The Cumberland Gap Yline project aims to reconnect families whose ancestors settled in the counties surrounding the Cumberland Gap. The project uses DNA testing to explore the ancestry and relationships of early pioneer families who settled in the area. Family Tree DNA provides three types of projects for people to join, which are free to join and run by volunteer project administrators.
The Cumberland Gap Mitochondrial DNA Project is the largest mitochondrial DNA project worldwide. Roberta founded the Lost Colony Genealogy and DNA Research group in the area. Project administrators ensure that all variants of the surname are listed in their project.
To find the surname project best suited for you, simply go to Family Tree DNA and enter your surname into the surname search box. Project administrators should be sure that all variants of the surname are listed in your project. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing may be the breakthrough you need by unlocking new avenues of research, allowing you to trace your direct maternal line.
If you don’t know whether a project exists for your surname, there are two ways to find out: sign on to your personal page and use the Advanced Matching tool to see who you are related to in any project. Most DNA projects are hosted at Family Tree DNA. Participation in a DNA project is one method of collaboration, and several types of projects may help us find information to apply to our genealogical questions.
In summary, the Cumberland Gap Yline project focuses on reconnecting various families whose ancestors settled in the counties surrounding the Cumberland Gap. The project is free to join and is run by volunteer project administrators with specific interests in the topic at hand.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Cumberland Gap-mtDNA – Overview | The focus of this project is to reconnect the various families whose ancestors settled in the counties surrounding the Cumberland Gap. | familytreedna.com |
| How to Join a Project at FamilyTreeDNA – And Why You … | Family Tree DNA provides three types of projects for their customers to join. All projects are free to join and are run by volunteer project administrators. | dna-explained.com |
| Who Am I Related To? – Using Family Tree DNA’s Tools … | First, sign on to your personal page. You can see who you are related to in any project by using the Advanced Matching tool that is available … | nativeheritageproject.com |
📹 Making a Family Tree for the Entire World
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How Far Back Could You Trace A Lineage Of MtDNA?
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) testing traces maternal ancestry back 150, 000 to 200, 000 years to a common ancestor known as "Mitochondrial DNA Eve," who lived in Africa. This testing allows individuals to explore their direct maternal lineage, as mtDNA is passed from mothers to their children. Genetic testing can uncover maternal ancestors with a high degree of confidence, particularly through Full Sequence mtDNA tests showing a perfect match (genetic distance of 0), suggesting a shared maternal ancestor.
In contrast, Y-DNA testing, which traces paternal lineage, can typically follow ancestry back about 150 to 200 years or about 6 to 8 generations. While mtDNA offers insights into a maternal line spanning thousands of years, it is limited to one line due to its maternal inheritance pattern. Ancestry tests can help individuals piece together family histories that reach remarkable historical depths, often several hundred years back into their ancestry.
When combining various DNA tests, including mtDNA and Y-DNA, users can gain a broader perspective on their roots, extending potentially back to 1, 000 years. As a result, all humans today can connect their lineage back to this single maternal ancestor, emphasizing the shared heritage among all people.
How Do I Find A Family Tree Based On MtDNA?
FamilyTreeDNA presents two views for constructing family trees: Family View and Pedigree View. The Pedigree View is particularly useful for tracing mtDNA, which is inherited matrilineally, allowing you to visualize your maternal lineage easily. By identifying known ancestors along this line and conducting traditional genealogy research, you can expand family trees and connect to shared ancestors. Your mtDNA haplogroup, defined by specific mutations or SNPs, can help uncover maternal ancestry through archaeological insights.
Finding relatives in the mtDNA database enables exploration of detailed family trees and tracing matrilineal lines across generations. Additionally, FamilyTreeDNA employs STR results to predict haplogroups, assisting in the discovery of genetic cousins. The mtFull Sequence test offers matches linked to common matrilineal ancestors, along with tools to expand and verify your family tree. By focusing solely on your maternal ancestry, you can utilize mtDNA testing to overcome genealogical challenges and enrich your understanding of your heritage. FamilyTreeDNA supports comprehensive research with its mtDNA resources, making it the go-to option for those interested in deepening their genealogical knowledge.
How Many Generations Back Does Mitochondrial DNA Go?
An mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) test can uncover both recent and distant maternal lineage, with the specifics varying by individual. A match on the HVR1 region suggests a 50% chance of sharing a maternal ancestor from over 52 generations ago, about 1, 300 years. Mutations occur infrequently, making a person's mtDNA likely identical to their direct maternal ancestor from twelve generations back, facilitating connections across time. The extent of DNA tracing depends on the tested type and sensitivity of the test.
Mitochondrial DNA, passed exclusively from mothers to their children, mutates ten times slower than other DNA, allowing for deeper ancestral insights. In general, mtDNA testing can trace lineages back 150, 000 to 200, 000 years to a common female ancestor, dubbed "Mitochondrial Eve." Each generation is typically estimated at 25 years, implying that 1, 000 years correlates with around 40 generations. Most common DNA tests reveal ancestry roughly six to eight generations, equating to 150 to 200 years.
Although the Y chromosome can also track paternal lineage effectively, mtDNA offers insights into maternal ancestry. Despite mtDNA tests potentially tracing up to 30 generations, most commercial tests report ancestry going back only six to eight generations, as by then, most DNA has been replaced by newer ancestral DNA. Overall, mtDNA is a powerful tool for exploring maternal ancestry.
What Are MtDNA Haplogroups?
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups are critical for tracing direct maternal lineages, as mtDNA is inherited from mothers to all offspring. These haplogroups serve as major branch points on the mitochondrial phylogenetic tree, allowing researchers to understand the evolution of female lineages and human migrations. Defined by specific polymorphisms, mtDNA haplogroups represent clusters of genetically similar haplotypes that descend from common ancestors, such as the well-known Mitochondrial Eve.
For instance, the haplogroup J1c2f can illustrate individual lineage connections. In contrast to paternal Y-DNA haplogroups, which track male lineage, mtDNA haplogroups focus solely on maternal ancestry. Each haplogroup delineates a unique grouping of mtDNA sequences and their variations. Understanding these genetic classifications can reveal insights into human evolution, population distributions, and migration patterns over millennia.
The study of mtDNA likeness is key to reconstructing genealogies and clarifying how diverse human populations are interconnected. Overall, mtDNA haplogroups play an essential role in tracing back to common maternal ancestors and understanding human ancestry at a deeper level.
What Is The Most Common Mitochondrial Haplogroup?
Haplogroup H is the predominant mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup in Eurasia, particularly in Europe, where it significantly influenced population expansion following the Last Glacial Maximum, approximately 20, 000 years ago. Mitochondrial DNA, categorized into genealogical groups known as haplogroups, assists in tracing historical population movements, with most major haplogroups dating back to the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, or Neolithic periods.
Haplogroups are defined by inherited genetic markers from a common maternal ancestor and can reveal both ancient and recent lineages, some only a few centuries old. Haplogroup H, with frequencies of 40-50% in European populations, encompasses various subclades that contribute to our understanding of genetic ancestry. Mitochondrial DNA is a circular entity (16, 569 base pairs) that is exclusively inherited from one's biological mother, exhibiting no recombination.
Recent studies highlight differences in frequency between haplogroup H—common in Western Europe—and haplogroup L, prevalent in Africa. The macro-haplogroup HV, from which haplogroup H descends, represents a significant percentage of the population, demonstrating its pivotal role in human mtDNA phylogeny and genetic diversity across Europe.
Who In My Family Has The Same MtDNA As Me?
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited exclusively from the biological mother, meaning both males and females share the same mtDNA with their siblings, maternal grandmother, and preceding generations. This direct maternal inheritance allows individuals to trace their matrilineal lineage back through many generations, often hundreds of years. By examining mitochondrial DNA matches, people can identify relatives who share a common maternal ancestry.
When evaluating potential matches, individuals should consider those from the same geographical area. It is important to note that a mtDNA match does not automatically confirm a familial connection, as the matches depend on the similarity of mtDNA sequences. Companies like Family Tree DNA offer mtDNA testing, providing lists of matches that include the haplogroup information necessary for identification. Unlike autosomal DNA, mtDNA changes very little over generations, which means additional tests on the same matrilineal line are generally unnecessary.
One can explore family trees and find new relatives through mtDNA databases, enhancing the understanding of maternal ancestry. The stability of mtDNA over time allows for robust tracking of lineage, while mutation maps provide insights into migration patterns. Overall, mtDNA testing is a valuable tool for uncovering deep maternal roots and connections across generations.
Which Autosomal DNA Tests Provide A Partial MtDNA Haplogroup?
Autosomal DNA tests can provide a partial mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup, with results available from companies like 23andMe, Living DNA, and FamilyTreeDNA's Family Finder. There are three primary types of DNA tests: Y-DNA, mtDNA, and autosomal. Forensic genetic genealogy utilizes mtDNA and Y-DNA testing, which can yield insights not available through autosomal SNP testing alone. For those interested in Y-DNA testing, starting with the Y-37 Marker test can help familiarize individuals with Y-DNA results and the Y-111 test is beneficial for group projects.
Autosomal tests, which inherit DNA from both parents, identify living relatives within about 5 generations. mtDNA is unique as it is found outside the cell nucleus and is inherited matrilineally, while Y-DNA is exclusive to males. FamilyTreeDNA offers diverse testing options, unlike others that typically focus on autosomal testing. Mitochondrial tests provide a haplogroup indicative of maternal ancestry and can reveal migration history. The Big Y-700 test aids in identifying shared paternal ancestors.
While autosomal tests can indicate haplogroups, more detailed insights can be gained from specific Y-DNA or mtDNA tests for an in-depth understanding of one’s ancestry. Key providers of autosomal DNA testing include AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA, and Living DNA.
Does FamilyTreeDNA Provide A Partial Haplogroup?
FamilyTreeDNA has discontinued earlier mtDNA tests such as mtDNA and mtPlus, which only analyzed portions of the mitochondria, specifically HVR1 and HVR2. Consequently, these tests yield partial haplogroups. While FamilyTreeDNA can predict haplogroups through STR tests, these predictions typically place individuals at the main branches of haplogroups that trace back to the Stone Ages. Some autosomal DNA tests offer partial Y-DNA and mtDNA haplogroups from various sources like Family Finder, 23andMe, and Living DNA, relying on results from past Genographic Projects.
In general, tests other than Big Y-700 provide partial haplogroups, reflecting ancestry likely from the Metal Age (around 10, 000 years ago). Predicted haplogroups arise from preliminary STR tests, while confirmed haplogroups are determined only through SNP testing like the Big Y-700. Full sequencing of DNA is essential to receive comprehensive haplogroup analyses, contrasting with autosomal tests that often deliver limited insights. The current mtDNA haplotree, Phylotree version 17, includes over 24, 000 samples.
Family Tree DNA also highlights haplogroup information, revealing anthropological origins alongside mtDNA matches. However, it is important to note that haplogroup data from different testing companies may not be directly comparable as they utilize various markers. Tools like Haplogroup Origins are valuable yet often overlooked, providing insights into an individual's familial lineage and matches. Ultimately, FamilyTreeDNA continues to evolve its offerings in genetic genealogy, enhancing user understanding of ancestral backgrounds while navigating the complexities of DNA testing.
Does 23AndMe Use MtDNA?
23andMe analyzes various types of DNA, specifically targeting certain genetic variants across the genome, including autosomal DNA (chromosomes 1-22), sex chromosomes (X and Y), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This genetic analysis is part of the 23andMe Personal Genetic Service, which aims to provide comprehensive information about your ancestry through autosomal DNA. The maternal haplogroup report, based on mtDNA inherited from your mother, illustrates ancient human migration patterns over thousands of years, showcasing how populations moved from eastern Africa to inhabit the world.
While FamilyTreeDNA provides detailed mitochondrial genetic tests, 23andMe offers a more general overview of haplogroups. The analysis enables users to trace their maternal lineage and offers insights into the ancestry of maternal ancestors. Importantly, customers can access both their maternal (mtDNA) and paternal (Y-DNA, for males) haplogroups through 23andMe’s platform. Though 23andMe's mtDNA haplogroup results may differ from those of other testing companies, they still provide significant insights into the user's lineage. Overall, 23andMe combines extensive genetic data to help individuals uncover their ancestral stories and the wider context of human migration.
What Information About Family Trees Can You Get Only From Mitochondrial DNA?
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) tests are essential for tracing maternal ancestry, as mtDNA is inherited exclusively from mothers to their offspring, enabling both males and females to partake in these tests. This unique inheritance allows individuals to explore and construct detailed family trees based on mtDNA matches, helping uncover maternal ancestors and their migratory patterns throughout history. While both genders possess mitochondria, only women pass mtDNA to future generations.
By examining mtDNA, genealogists can discover new relatives, learn about their heritage, and identify their maternal haplogroup—a genealogical tree of maternal lineages linked to shared ancestors. Mutations in mtDNA provide further insights into lineage divergence. FamilyTreeDNA offers X-DNA matching and an extensive public mtDNA tree, providing essential resources for research. Although less common than nuclear DNA, mtDNA is a useful tool for genealogical investigation, helping to overcome brick walls in matrilineal lines.
As researchers delve into their mtDNA haplogroups, they can discern maternal connections and track ancestry back to Mitochondrial Eve. The significance of mitochondrial DNA aligns with a deeper understanding of ancestral origins and connections through time, making it an invaluable asset in genetic genealogy.
📹 What Details Should I Save to My Family Tree? Genealogy Basics
And what additional details might you want to track to highlight details about your ancestors in an organized fashion?
I met a historian/genealogist several years ago that taught me many important investigative techniques. This enabled me to find 2nd cousins as well as the burial site of my great-great grandparents in a town next to the one I was living with. I was able to interview my grandfather enough to gain crucial information before his passing.
Collaborative family trees: at least for the one tree on FamilySearch, I know there are errors that I have had to fix repeatedly, because someone(s) keep trying to connect the wrong person(s). And on Ancestry, their app a few years ago which claimed to give the user their connection to famous people continually gave me connections which were clearly false because of the wrong parentage of certain ancestors, connections made because ancestors for whom the record trail ends (usually women born in the 18th century) were given parents by someone long ago on Ancestry that happen to be pure (and poor) speculation.
I ended up sharing a duplex with a 70 yr old Navajo woman who had been kidnapped by Mormons at birth with her twin. She ended up being the Church Genealogist. Her big disappointment was that Navajos have NOTHING to do with someone who has past. No records. No marked grave. Thru her birth family, who she found when she was 30, she found out that her Grandmother had survived the Great Walk as a child.
Not a fan of Geni due to their being no source requirements to back up the profiles – lots of “Fake” connections. Also Geni Basic (the free version) is not that useful. To get the full use out of it you need to upgrade to Geni Pro at 119.40 – Another world tree WikiTree I think is much better at doing this and it is truly 100% FREE.
ha. a few stories for you. at the local Family History centre. sitting side by side with an older lady. we had both done DNA test with Ancestry. I was looking at the map of where matches lived ( depending on if they did that info) was looking at Eastern Canada area. she looks over and said where did you find a map. so I tell her and then show her where I was looking. and we had the Same person as a match. so we started looking in our distant cousin matches and dang if we didn’t find each others names as a match.!! My son has a small tree on Family Search. they have a Are we related app if you happen to be on it the same time as people around you. the girl he is dating showed up at 11th cousin !!! 😂😂
I have no problem with the “one tree” concept, as long as the entries are used as hints and opportunities for collaboration. I do work some with Family Search, and more with Wiki Tree. I have had a tree up at Geni for years. But I have had big issues with Geni some years ago. Would love to know if this has been fixed! I gave up, and walked away…. Short story, there were a number of ‘living people’ problems having all of their info available, including the children of a woman dealing with a violent ex. She couldn’t change their status. Neither could I. And no one from Geni itself could be reached. Every part of the “support” contacts merely sent you through many steps to end up looping back to the “community”. Fine. But several there also couldn’t fix the status, and their recommendation to contact support led to the same endless loop. Spent a long time trying to bypass ‘the loop’, but fruitlessly. Are there real adults in the room at Geni nowadays? Is actual support staff available if there are big issues? Or are they still depending on the the kids in the class to fix all problems? Even ones that the older, experienced Geni kids also can’t fix? The Family Search tree and Wiki Tree both have actual support pros that can deal with these things. If Geni has grown up and can do this, I would like to come back and play. Otherwise, not so much….
Hey there its me James Omoz I just sent you notification to view my Ancestry DNA matches, its a tool Ancestry DNA allows people to have access view to see comparative matches Mr Jarrett, brilliant work on what your doing an Wow its amazing with the World family 🌳 I never knew about it until now by perusal your YouTube I’ve just subscribed to you 😎
I am currently uploading Korean Jokbo enteries to Geni and to anyone who asks the Jokbo is one of the largest genealogy records in the world which goes back at least 2000 years before it becomes a bit mythical and are consider relatively accurate by us Korean Studies Mark Peterson From the Frog outside the well Research Center and even many Contemporary Korean Historical Scolars Has the same opinion as him.
Hey bro! Speaking of family tree, I have a 4th cousin who I’m trying to figure out how we are related…I believe we are related through my Scottish ancestry which I am only 4 percent…She’s white and im African American and we share 26 cM’s of DNA….Do you think it’s possible to find out how you’re related to 4th cousins or they are too distant? I’m eager to find out how tho
I am not a fan of Geni. A few years ago I asked for advice on how to find a record for my ancestor. Next thing I know there is a snippet on that ancestors profile. When I asked where did it come I got no response. They are not helpful and don’t require a source to prove relationships. Also the price is too much and you have to pay in order to merge any profiles. Sorry I will stick to WikiTree which is free and there are very helpful people there. I am sad that you didn’t talk about WikiTree which is a collaborative tree. They had you as a guest in 2021 and worked on your tree for you. If you are giving a shout out to making a family tree for the entire world then you need to mention them all. FamilySearch family tree is also free but not as good as WikiTree.
Geni and I have issues! Mom and Dad are 1C1R and Geni kept insisting Madonna was related to both my mom and dad…I’m from Ontario, Canada btw. Madonna’s mother or grandmother is from Montreal, Quebec. The connection Geni suggested didn’t make sense at all so I did my research! Madonna’s ancestor was married to one of my ancestors, they didn’t have any children together and parted ways and both remarried. Madonna is in no way biologically related to me and we couldn’t share DNA at all but yet Geni insisted! That sort of thing lowers confidence or trust! BTW, I am related to Ryan Gosling five different ways and a lot of his ancestors were from my hometown and he attended school at my current location.
Hoping to one day figure out my paternal 5th great grandparent. It’s debated as to if their name is Francis (being 5th great grandfather) or Frances (making them my 5th great grandmother). They are the only one named. So, either the mother isn’t known or they were a single mother (oops, back then, scandalous!). I’m working with relatives on this and it’s driving us nuts. We’re mainly working on WikiTree. No idea if anyone of us is working on Geni.
Wikitree is more stable and well sourced, but for my personal research it’s not very useful because of the huge bias it has towards Western Europe. This is true about Geni also but it is at least much bigger. My primary interest is Jewish genealogy and Geni has an amazing amount of Jewish profiles. I think the biggest problem with Geni is that it incentivizes mistakes by making it much harder to fix them unless you have a pro membership. If it took searching for matching profiles out from behind a paywall and got rid of the ability to automatically add people from myheritage trees (which are not super accurate) it would be much better.
I am not really sure if Geni can be ever be complete or even near complete, as there are plenty of blank spots, orphans, people who don’t know who one or more of their parents are, many people throughout human history with no written records (even if we are limited it to only a few thousand or even just a couple of centuries, there are still a lot of people with no written records of their existence). If we are only using written records, it does not seem possible for Geni to become complete, especially as it gets more complicated when you are getting into adoption, marriages, and different conceptions of gender. If we use genetic information, you would need an absurd amount of DNA samples from everyone, and it is very likely that genetic information could conflict with the official parentage of someone, due to “illegitimate” children, parents knowingly or unknowingly claiming children that are not genetically theirs, mistaken information, sperm and egg donorships, etc… This will get even more complex as we start having children born with three (or more) genetic parents.
What I don’t like about this, is that people can change your tree. I have found and made connections that no other trees have made, and what they have is incorrect, for example, in one instance, just because on a Census it says mother-in-law, does not mean that is the head’s wife’s maiden name. so for this example, on an Wales Census there is an Elizabeth Williams and she is the mother-in-law of the Head of the household (David Prothero), so everyone has his wife Mary’s maiden name as Williams, I was not convinced of this because the only parish marriage record I found was for David Prothero and Mary Lewis in 1826 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, which is the right place and time, so I wanted to confirm it, because I thought maybe her mother might have re-married, I found what I thought was Elizabeth Williams death registration on the GRO (General Registrar’s Office) and ordered the pdf, which said she was the widow of David Williams, so I then found a marriage record on FMP, which stated in 1834 David Williams (Widower) and Elizabeth Lewis (Widow) were married, so then I thought this is pretty good evidence that proves my theory, then I thought maybe it wasn’t absolute proof, so I thought that they had a couple of children born after Civil Registration, so I looked on a Census record and found Henry, so ordered a pdf of his birth registration, which stated his mother was Mary Prothero formerly Lewis. So, I have proof positive that Mary’s maiden name was Lewis not Williams. My direct ancestor was David and Mary’s son Jonathan Prothero.
Is it truly a sign of prosperity when births increase or is it caused by maternal deaths making it necessary for males to find up to 3 partners in a lifetime or do wars cut down on males, thereby decreasing new Haplo groups. Many poor on Earth have several wives and up to 25 children. The more children you have, the more possible help you will later have with farming or working. Some children will hopefully survive. This comment belongs to the Haplo group article which was just here but then went and hid. In our family, one woman had 3 husbands, 14 children and we are descendants of the last child. Her last partner, after her death, also had to marry again to help take care of that big family.
Generally speaking I have more problems with the nobility family members than any other. Though this problem is consistent across the collaborative family trees: geni, wikitree, and familysearch. WikiTree and Familysearch are easy to correct, but are a consistent drama. Geni? Having Curators and managers changes things. There are some truly amazing Curators and managers on Geni and fix issues swiftly. I’ve had a few people falsely add their ancestors with no proper sources (their source being FamilySearch or their Myheritage tree) to my Mackenzies line. Discussion was opened and they were fixed. There was a problem with a Grant. A distant uncle has falsely connected to a family in the US. This Grant in question is least 2 maybe 3 different people that were mixed into 1 profile. Someone else picked up on it some time ago and seperated them into 2 profiles. Recently more sources were found and the Grant of Limepotts profile now makes more sense. As the curators and managers are volunteers not all changes happen swiftly. They have lifes outside of Geni and so do I. This means messages and discussions go an unanswered for months.
The host of errors on this tree — especially the further back you go — is truly disheartening. It is well on the way to joining the sad irrelevance of the horrifying “member submitted” trees on Familysearch. I would look, sure, but avoid citing as an authority unless you have seen primary sources and proven the links for yourself. If you are looking for common names and surnames, probably not even worth your time to check.
All collaborative trees contain loads of errors and there is a chronic lack of reliable sources included with the information uploaded. Not a fan of Geni. The free version is difficult to use. Very few people add reliable sources to their work. They keep count of contributions, which encourages gamification, leading to quantity not quality. I have spent many hours correcting info for my family on Geni, including wrong connections. There’s no way I am paying a subscription to fix junk genealogy.