNA shows a connection to one of these lines, you know you are connected and just need to find out how and at what point.  Sometimes this involves backward research but at least you have something to aim for and probably a lot of research already done for you.

At one time these sponsoring family organizations provided a discount to those members of their respective groups to participate in the DNA project.  This is/was a dues supported discount.  I recommend contacted either group if you are having problems with your Bates line as there are very capable volunteers with both organizations that may be able to help you.  Dues are affordable and can provide you a wealth of guidance.  I also highly recommend participating in the DNA project to get you possibly pointed to the Bates line you have a connection to.

You can contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , the coordinator for the project, for more information about participating.

If anyone has tried to visit the site over the last month or so, they found it down.  For reasons unknown (hacking suspected), the database crashed and thus the website.  What is in place now is a backup though not all the information previously found here is available at this time (I am still trying to figure out why).  Please be patient while I try to get everything back in order.