To the Editor

I am writing with regard to the Sino-Judaic Institute article online pertaining to the Kaifeng Jewish community.

As an observant Jew with an interest in genealogical research through DNA studies, I submitted a sample of my own DNA to a private company called Family Tree DNA, Inc. in Houston, TX, USA, whose research is also connected with the University of Arizona. During the course of my initial search in their old database for Y-DNA matches, I was surprised to make the unexpected discovery of a very close match who was listed in their database under the ethnic origin label "Chinese Ethnic Minority", alongside an EXACT match to that same individual who was listed as an Ashkenazi of "Unknown" national origin.

As the Chinese individual matched 10 out of 12 Y-chromosomal DNA markers to myself perfectly. The six "Modal Haplotype" markers matched mine precisely on five points and the other six were likewise a 5 out of 6 match! DYS Markers #19 and #439 differed from my own DNA by only one allele point, whilst DYS loci # 385a & b, 389-1&2, 390, 391 392, 393, 426 and 429 were all EXACT MATCHES to myself. This is close enough to place a common patrilineal ancestor within the period of the Baghdad Caliphate!

Due to privacy issues, Family Tree DNA, Inc. will not release contact information unless an EXACT, 12 out of 12 point match exists, however a search of their surname-based research database showed that there was ONE (1) individual named "Chinn" (possibly a corruption of "Jin", though I'm only guessing) and ONE (1) individual named "Li" listed in the database.

What I am asking is this:

(1) Do any of the Kaifeng Jewish clans have any oral legends - or even documented history - that indicate descent from the Davidic line? I ask this because I have also happened across two families with near-matches to myself (the Shealtielim and particularly an offshoot family bearing the name Charlap) who not only claim direct patrilineal descent from the Exilarchs (and therefore the House of King David), but actually possess the documentation to prove it.

(2) Is it possible to contact (by e-mail) any member of the Jin and/or Li clans who have attempted genealogical research into their patrilineal origins and have submitted Y-DNA samples in support of any such research efforts? If so, I would like to hear from any or all of these individuals, and am hereby giving permission for my e-mail contact information to be passed along to them.

Yours cordially,
William Salter