DNA Genealogy

**Mael Coluim** · 15th October 11, 08:45 AM

I did the testing with my Clan Society through Family Tree, also. I've had three hits in my clan with the same surname that we share a common ancestor. My Scottish ancestry originated from northern Ireland, the Irish Gaels. My distinct DNA is called 'Niall of the seven hostages". Interesting stuff!

**WVHighlander** · 15th October 11, 08:54 AM

Mael,

I actually just read something about "Niall of the seven hostages". That is some really fascinating history! So you have had some decent luck with it...

**Mael Coluim** · 15th October 11, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by WVHighlander

Mael,

I actually just read something about "Niall of the seven hostages". That is some really fascinating history! So you have had some decent luck with it...

Well for me, I consider the money well spent. In my Clan there are those three with the same DNA, but outside my clan there are quite many. I found it interesting to read on Family Tree's report if you go far back enough we are all related!

What is also uncanny to me before I did the DNA test I visited northern Ireland going to all the St. Columba historic sites. I had a sense of being home. Having now visited most of Scotland, I fell more at home in the Argyll which was part of the Dalraida Kingdom of the Irish Gaels. Go figure!

**Gael Ridire** · 15th October 11, 11:27 PM

In 2002 I volunteered at the national genealogy workshop where a university prof was collecting DNA & pedigree charts for a theory to see if DNA could be used to research genealogy. Well a local company hired him away from the university and in time his study went on line. A fellow I had been emailing with for 10 years called me and said, "You know how you've wondered if your family changed the surname from O'Brien to Bryant. Well cousin..." Come to find out he and I matched 100% DNA at 43 markers. He lives in Buffalo, NY, and his grandfather came to U.S. in 1903, mine came to Canada about 1830, then to U.S. in late 1850s. Our common ancestor lived about 1700 in the 8th-10th generation. Sadly the records in Ireland for this time period are very scarce. But for me it proved my surname change and origin of the family in Ireland. He has gone on in the clan surname project also at Family Tree, to find four others who are with in 1 or 2 markers difference from us, including another at 100% at 37 markers. These others O'Brien ancestors came from 1-3 miles from the same western Co. Clare town of Killarnen from one another. So for all of us it was money well spent, yet most I've read didn't have such success. On O'Brien Clan director in CA did the test & found out he had the surname but not the DNA, he resigned. Other DNA surname projects have help to determine traditions whether they be true or false. Good luck in the decision. I'd chose 67 or 87 marker test. The more markers tested the more refined the test/results. In matches with people there is probably a relationship between 1-4 marker variation, but 5 markers off indicates no relationship. The less markers off the closer the relationship.

**WVHighlander** · 15th October 11, 11:38 PM

I am leaning heavily toward the 67 marker test. Having not grown up with my paternal line (and when I did meet them, they don't know their own history) I am intrigued to find out "where I am from". While I will not have children to pass it on to, it will satisfy my curiosity...which would kill me if I were a cat!

**WVHighlander** · 15th October 11, 11:40 PM

...and the worst that could happen is I find out I really did descend from the English family Cockerhams. However, I have already disproved that bad research on one line of Cochrans. (Funny how one person publishes something and the whole world flocks to it without question....be it history or genealogy..or name your subject of discussion.)

and Gael I am still up for adoption if you need the family traditions carried on!

**Gael Ridire** · 16th October 11, 12:22 AM

Again thanks for the offer! Had a family meeting and things appear better with my children & their spouses. Looking forward to the day of having grandchildren to were kilts and heraldic t-shirts.

What would really be nice is if there was a chief of your surname who would lend his DNA as a baseline for which all in the surname project could match to.

At the time 37 markers was as high as one could go. I'd do 67 and if good results then upgrade to 87.

If I may be so bold, are you married? If so, why no children?

**Ui Meachair** · 15th October 11, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mael Coluim

I did the testing with my Clan Society through Family Tree, also. I've had three hits in my clan with the same surname that we share a common ancestor. My Scottish ancestry originated from northern Ireland, the Irish Gaels. My distinct DNA is called 'Niall of the seven hostages". Interesting stuff!

Think you're missing a couple of hostages

**MacBean** · 15th October 11, 12:36 PM

In a perfect world, a man's name MacBean should track perfectly with his Y-chromosomal DNA, as both are passed down unchanging from father to son.

There are several ways to disrupt the continuity: issues of paternity, genetic mutation (v. slow on the Y chromosome), the fact that last names are relatively recent, and that families change their names.

I suspect it is the only way to bridge gaps in knowledge for some folks. Don't expect definite answers: science, and especially biology, are always a bit statistical.