Esperanza,

Regarding the question addressed to me, my haplotype is indeed listed 
at Gary Felix's web page among the Villarreal surname list.  I have 
several genetic matches or near matches, including your cousin 
Homero, all of whom have been newly rediscovered distant cousins to 
me.  

Our DNA shows the very high likelihood of sharing a common ancestor 
but at 6 generations back so far on my paternal lineage I still 
haven't found where our genealogical branches join, which means that 
it is a little further back into the previous century.  I'm still 
following the paper trail!  One very exciting discovery is that as we 
look deeper into our Nuevo León roots we're finding that they lead 
back to Zacatecas.

Victor

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, latina1955@a... wrote:
>   
> Hi Prima,
> I am curious about your brother's DNA - what was he able to learn.  
In lieu of our possible connection, I would be extremely 
curious....If you look at Gary Felix's chart, I am related to Homero 
Villarreal several times over (surnames include Villarreal, Bermea, 
Trevino) from both my paternal grandparents!
>  
> From my limited understanding about Jewish culture, it seems that 
there was a definite separation of the three "tribes", generally kept 
that way by the use of their last names and religious customs.  
Because of this and the relatively slow migration patterns that 
occured in early history, there appears to be a definite correlation 
between certain Jewish sects, in their DNA.  I could be 
mistaken.......The way it was explained to me by several Jewish 
friends:  a Cohnan can only marry another proven Cohnan though the 
paternal line.  This is the "highest sect", but according to my 
friends, they feel it is a way to subjugate the other "tribes".  All 
other sects were allowed to inter-marry with each other, or even a 
woman was allowed to marry outside their ancestry, as it has 
generally been accepted that "Judaism" can be passed by the mother - 
this, in part, is believed to have occurred when religious and 
cultural persecution could not determine by their absolute means the 
paternal Jewish link. 
>  
> As you know, the northern part of Mexico (Nuevo Leon & Coahuila) 
was reportedly settled by Sephardic Jews, but I think the jury is 
still out in terms of the definitiveness of what particular "tribe" 
from which they descended - there are many speculations, but because 
of their persecution, little is really known.  The purported 
associations seem to be in the family last names and possible links 
to older Jewish surnames.   In my own particular family, rumors 
circulated despite obvious possible repercussion and one legend in 
particular which included finding a torah between the walls of 
the "tejas" in Coahuila. So, while I am inclined to believe that 
Jewish blood runs through my veins, I am also inclined to believe in 
my African heritage connection as well.   
>  
> I can't prove it yet, but my instincts tell me that from the 
Zacatecas side of the family, there is African blood - the history 
documents asserts their presence (as does my kinky hair ? just 
kidding Victor, well - sort of) particularly during the "high" 
economic rape of the Zacetano silver mines, where profits went 
straight to Spain or the Catholic Church.  You do bring up an 
important question - how can the DNA project claim where in Africa 
our possible ancestors originate from?  My trip in Africa confirmed 
that the time of slavery was a great unrest for the indigenous people 
who had remained stable for so long prior to the 300 years of 
constant unrest during slavery.  Even the "adrinka" Ghanaian symbols 
were obviously affected by the gold and salt trade with the northern 
Berbers, and this was during a time of economic prosperity!  One 
would have to perform many "free" DNA projects to make assertions 
about a particular area in Africa and the descendents.
>  
> I did giggle with your question regarding DNA and Moses & Aaron.    
But you are right about the movement of families, particularly during 
times of economic, warfare, political and religious struggles.  It 
is, after-all the reason why most of us are in the United States! 
>  
> For now, because of this wonderful forum, I know that you and I are 
definately related.  It would be even nicer to know that we are 
related several times over, as was the discovery with Homero.  
>  
> By the way Victor, are you related to any of the Villarreal's in 
the Felix's study?
>  
> La Prima....Esperanza
>  

Santos,

Just one more thing:  I had heard about "Gato por Liebre" but I never
heard about "Gato por Oso" hehe!

Which reminds me, Mr. Greenspan is a business man not a scientist!

Victor

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, "Victor Villarreal" <vela_este@y...>
wrote:
> I'm going to start this with a saying in Spanish: No comas ansias,
Santos.
> 
> You do good by playing the devil's advocate in all of this.  Your
> attitude is just right when entering this highly speculative field of
> genetic genealogy.  
> 
> Always try to rely on scientific findings for your answers.  And even
> then, remember that much of what scientists postulate are theories and
> hypothesis.  As a starting point for your research on your first
> question, check the following link regarding the Cohanim:
> 
> http://www.ucl.ac.uk/tcga/tcgapdf/Behar-AJHG-03.pdf
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Victor
> 
> --- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, Santos Luna <mistyriver123@y...> wrote:
> > I was very excited when I read about the DNA Project, and offered to
> pay for the testing, using my brother's DNA. My brother has done some
> research on his own, and has not been given any conclusive answers. 
> >  
> > In the scenario below...
> >  
> > 1. Who's DNA did they use to prove a connection to "Cohanim"?
> > 
> > 2. Where did they get the DNA for Moses & Aaron?
> > 
> > 3. For the African ancestor where did they get that DNA? There are
> 51 countries in the Continent of Africa. From Morocco to South
> Africa...and the islands. Were samples taken from individuals from
> most of these countries?
> > 
> > As a side note, from an Egyptologist, the current Egyptians are not
> of the line that actually build the pyramids. But, that is another
> topic. The point is, that the people's of the world have always been
> mobile.
> > 
> > Gosh, I hate to sound like the devils advocate, but would hope that
> this folks are not giving us un "Gato por Oso.
> > 
> > Emilie, perhaps, Mr. Greenspan can offer some positive insight.
> > 
> > Santos Luna
> >

I'm going to start this with a saying in Spanish: No comas ansias, Santos.

You do good by playing the devil's advocate in all of this.  Your
attitude is just right when entering this highly speculative field of
genetic genealogy.  

Always try to rely on scientific findings for your answers.  And even
then, remember that much of what scientists postulate are theories and
hypothesis.  As a starting point for your research on your first
question, check the following link regarding the Cohanim:

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/tcga/tcgapdf/Behar-AJHG-03.pdf

Best Regards,

Victor

--- In ranchos@yahoogroups.com, Santos Luna <mistyriver123@y...> wrote:
> I was very excited when I read about the DNA Project, and offered to
pay for the testing, using my brother's DNA. My brother has done some
research on his own, and has not been given any conclusive answers. 
>  
> In the scenario below...
>  
> 1. Who's DNA did they use to prove a connection to "Cohanim"?
> 
> 2. Where did they get the DNA for Moses & Aaron?
> 
> 3. For the African ancestor where did they get that DNA? There are
51 countries in the Continent of Africa. From Morocco to South
Africa...and the islands. Were samples taken from individuals from
most of these countries?
> 
> As a side note, from an Egyptologist, the current Egyptians are not
of the line that actually build the pyramids. But, that is another
topic. The point is, that the people's of the world have always been
mobile.
> 
> Gosh, I hate to sound like the devils advocate, but would hope that
this folks are not giving us un "Gato por Oso.
> 
> Emilie, perhaps, Mr. Greenspan can offer some positive insight.
> 
> Santos Luna
>