DNA Y-Chromosome Project

The Project was started in 2006

AIMS

To take forward and expand the science of DNA analysis, using the Y-Chromosome, to prove links of members of the society.

OBJECTIVES

• Identify members of the society, and others who are related.
• Validate existing research.
• Link the “loose ends” of various pedigree tables where there is no known ancestor, but known descendants. This will then give lines of research to follow.
• Expand the research to include those who have already carried out this analysis.
• To encourage those persons to join the society.
• Publish this paper on the web-site www.cavefhs.com encourage others to take part.

METHOD

Six members of the society expressed early interest in this project and formed the basis of the Founder Members.

• Family group of 24 generations based in Rugby, South Leicestershire and Yorkshire.
• Family group based in Lancashire.
• Family group based in North Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and possibly Leicester.
• Family group based in Leicester.
• Family group based in London and South Leicestershire.
• Family group based in London and Warwickshire.

Hugh Cave, Chairman and Founder of the society to be the Project Manager/Group Administrator for this project.

Family Tree DNA would hold the sample, secure, for 25 years in case further analysis was required. The sample would be destroyed, earlier, on request of the individual.

12 Marker analysis will establish common ancestry somewhere in the past. This is, by necessity a bit vague in time scale. This can be extended, at a later date to 37 Markers.

As an example, 37 Marker analysis would give greater detail of where that common ancestor could be as indicated in the chart below:

The 12 Marker test would not be able to work to this level of certainty, 94% would be achieved by 300 years.

Bear in mind that 100 years is only to 1900; 200 years is 1800; 300 years is 1700.

Most of us have our ancestry back to the early 1700’s, we think!

With the Leicestershire groups we have ancestry back to the early 1600’s, 400 years!

 ACTION

• Proposals have been circulated to all founder members and accepted.
• A “Service Provider” has been selected by majority of the Founder Members. This to be Family Tree DNA of Texas.
• The project will start by offering a 12 Marker analysis to establish the possibility of common ancestry, or possible location of the family groups. Any member can chose to have a 37 Marker analysis carried out at the start. This will not jeopardize the whole project. The first 12 Markers will be used to compare results with others.
• Advice of the proposal to carry out a DNA analysis has been given to all members through Volume 6 No 9 of the newsletter. Details will be sent to selected members by email.
• Proposals have been include on the web site www.cave-fhs.org.uk Update No 56 dated 25th October 2006.
• On opening the project, all details of the initial participants to be sent to that provider to initiate the exercise.

 CLARIFICATION OF THE PROJECT

 Privacy –

• Each participant is allocated a unique reference number.
• Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) controls the Surname Database Library, this includes names and a unique reference number. Arizona Research Laboratory, part of the University of Arizona (UofA), keeps the DNA sample and result and the unique number, for 25 years (unless instructed to destroy by the participant).
• FTDNA maintains the database with no access to the sample.
• Surnames, only will be displayed on the FTDNA web site.
• The Project Manager/Group Administrator (currently Hugh Cave) will allocate a CaveFHS number, county/country of ancestry lineage and the result in the Newsletter and on the Cave FHS web site. At no time will he, or his successors publish names against results.
• DNA testing by FTDNA does not identify diseases.

 Participants –

• Any male member with direct male lineage of the Cave line can take part.
• Any female member has need to find a male relation who is prepared to take part in this project.

 Cost –

• Members are advised to contact Family Tree DNA to obtain Project Cost for 37 Marker Y DNA

 Tests –

•  The results are based on comparison of members taking part.
•  Two individuals are considered to be related in the 12 Marker test if 12 out of 12 markers match. Due to known mutations this could be extended to 11 out of 12, or even in extreme cases 10 out of 12.
•  It is recommended that in the first two cases the tests should be extended to the 37 Marker test. This can only be done if the participant has not requested that his sample is destroyed.
•  By these methods the analysis of our Most Recent Common Ancestor can be identified as follows:
•  12 marker test
•  7 generations – 50% likelihood.
•  29 generations – 95% likelihood.
•  37 marker test
•  2 generations – 50% likelihood.
•  7 generations – 95% likelihood.
•  Results could take 7 – 9 weeks from dispatch by the participant. Each participant will receive a Test Certificate and report. The PM/GA will receive all test reports.

 Ways & Means –

•  Hugh Cave currently (21st October 2013) holds 2 x No 37 Marker Kits at £85.00 for UK members. Non UK members please contact Family Tree DNA, join the Cave Project and costs will be advsied.

 Test Kits –

•  Each participant will receive, in his kit, Instructions and two scrapers and tubes. Both must be used. There will also be Release Form to enable your results to be published.
•  The participant to dispatch the samples to FTDNA.
•  FTDNA will process the samples and, after 7 – 9 weeks notify the participant, and the PM/GA of the results.

Hugh Cave, Project Manager/Group Administrator (HC, PM/GA)