In the last magazine I asked for help on the committee as we are losing a couple of long serving members this year and will need, amongst other positions, a new Treasurer. This important key position is not only required by our constitution but the society will surely die without one. Sad to say I have had no response to my request – I am not sure if that is because there are no members out there with a little spare time or is it just that members cannot be bothered? We do need some new blood on the committee to survive so I am asking again – PLEASE come forward to help us run YOUR society.

On a brighter note – I am encouraged by the exchange of emails between a small group of members with much information and details on family groups. The members involved in these exchanges have been mainly Paul Lavallie, #200, who has extracted a vast amount of information from Sussex records, which has prompted exchanges with Steve Chapman #003, Rhoda Windiate-Blackmore, #006, Brian Relf, #001 and myself, #029, although I should apologise that my replies are not as prompt as they could be. Some of this exchanged information will eventually find its way into The Wolfpack so other members do not miss out.

The Society also proposes to launch a DNA project during this year with the aim to prove a link with the known groups of our surname, which research, so far, has not connected. Initially we have looked at branches in Kent, Sussex and London but we should not forget our overseas members, or indeed any group with our surname. It is important that we chose wisely to begin with because we need to gain as much as possible from this project. Only one person need be tested from each group in order to compare results and hopefully control the costs. We already have volunteers from one Sussex group, two different Kent groups and one London group.

There will be a cost involved to individual volunteers of about $150 each at present, which we propose to subsidise from our Society funds.

Our President, Brian Relf, and I feel this is probably the biggest and most important project that our Society will undertake. It is important that we get it right and therefore we are seeking your views. This is a complex subject and I have additional information that I am happy to send to any member.

The main criteria for volunteers who would like to join this proposed DNA project are:-

a) You have to be a male and have a surname within our variants including (Relf(e)/Relph/Ralf/Realf/Rolfe/Ralph and belong to a group not already represented.
b) Be a member of the Society.
c) Be willing to participate in the cost.
d) Be happy to have your results published.

On this last point it should be made clear that DNA tests for genealogical purposes do NOT disclose any other information, e.g. medical or forensic. It should also be pointed out that DNA projects are not guaranteed to give the results we may all be looking for and there are a few pit falls but having said this there are hundreds of such projects already in progress with different surnames. There is a host of information available on the Internet – some have hailed DNA in family history bigger that the introduction of the computer!

Please come back to me with your views and if you are willing to participate in this project. Make 2008 a big one for our Society – come and join us on the committee and / or the DNA project – PLEASE.

Chris Relf, Chairman.

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Page last revised April 2008.