There are two, mutually exclusive, limbs to this objective:

1. Proving the documentary evidence back to Fermanagh and Roscommon (or otherwise), and thereafter

2. Finding a haplotype template for a Fermanagh and Roscommon McManus.

Fermanagh

If some of the Maguire's and McManuses in the Fermanagh group can prove origins back to this place then the DNA part of the evidence fits in splendidly at this early date. But I feel I cannot sit here and speak honestly of authentication of documents when I don't have it. Several McManus' and Maguire's who have been tested are not even recorded in any public DNA database, for apparent privacy reasons (another problem I understand but find hard to come to terms with). There is ample opportunity for any participant to display their haplotype and pedigree chart, with at least some explanation of the evidence that it is genuine, in the excellent YBase public database. Nine Maguire's or derivatives are showing in the YSearch database. Although some claim descent from a man who originated in County Fermanagh, no evidence, even in the form of a mere pedigree chart submitted to the database, is brought to support this, apart from one McManus participant. The mention of a Fermanagh pedigree in the text on the YSearch submission page is made quite often amongst this group. Most, however, appear to provide merely evidence of a most distant known ancestor in the USA in the 1700's. But in most cases, we are not told what that evidence is. Furthermore, a pedigree chart is hardly proof of a line back to a place. All that may be needed is some proof of authentication to a line back to Fermanagh, say just prior to 1700 by one of the close DNA matches. Then I could say with some honesty we have a proven Fermanagh family haplotype. Presently, the evidence is that there is a clear pattern emerging of a DNA McManus family group who merely 'appear' to originate in Fermanagh. What we need, in my opinion, is to produce something more clearly about the origins of this obviously connected group, so that it can be honestly published for all in the world to see. Anything less is doing ourselves an injustice. 

The conclusion is, accordingly, that there is plenty of evidence for DNA connections but not much for authenticating documentation. It seems a simple matter to do this. Two of the closest DNA matched participants could submit their documentary evidence of Fermanagh origins to two members of the project having good research abilities. The documents could then be authenticated by research and a report submitted accordingly and shown here. This would be a constructive move, both to promote the value of the project and to achieve its objective.