Wren Kin

Introducing the Wren Family Association DNA Surname Project, for all Wren/Wrenn/Ren/Renn surnames!

Here are the two main goals for the W(R)en(n) Family Association DNA Surname Project:

1. To understand and connect the relationships of Wren/Wrenn/Ren/Renn surnames in the U.S. and possibly tie them to Old World families.
2. To prove or disprove the connection so very many Wren genealogies state as fact: that the Wrens of early Virginia were related to Sir Christopher Wren.

…Her mother’s grandfather, Vincent Wren, was in the Wars of the Revolution and 1812. He was a direct descendant of Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St. Paul’s, London.
—”Edward S. Dickson,” Portrait and Biographical Records of Jasper, Marshall and Grundy Counties, Iowa. Chicago: Biographical Pub. Co., 1894.

Old Vincent Wren wasn’t the only great-grandfather believed to have been a direct descendant of Christopher Wren! All of us W(R)en(n) researchers have heard this refrain at least once: “We are descended from Sir Christopher Wren!” or perhaps, “We are related to Sir Christopher Wren—Gramps said so!”

While Sir Christopher Wren has no documented living descendants, there are descendants of his ancestors who carry on the Wren surname. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could compare DNA? Let’s use science to settle this question once and for all.

And while we’re putting one of our oldest traditions under the microscope, we’ll be collecting valuable information on W(R)en(n) family lines that will help all of us in our genealogical research. If you’re not quite sure what DNA testing can do, read some of these reports from a few family associations who’ve used DNA testing to solve long-standing genealogical mysteries:

Dodge Family Association DNA Project
Winslow Family Association DNA Project
Bassett Family Association DNA Project
Whiteside DNA Project

Other family associations have had some wonderful success with their DNA testing, and now it’s our turn!

I’ve set up a special information page about our DNA surname project here, and you can join our DNA surname project here.