Corson Surname DNA Project

Welcome!  This project is sponsored by the Corson/Colson Family History Association.  Project brochure

Purpose and Goals

1. To determine relatedness among descendants of known progenitors, as well as relatedness, if any, among the progenitors themselves (see Known Lines).
2. To ascertain as specifically as possible the geocultural origins of these progenitors.
3. To connect individuals unsure of their ancestry to a particular family.
4. To deduce whether brick-walled ancestors are related to each other or to known progenitors.  Examples include:

• Jacob Corson (b. ca. 1740), Hunterdon Co., New Jersey (haplotype R1b established)
• James Courson (ca. 1762-1834), Lancaster Co., South Carolina (haplotype J2 established)
• Daniel Corson (1763-1849), Sussex Co., NJ to Ontario, Canada (family line identified)
• William Corson, Sr. (b. 1765-aft. 1823), Maurice River Twp., Cumberland Co., New Jersey (family line identified)
• Joshua Corson, Sr. (1770-bef. 1824), Maurice River Twp., Cumberland Co., New Jersey
• William DeCoursey (ca. 1708-1788), Bensalem Twp., Bucks Co., Pennsylvania
• Benjamin Courson, Sr., lived in Georges Twp., Fayette Co., Pennsylvania in 1800
• Peter Coursin (1765-1866), Elizabeth, Pennsylvania

As a DNA surname study, the project focuses on the Y-chromosome (carried by male-line descendants), whose characteristics identify only family lines, not individuals.  Project members have been tested by DNA Ancestry, DNA Heritage, and Family Tree DNA.

We are looking for more participants to submit DNA samples for testing or to help fund the cost of tests for their family members.  If the project interests you, please read about how to participate.  Partial reimbursement of test costs for individuals from certain family lines is available!

If you have any questions about this project, please contact the project coordinator, Michael Corson:

Most Recent News

9 June 2010 - Results for Participant #49 arrived