Mx Lines Database & Legend
We created a sanitized (for privacy reasons) IMFA membership database—in both
Excel spreadsheet and PDF formats—that we've arranged by genealogical “Lines”
(i.e., lineages tied together by shared ancestors/ relatives—known, reputed
or suspected.) IMFA members can download these tools using the links on the right
side of this web page.
We’re posting this database as an interim measure so that members interested
in researching their own Line, “adopting” a given Line, and/ or collaborating
with others in the same Line, don't have to wait until we have our dynamic
database interface up and working.
Allocation of a given individual to a particular Line is based on data received
from that individual and/or written about said individual in MxWorld. In some cases—especially
those with an appended question mark—allocation to a Line is little more than
inspired guess work based on one or more identifying factors such as specific locations,
given name patterns or key surnames married into the Mxes. In other cases an individual
is associated with more than one Line—although each member is listed only
once—so it would behoove you to peruse the entire database to make sure a
relation isn’t lurking under another Line heading. Once again, reasons for
allocating more than one Line to an individual vary, running the gamut from conflation
in reported data, to key individuals who may bridge two or more Lines. The responsibility
for deconflicting these conundrums ultimately lies with those members who choose
to adopt a given Line and/or that individual him/herself.
Are there mistakes in this database? Almost certainly! We apologize in advance—we
don't have a large enough cadre of volunteers to give each member and Line the detailed
attention they deserve. But its a place to start. If you'd like to adopt or begin
a collaboration on one of these Lines, please contact Marie or Wayne—they'll
be happy to help you make it happen.
As an aid to using and understanding this data base, we've also included a “legend”,
which characterizes each Line by a number of associated characteristics, to wit:
- The source of the Line name, i.e, why we named it the way we did;
- Other Lines known, purported or suspected to be associated with this Line;
- Primary locations associated with this Line;
- Known religious affiliations associated with this Line;
- Unusual given names and/or given names often seen associated with this Line.
- Whether the Line is historic, i.e., its been written up in history books—the
Sefton Mx Line or the Castle Dillon Mx Line being prime examples;
- Whether there is an IMFA member—past or present—associated with this
Line;
- Whether any members associated with this Line have undergone Y-DNA testing and how
many;
- Whether this Line has been adopted by an individual or collaborative group; i.e.,
a guru or expert, or group thereof, for this particular Line, and the IMFA number
of same as a point of-contact; and
- Comments relating to anything else that characterizes this Line.