DNA Genealogy
DNA studies
can be used to categorise genealogical groups sharing one common ancestor at
one given point in prehistory, through the study of haplogroups.
There are two kinds of haplogroups: the paternally
inherited Y-chromosome DNA (Y-DNA) haplogroups (i.e.
through the male line), and the maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups (i.e. through
the female line).
Depending
on the depth of analysis, the Y-DNA can determine whether two apparently
unrelated individuals sharing the same surname do indeed descend from a common
ancestor in a not too distant past (3 to 20 generations) or through deeper
analysis identify the ancient ethnic group to which one's ancestors belonged (e.g.
Celtic, Germanic, Slavic, Greco-Roman, Basque, Iberian, Phoenician, Jewish,
etc.).
In Europe, mtDNA haplogroups are
quite evenly spread over the continent, and therefore cannot be associated
easily with ancient ethnicities. However, they can sometimes reveal some
potential medical conditions.
The
following is a ‘sample’ of the genetic make-up of the Y-DNA Haplogroup
in Ireland:
|
Ireland |
79 R1b
Celtic Basque |
7 I1
Nordic Germanic |
4 I2b Saxon Germanic |
3 R1a Slavic |
2 I2a
Slavic |
2 E3B
Greek |
1.5 J1
Jewish |
1 G
Caucasian |
The R1b Haplogroup is thought to be the
direct descendant of Cro-Magnon, the oldest Homo-Sapiens settlers in Europe. It
is by far the most common in Western Europe, reaching over 90% of the
population in some parts of western France, northern Spain or Ireland. The
highest concentration of the Celtic R1b mutation (over 50) by
whole country in Europe are:
Wales 82%
Scotland 72.5%
Netherlands 70.5%
Spain 70%
England 67%
France 61%
Portugal 56%
Belgium 55%
Denmark,
Germany, Switzerland and Italy also have high concentrations. This roughly
equates to Western Europe minus the Nordic countries. The R1b haplogroup can further classified to determine the movement
of populations over time. R1b1b2a1b6a/R1b1b2a1b6b/ R1b1b2a1b6c (R1b1c1 or
R1b1c7) arrived in Ireland 3000 to 2500 years ago.
Ref:
http://www.eupedia.com/europe/origins_haplogroups_europe.shtml
http://www.eupedia.com/europe/european_y-dna_haplogroups.shtml
International
Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)
It is important
to check the number of markers that will be tested before choosing a test. For example,
the Genographic Project looks at only 12 markers,
while most laboratories and surname projects recommend testing at least 25. The
more markers that are tested, the more discriminating and powerful the results
will be. A 12 marker STR test is usually not discriminating enough to provide
conclusive results for a common surname. STRs results may also indicate a
likely haplogroup, though this can only be confirmed
by specifically testing for that Haplogroups' single
nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The test results are then compared to another
project member's results to determine the time frame in which the two people
shared a most recent common ancestor (MRCA). If the two tests match on 37
markers, there is a 50% probability that the MRCA was fewer than 5 generations
ago and a 90% probability that the MRCA was fewer than 17 generations ago.
DNA samples were collected from
1,125 Irish men, bearing 43 different Gaelic surnames. On average, a man has a
30-fold increased chance of sharing a 17 STR Y-chromosome haplotype
with another man of the same surname but the extent of similarity between the
surname and haplotype varies widely between surnames
which is attributed this to differences in the number of early founders. Some
surnames such as O’Sullivan and Ryan have a single major ancestor, whereas
others like Murphy and Kelly have numerous founders probably explaining their
high frequency today. Notwithstanding differences in their early origins, all
surnames have been extensively affected by later male introgession.
None examined showed more than about half of current bearers still descended
from one original founder indicating dynamic and continuously evolving kinship
groupings. Mutation rates are
not available for all loci, therefore weighting was instead based on the
variance in repeat score amongst 985 Y-chromosomes within the discrete R1b3
haplogroup. (McEvoy et al)
There are not
enough results with sufficient deails fot the Tracey surname to make conclusions but it would
appear, as expected, that the majority of results are of Irish origin with some
Norman-Nordic and Anglo-Saxon results. There may be a lineage connection for
the DYS392=11 mutation, as explained below.
In the Tracy DNA project,
there were 27 Y-results for ‘Tracy’ with the following haplogroups:
E1b1a (1)
I2a (2)
R1b1 (1)
R1b1a2 (R-M269)
(17)
R1b1a2a1a1b4 (R-L21)
(4)
R1b1a2a1a1b4h (L226) (2)
All the R1b Traceys have these two markers in common; No. 6, DYS426=12 which has an incidence of 2% for R1b and No.9. DYS3891=13, which has an incidence of 15% for R1b. However, I have been told that neither of those mutations is particularly significant, especially for R-L21 members.
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~geneticgenealogy/yfreq.htm
As testing
procedures progress, it is possible to further determine the detail of the haplogroup. The following are the results of further
testing:
R1b1a2 (FTDNA) (R-M269) = R1b1a2 (ISOGG)
R1b1a2a1a1b4 (FTDNA)
(L21) = R1b1a2a1a2c (ISOGG)
R1b1a2a1a1b4h (FTDNA)
(L226) = R1b1a2a1a2c1f2a (ISOGG)
In the Ireland Y-DNA Project, there is the additional result for Treacy and Tracy with the following haplogroup: R1b1b2 (1) I2b1 (1).
On Ysearch there are also nine results with following haplogroups: R1b* (Cork Ireland), R1b1b2
(Great Yarmouth, England), R1b1b2a1b
(Ireland), R1b1b2a1b5 (Wexford, Ireland), I2a (Limerick Ireland), G (Unknown).
The Tracy DNA Project was located at World Families, http://www.worldfamilies.net but is
now defunct. A reduced version is available at https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/tracy/
The majority of Traceys in the world are of Irish descent. According to the
ancient Irish genealogies they are decended from four
tribes which were located in the four provinces of Ireland. There are also the Traceys who came to Ireland from England.
By joining the
project, you will be providing information which will build up the picture of
our ancient descent. Also you will be helping others to determine where in
Ireland their ancestors came from. Joining the project is easy and the tests at
Family Tree DNA cost $20 to $30 less when you order them through a surname
project. There is also a greater variety of tests available. You can particepate at any level and then upgrade to a higher level
if you wish. Further testing can then also be performed to get more detail on
the haplogroup.
In order to
generate the best information possible, particepants
should indicate their earlist known ancestor and
location in Ireland. If you require any assistance, please contact the website info@traceyclann.com
In the Griffiths Primary Valuation property survey of 1848-64, the
following are the rough percentages of Tracey households living in each county:
|
Antrim |
Armagh |
Carlow |
Cavan |
Clare |
Cork |
Derry |
Donegal |
|
0.5% |
0% |
3% |
1% |
1.%% |
3.5% |
2% |
1% |
|
Down |
Dublin |
Fermanagh |
Galway |
Kerry |
Kildare |
Kilkenny |
Laois |
|
0.5% |
3% |
3.5% |
10% |
0.5% |
3.5% |
6% |
4% |
|
Leitrim |
Limerick |
Longford |
Louth |
Mayo |
Meath |
Monaghan |
Offaly |
|
1% |
5.5% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
1% |
0.5% |
5% |
|
Roscommon |
Sligo |
Tipperary |
Tyrone |
Waterford |
Westmeath |
Wexford |
Wicklow |
|
3% |
0.5% |
25% |
2.5% |
3.5% |
1.5% |
2% |
2.5% |
Ref:
Ireland yDNA
Project http://homepage.eircom.net/~ihdp/ihdp/index.htm
McEvoy, Brian & Bradley, Daniel G. (2006) Y-chromosomes and the extent of patrilineal
ancestry in Irish surnames. Hum Genet. http://homepage.eircom.net/~ihdp/ihdp/documents/ydna_irish_surnames.pdf
McEvoy, Brian; Simms, Katharine and Bradley,
Daniel G. (2008) Genetic Investigation of the Patrilineal
Kinship Structure of Early Medieval Ireland. American Journal of
Physical Anthropology. http://homepage.eircom.net/~ihdp/ihdp/documents/fulltext.pdf
McEwan, John (2006) R1b1c7
haplogroup M222 SNP aka North West Irish Variety, IMH
and R1bSTR19Irish http://www.geocities.com/mcewanjc/M222.htm
O’Neill, Edwin B. and
McLaughlin, John D. (2006) Insights Into the O’Neills
of Ireland from DNA Testing. Journal of Genetic Genealogy 2:18-26, http://www.jogg.info/22/ONeill.pdf
Irish
Tribal Clusters
In the ancient Irish genealogies of
the Uí Bairrche tribe, the Uí Treasaich and Mac Gormáin families belonged to the royal family and were
related. Some members of the Tracy and Gorman DNA Projects contain a very rare
mutation, DYS392=11. According to Seán MacGorman
Powell, the Gorman Project Administrator, after a careful analyses of all
DYS392=11 mutation bearers in every major geographical DNA project examined, he
identified a total of 79 people worldwide within the R1b haplogroup
(and subclades) who bear this mutation. Considering
that tens of thousands of R1b people have been tested, it is clear that this
represents an extremely rare mutation for R1b, occurring in less than one-half
of one percent (< 0.5%) of that major haplogroup.
As such, this may be a strong indication of a DNA relationship and may explain the reference to "Macraith, son of Gorman, son of Treasach"
in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 1042 AD. Seán has also
compared the Gormans and Tracys
who have the DYS392=11 mutation and in his opinion, there is no relation
between the two groups outside of the mutation.
Also, within this group of DYS392=11, two members have been tested as
belonging to the R1b1a2a1a1b4h haplogroup.
It would appear that the DYS392=11
mutation in the USA comes from a common ancestor, Teague Trassey
who emigrated to Virginia around 1655, and whose ancestry has been very well
documented.
Ref:
Gorman DNA Project
History of the Uí Barriche
tribe: http://www.traceyclann.com/files/Ui%20Bairrche.htm
The following are Irish Tribal
Cluster projects:
NW Irish haplogroup (R-M222) and Irish Type III consider that they
have distinctive markers that relate to their clans or tribes.
The North-West (NW)
Irish is the signature of the Uí Néill
tribe http://www.familytreedna.com/public/R1b1c7/default.aspx
Irish Type III is
the signature of the Dál gCáis
(west Munster). www.jogg.info/51/files/Wright.pdf and www.irishtype3dna.org
AUTOSOMAL DNA TESTING AND SMALL
SEGMENT MATCHING ON GEDmatch.com
THE EXCITING FUTURE OF GENEALOGY BEYOND THE RECORDS –
A LAYMAN’s VIEW
Autosomal DNA testing is the best DNA test to find relatives of a common ancestor and thereby work out your ancestry. With so many Irish Birth, Death and Marriage records lost forever in the Four Courts Fire of 1922, it may be the only way forward for many of us. It’s a simple test – you just spit in the tube that comes with the kit and post it back in the box provided. It is purely for genealogical purposes and reveals no medical traits or information can’t be misused by anyone.
It’s a common test and is offered by Ancestry.com, My Heritage, FTDNA and 23andme. Indeed Ancestry have over 9 million people who have taken their test.
Once your results are processed, these providers will notify you of probable 3rd and 4th cousins who have large segment matches with you and how to contact them and work out the ancestral link. It’s a great first step in deducing your likely ancestry.
HOWEVER, they only alert you to large segment matches (with fairly close relations). What is really exciting is that a new service (absolutely free) provided by GEDmatch.com can alert you to much smaller segment matches with 5th and 6th cousins and you can then attempt to take your ancestry back to the 1780s. With luck and careful thought one can even identify which small segments of DNA are particular to certain families in your ancestry and then you can specifically search for matches with others who have these small segments (ie. you can target your searching for whatever line you are researching.)
More and more people are DNA testing and more and more of these will soon discover the amazing potential of GEDmatch. (Someone I know managed to work out the name of the farmer who got her milkmaid ancestor pregnant in the 1850s! – He happened to be my ancestor!) As the years go on, more and more people’s DNA will be uploaded to GEDmatch and it will become an incredible resource. One reason why so many will be on it is because those keen genealogists who see the potential are hurriedly testing as many relatives as possible and putting their results on GEDmatch. In this way they can identify which segments come from which family lines AND, by testing elderly relatives, can build up the data for going even further back in to history. But you have to act fast and get elderly people to test before they die and all those ancestral clues are lost forever:
You inherit about half your mother’s DNA and half your father’s. ie. 50% of their segments. Your children will inherit half of that (25%). Your grandchildren 12.5% and their children 6.25%. Within another couple of generations, your mother’s and father’s DNA ancestry will be lost forever.
For the family historian, what you want to do is test all the oldest known relatives and get their DNA ancestral record logged for posterity. They will still have traces of ancestors that are no longer being passed down to your generation.
I want to find the ancestry of my John Treacy born in Athlone in about 1778. I only have 0.78% of his DNA left in my genes. I can test my mum but she only has 1.56% of it. We are both descended from his first child. However, I have used Family Treespublished on Ancestry.com and My Heritage to identify other people descended from John Treacy. By concentrating on descendants from his youngest child, and then from that child’s youngest child and so forth, I have even found living descendants of John’s who have a significant 6.25% of his DNA still in them. (They’ll also have 3.13% of his parent’s DNA in them and even 1.56% of his grandparents’ DNA (my 7Xgreat grandparents probably born in the 1740s!!) I hardly yet know how to use GEDmatch BUT, if I can get these elderly far distant “relations” to do the DNA test and get their DNA preserved on GEDmatch now, then I can spend a happy retirement ,in years to come, deciphering that ancestral record. Amazingly, most of these elderly “relatives”- who are in their 90s or even early 100s - but have been more than happy to provide their DNA to help me out!! It’s just this sort of co-operation between families that is spurring-on GEDmatchusers to test all their elderly close relatives and get the DNA information stored for future use. The more that test the more chance every user will have of finding that critical match that reveals the answers to your ancestry.
Imagine if everyone who visited this amazing Traceyclann site tested their eldest relations and put their data on Gedmatch! We’d all find connections to other Tracey families that go back to the eighteenth century. And some of these families WILL or MAY have family Bibles of baptism records that we can then tap-in to and deduce our own ancestor’s family association from it.
(I’m hoping to identify some of John’s small DNA segments and use them to search for descendants of his younger siblings. Athlone started recording baptisms just four years after John was born – so there’s a good chance that some of his younger siblings did indeed have a baptism recorded there. If I can link to one of their descendants, I will have John’s lineage too. Alternatively, if the link is to a Tracey family from Yorkshire, then I’ll presume he was the son of an English soldier stationed in the garrison town of Athlone in 1778 (then I’ll check the regimental muster rolls for soldiers named Tracey stationed there in 1778.) He had a son called Alexander Barclay Tracey – if I get a small segment match with a Barclay family, then that too might be the vital link.
I urge you all to ponder on how this amazing new genealogical tool (GEDmatch) could be used to deduce your ancestry, and hurry to get your oldest relatives to do the common Ancestry.com/My Heritage /23andme or FTDNA DNA autosomal DNA test NOW - for your (and my) future use one day!
Many thanks,
Jon Lee
9th May 2018
Any Athlone Tracey families reading this may want to look at John’s known tree on Ancestry.com
https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/person/tree/69604131/person/32202159501/facts
Last update: 17
October 2019