DNA Genealogy

[MacBean]

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.

[Mael Coluim]

Think you're missing a couple of hostages

Right there was nine!

[Mael Coluim]

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]

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]

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]

...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]

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?

[WVHighlander]

I am glad to hear about the kids, in all seriousness. There is nothing so important as family, traditions, and heredity. Something mostly lost on today's society. I am really happy to hear your boys are taking an interest.

There is a Chief and he is a grand fellow...however, back a few generations one chief didn't have any sons, so in order to marry his eldest daughter and inherit the holdings the suitor had to agree to take the name Cochrane. A young Blair did this, so the Y Chromosome is gone from the Chief's line. So that leaves those of us who do carry the last name etc. as the test bed. Currently there are 70 people in our Clan Society's DNA database. So I am leaning toward doing it....

Yes, very married. We celebrate 10 wonderful years this year, and I married up there is no doubt!

No kids because genetics can be a SOB, or Providence has other plans...which ever way tickles your fancy.

[Gael Ridire]

If genetics have a final say of no way. Don't forget the option of adoption. One son's wife is adopted, and she is wonderful!

To bad about the chief's line. But oh well...

[Highland Logan]

I did the DNA test many years ago. The whole thing was set up by a lady from Texas, who was running a Yahoo genealogy group. She got the idea from a member who was a retired geneticist. The premise was most members could not through paperwork get from North America back to Scotland. Most of the older line members got tested, and those who's lines were oldest got discounts to encourage them to take the test (I got a discount). They used this to break all of the members into smaller groups, and by doing this members now had more defined areas to search for family information. For example; there are 6 families who cannot get from the 13 colonies, but I have traced my line to Forres in Scotland (back to 1650). They have at least a better chance to find their line by looking in Morayshire. It's a great tool if used correctly. Now as for "Niall of the nine hostages", the Clan Donald group has come up with what they believe is a DNA profile which which represents him (is not really his, just supposition). This has been used by groups as a marker on whither or not their clans have a true Gaelic origin, rather than Norse, Saxon, Norman etc. The baseline Logan matches this.

Frank