Intermediate and Advanced Y-DNA Topics

Oct 2022 Beyond STRs

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FeatureImage Advanced Y-DNA

Deep dive into Y-DNA NextGen SNP genetic genealogy tests like Big Y-700 and YSeq WGS
From Biology to Data to the Phylogenetic Tree to Geographic Interpretation

– Explanation of raw read alignment to the genome which produces your SNP results
– Understanding your terminal SNP and why it changes
– How to use Novel Variants / Unnamed Variants to extend the phylogenetic tree for your family
– Tips on getting the most info and avoiding bugs in current tools using real world examples

Y-DNA SNP Database Characterization

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Vertical bar chart showing the five most densely sampled countries for Y-DNA: Ireland, Finland, UK, Norway, and Sweden.

Analysis of sample count and sampling density of the Y-DNA SNP results in the Family Tree DNA results database. Comparison of World, European, and British Isles figures by country, Y haplotype, and phylogenetic tree branch count.

Y-DNA Genetic Signature of the Savran-Bendery Chassidic Dynasty

Connecting to the Great Rabbinic Families through Y-DNA

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Thumbnail map of Hassidic Court sites in 19th century Eastern Europe.

Genetic genealogy study focused on the Y-DNA pedigree of the Savran-Bendery Chassidic dynasty from Ukraine and Bessarabia during the nineteenth century. Genealogical and Y chromosome genetic data are presented. All patrilineal descendants of the Wertheim-Giterman rabbinical lineage share the L117 SNP of Y-DNA haplogroup E, previously described as E-M35, E-M35.1 and E1b1b1 in the literature.

Preliminary Phylogenetic Analysis of Briese Family Relationships

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Surname origin map thumbnail centered on Prussia

A comparison was made of 37 STR markers on the Y-chromosome of eight individuals bearing the surname Briese. Based on paper records, two of these individuals were known to be related, but relationships could not be determined for others. The genetic study showed three distinct genetic lineages bearing the Briese surname. Five of the eight were shown to have had a common ancestor within genealogical time, which suggests that a cluster of related Briese families lived in the Deutsch Krone area of West Prussia in the 18th century. A sixth individual, originating from a different geographic region, Meseritz in Posen, was more distantly related, while the remaining two individuals were not related at all, either to the group or to each other. While not providing proof, these findings agree with the hypothesis that the Briese surname originated as a place name that was initially adopted by unrelated people. This would result in distinct clusters of more-closely related families, genetically distinct from other such clusters. Genetic genealogy can help to determine relationships between emigrant Briese families and those remaining in Germany. More individuals from Briese families with known origins are needed to participate in this study to confirm and enlarge on these preliminary findings.

Using STRs for Intra-Family Y-DNA Comparisons: Segmenting Markers

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Notional tree diagram of four descendants of common ancestor using a segmenting marker.

Counting Y-DNA STR differences is a poor discriminator for members of the same family. Unless a very large number of markers are used, matching cannot be used with a statistically significant degree of accuracy to establish whether someone is more closely related even to second cousins. However there are other methods that may be used to distinguish degrees of relatedness. We present a simple and useful test which involves finding a “segmenting marker” which can establish relative consanguinity with some accuracy, and we give a real-life example of its use to show from which of two 17th Century brothers a man of partly unknown origins descended.

Y-DNA of the British Monarchy

A review on the occasion of the birth of the Prince of Cambridge

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List of British Monarchs and Patriarchs 1603-2013

A review was made of existing genetic genealogy findings that infer characteristics of the Y-DNA of members of the British Monarchy. Nine sustained Y-DNA lineages since the year 927 CE were noted as dynastic groups. Haplogroup and haplotype characteristics of three of the dynasties were presented with two more dynasties noted as testable but unpublished. Cultural and geographical origins of these dynasties were considered as context for their DNA haplogroups. Specimen candidates for further testing were identified noting that some will require Ancient DNA (aDNA) recovery and analysis.