Richardson and Richardson DNA Testing to Find Out if They Are Related

Ancestry DNA Testing
Photo Credit: Wallace Gilmore

How often have you heard of two sets of people with the same last name living in a small community? "As a matter of fact, " I have heard of it quite often. In the absence of genealogical research or DNA testing, how can they be sure there two separate families with the same last name that has no genealogical connections? As far back as I can remember, my Richardson family has always spoken of another set of Richardson who also live in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana. 

Both of our families have known each other all our lives. I must mention that Superintendent Richardson's uncle John Wesley Richardson was a witness in my grandparents Jasper Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell wedding. Another point of interest, Emmitt N. Richardson was witness at the wedding. According to some of my family members, Supt. Alonzo Richardson, Jr., frequently referred to my family as cousins. 

As part of my research into my Richardson family lines, I was conducting advanced research into my ancestors who were held as slaves on the Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson plantation in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. On the 1855  inventory list of Benjamin Richardson, I discovered by my maternal ancestors Carrie aged 23 and her child Thomas aged 1. A total of twenty-three enslaved people were held on the Richardson plantation. One of the enslaved was a fifteen-years-old boy named Nathan. I learned that Supt. Jimmy Richardson is a descendant of Nathan. 

Recently, I had a lengthy conversation with Earl Scott Richardson, Jr., a maternal cousin 3x removed. I asked him if he would take a DNA test to find out if we are related to the other set of Richardson's. He agreed to take a DNA test to determine if we are related to the other set. I was wondering which Richardson I could test from the other set of Richardson's that descends from Nathan Richardson? However, I asked Supt. Jimmy Richardson to contact me through Facebook. Once he called, we discussed the same subject and decided it was time for us to conduct DNA testing to get some answers. I asked him if he would take a DNA test, he agreed and was gratified to do so. 

I met Earl Scott Richardson, Jr., and Superintendent Jimmy Richardson at Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite to take the DNA test. We were all delighted and will wait patiently with anticipation for the results in six to eight weeks. This is something that is long over due. 

Earl S. Richardson, Jr. and Superintendent Jimmy Richardson

                                                               

Unanswered Questions

1. Was the enslaved people on Richardson Plantation related?

2. Could Carrie and Nathan be brother and sister?

3. Who are the other Richardson on the plantations we should be testing?

4. What information could the DNA test provide for us?

5. Can the DNA test help us find the descendants of others who were on the plantation?