DNA Testing Explained

KEEP FAMILY GENEALOGY
DNA PROJECT

DNA Testing and the Y-chromosome

DNA: Genetic Links

While DNA testing for genealogical purposes is a complicated subject, the following is a simplified explanation of the process.

DNA is a substance found in the cells in our bodies, and it contains our genes. It is contained in pairs of thread-like material called chromosomes, which are passed down to us from our parents. Since we are all different, the characteristics of the DNA in our chromosomes are different from those in other people. But we all have 23 pairs of these chromosomes. Both males and females have 22 pairs that are essentially the same, called X chromosomes. The 23rd pair, however, can be very much different from the rest. In females, all 23 pairs are made up of X-chromosomes. But in males, that 23rd chromosome contains only one X-chromosome and one completely different, called the Y-chromosome. Those of us with the 23rd chromosome with 2 X's are always female, and those of us with the 23rd chromosome made up of one X and one Y are always male.

The image to the left shows the 22 pairs of X-chromosomes that both males and females have in the cells in their bodies. The 23rd in the blue box shows the Y chromosome that only males possess. The 23rd that females possess would have both X's and no Y. It is the DNA in that Y- chromosome that is passed down from father to son, mainly unchanged over the generations, that is being tested.

On the right is a cell showing the chromosomes in its center.

An enlarged chromosome is shown to its right in the box with its contents ending in the thread-like strands of DNA.

The exciting part of this from the genealogy standpoint is that the DNA in the Y-chromosome that is passed down from father to son almost entirely unchanged generation after generation.

Though probably unlikely, assume that all Keeps all over the world are descended from Keep families in England. If all male Keeps world wide had DNA-Y tests, we would find that related males in England and elsewhere would have the same DNA in the Y-chromosome, and we would find that they would divide into distinct lines of Keep families in this hypothetical case.

We are trying to find the particular family of John Keep of Longmeadow, who died in 1676. We are quite sure his family came from England, but we don't know who they are. All of us who are John's descendants, therefore, don't know who our ancestors are before the 1600s. Genealogists have been trying to find out for centuries, but all efforts have failed.

We know that John had a Y-chromosome, of course, and we know that all of his male descendants here in America have virtually the same one, because he passed it down from father to son. In the same way, we know that John inherited that same Y-chromosome from his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and so on, whomever they were, presumably in England. If this is true, there must be males living right now in England who have that same Y-chromosome, because not all Keeps in that family came to America. The electrifying part is that with DNA testing of male Keeps in America and in England, we may identify for the first time the very family John was related to over there.

At that point, we would turn the job over to the genealogists to try once again to find the common ancestor of John and those English Keeps, but this time we would have found out which family inEngland to look into. The job will have been made much, much easier because of the Y-chromosome relationship.

Keeps inAmerica not descended from John Keep could also learn of their relationships, and likewise, English Keep families may discover related family lines that they didn't know they had in America and elsewhere. Indeed, Keeps all over the world could learn of their roots and relationships.

Because it is possible that Y-chromosomes change just a bit over time, we will need a substantial number of males with the surname Keep to participate in the project. Females can also participate by sponsoring their male relatives with the surname Keep.

Those of you who would like a more detailed explanation of DNA and the Y-chromosome are welcome to go to the Blair family website to find it.

Blair Family DNA Technical Information http://blairdna.com/dna101.html

The Keep Family DNA Project is using FamilyTreeDNA, a very reputable laboratory widely used by family DNA project groups. This is a serious laboratory not associated with some commercial laboratories that take advantage of people with high prices and few benefits. An internet search of family DNA projects will show the great number that use this laboratory. A detailed explanation of its process is found at FamilyTreeDNA.

FamilyTreeDNA Technical Information http://www.familytreedna.com/dna101.html

DNA: Genetic Links

The University of Leicester’s Department of Genetics in England carried out research into genetic links between people with a shared surname, which produced an amazing discovery. The methodology was to examine the Y-chromosomes of a sample of a 150 pairs of male volunteers with the same surname but no apparent common ancestry, to try and establish genetic links. Whilst examining the DNA samples provided, they isolated a very rare African Y-chromosome from a person originating from Yorkshire in England. This particular Y-chromosome had only previously been found in 25 people, all living in West Africa. The male in question had traced his ancestors back to the mid 1700s, using the traditional genealogists’ research tools--birth, marriage, and death certificates--but had found no indications that he had an African ancestry. As a result of the findings, DNA samples were taken from a further 18 males with the same surname, of whom seven were found to have the same Y-chromosome.

Whilst there was significant immigration into Britain in the mid 20th century, this can be discounted in this case, because the family line has successfully been traced back to the 1700s without any notable African ancestry emerging. It has been suggested that the line may date back to the Roman invasion and settlement of Britain, because their army in about 200AD included a garrison of North African soldiers. However, a more plausible explanation lies with the 18th century slave trade. During this era approximately 10,000 African slaves were domiciled in Britain. Whilst there is little direct evidence to show that they had any impact on British genetic links, the fact that many of them were abducted from West Africa cannot be ignored.

In another piece of research undertaken by the University, some interesting facts emerged about Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the USA. It was found that he fathered at least one illegitimate sibling, a son, by one of his slaves, Sally Hemmings. Again this was found by studying the Y-chromosome. Jefferson had an unusual “K2”, Y-chromosome, which is common to the Middle East and Eastern African region, but also has been traced to France, Spain, and England. The chromosome in question was also traced to two males from Yorkshire and the west Midlands. They were part of a random sample of 85 males sharing the surname Jefferson, who can now claim that Thomas Jefferson is part of their ancestry.

By joining and taking part in this project, you will be sharing an exciting and unknown adventure, as we attempt to unravel the mysteries of our ancestry. Who knows what we will discover in our amazing journey back in time, and where it will take us? Whilst we are attempting to resolve the age old enigma of the ancestry ofJohn Keep of Longmeadow, what else will we discover? Do we share genetic links with other well-documented Keep Lines, and where did we originate from? The only way we can succeed is by attracting a wide ranging group of participants, so why not join us? You can find out more by going to other pages on this site.