About us
OCTOBER 2020
Project up for adoption.
DECEMBER 2010
We have received a number of enquiries, particularly when (as now) there are special discounts available. Current applicants: please don't forget to order/pay for your kit before December 31st!
Re the 'NO-SHOW CANTON' mentioned below: he has sent us a Christmas card but no comment about his unreturned kit.
MAY 2010
One of our members has applied for the Family Finder test and another is thinking hard about it! Go to http://www.familytreedna.com/
See Family Finder in the top left-hand corner and click on 'Learn More'. See Results tab.
MARCH 2010
The CANTON SURNAME PROJECT has been running for just over two years. Six people, male and with the Canton surname, have taken Y-DNA tests for 37 markers. A further person has purchased a kit and we hope soon to have news of its return to the lab. Two people of Canton descent (including myself) have had an mtDNA test, which investigates deep ancestry via the female line.
Y-DNA RESULTS
These can be seen on the accompanying chart – this is some relevant background.
ABBREVIATIONS:
GL: Gloucestershire / K: Kent / L: Lampeter Velfrey / M: Martletwy / Mn: Manorbier / NZ: New Zealand / P: Pembrokeshire or Pembroke / S: Stackpole / R: Rhoscrowther /
PEM A
This is shorthand for the purposes of this report and the display of results. It indicates those participants who clearly have a common ancestor, most likely in Martletwy, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
#107126 is a member of line PM/S
#107827 from line PR
#113261 from line PM/NZ
#121546 from PM/K .
The latter two have particularly well documented descents from Henry Canton of Martletwy, through both parish registers and probate documents. There are more differences (mutations) than might have been expected, but these results have been assessed independently and are considered within the range of normal. Line PR descends from an illegitimate child born in Rhoscrowther, with his father named as George Canton. There are two possible candidates for this man. DNA results suggest that he is more likely a member of PM/P (closely related to PM/S); however, without a test of PMn (the line of the ‘other’ George, which may also be descended from Martletwy), it is unsafe to draw a firm conclusion.
PEM B
#108320 from line PL.
As this participant’s results were quite different, I named his group PEM B. I would expect that, if we can test more people with Pembrokeshire ancestry, some would be in PEM A, others in PEM B. In other words, not even in Pembs are all Cantons related! However, they all – so far - belong to Haplogroup I1, a group which has, as might be expected from Canton history in Pembrokeshire, ultimately non-Welsh origins.
GL
Our final test in the first year of the Project was of a descendant (line GL/A4) of John Canton, the 18th century scientist. This has turned out to be completely different from all the Pembrokeshire tests. It is not considered sufficient to test just one person per documented line, so we must hope for someone else to come forward to verify this – or otherwise. As it is, this participant is part of Haplogroup R1b1b2, basically more representative of native stock than I1.
The following show the lines of descent of participants so far:
PEM A
#107126 Henry d.1763 -> John (1730) -> John (1764) -> William (1800) -> John (1830) -> George (1878) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
#107827 George (fl.1832) -> William (1832) -> Thomas George (1866) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
#113261 Henry d.1763 -> John (1730) -> Charles (1761) -> Henry (1796) -> John (1834) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
#121546 Henry d.1763 -> John (1730) -> Charles (1761) -> Thomas (1798) -> Charles (1832) -> Robert (1858) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
PEM B
#108320 John (1771) -> John (1824) -> Timothy (1869) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
GLS
#131188 John -> (c.1660) ->John (1687) -> John (1718) -> William (1748) -> George Augustus (1790) -> Alfred G. -> (1815) Frederick (1847) -> Participants’s grandfather –> Participants’s father –> Participant.
GENERAL
We are closing in on the mysteries of PEM A group, but we really do need more participants before we can draw conclusions, even about this group. For the other groups, further progress is completely dependent on more candidates for tests. Please, even if you cannot take a test yourself, do try to recruit new members. I will be very happy to give advice on any aspect of the Project.
DNA testing is one of the most exciting developments in historical research, opening up new possibilities where (as in Pembrokeshire generally) there is a dearth of 18th century documents (I write as someone long involved in academic history).
PLEASE NOTE:
* There is at present a free kit available for the first PM/P descendant to test. Effectively this means a descendant of James Canton (1843-1930) through his sons, grandsons, etc. We should obtain very useful information from this to add to our knowledge of the group PEM A.
* We still need someone to test from the line which was in 18C and 19C Manorbier, Pembrokeshire.
* We also need a participant from the line which was in 18-19C Freystrop, Pembrokeshire, and which moved to Nolton Haven.
* In fact, any new participants, of known or unknown lines, from Britain or overseas, will be very welcome in the Project. Further discount vouchers are often available.
RE: NO-SHOW CANTON ;-)
The third person to apply for a test,around January 2008, had written me a very enthusiastic letter at Christmas 2007. His test was never returned, although I wrote and emailed him several times. Then, at Christmas 2009, he sent another letter, saying he would soon send off his test specimen - he had, as I feared, been ill. I contacted FTDNA, who told me his test would still be valid and I passed on this information to him. Now, four months later, there is still no sign of it being returned to FTDNA.
Naturally, I don't want to pester anyone, so that is where it remains for now. As I told everyone involved at the start of this, the project is *long-term*. I have found similar experiences among Guild colleagues - people come to the fore at the most unexpected times. Therefore, no member should decide that it is at an end!
I have offered financial incentives to various individuals from a number of lines - money does not seem to be the problem. Younger and more active people may come forward, who have a real interest in the study.
MtDNA is the test which provides information on your maternal line, mother's mother's mother and so on, and so on. We have two tests so far (click on the mtDNA button at the side). Of course, this doesn't contribute to solving problems in the Canton-surname lines, but it is of interest to know one's maternal origins and FTDNA discounts apply to these tests as well!
We have established a General Fund, to accept donations in any currency via credit card. These funds will be held at the testing company, and used to help sponsor test kits for key males who may otherwise be unable to participate. We encourage you to make a donation, however small. To make a donation please click on the last link on the left, entitled "Contribute to the Surname Project General Fund". If you decide to donate, please specify "Canton Project General Fund" in the top box of the Donation form - if you wish, you may donate in someone's memory and/or specify the line it should apply to.
Applicants for tests who wish to apply for a discount from donations should contact the Administrator first, sending details of names, dates and places connected with the paternal main line. Priority is being given to the first people to test in a 'new' line.
We hope you will order your test kit TODAY!!! Click on the Join link in the sidebar on the left, labelled "Request to Join this Group".
Project up for adoption.
DECEMBER 2010
We have received a number of enquiries, particularly when (as now) there are special discounts available. Current applicants: please don't forget to order/pay for your kit before December 31st!
Re the 'NO-SHOW CANTON' mentioned below: he has sent us a Christmas card but no comment about his unreturned kit.
MAY 2010
One of our members has applied for the Family Finder test and another is thinking hard about it! Go to http://www.familytreedna.com/
See Family Finder in the top left-hand corner and click on 'Learn More'. See Results tab.
MARCH 2010
The CANTON SURNAME PROJECT has been running for just over two years. Six people, male and with the Canton surname, have taken Y-DNA tests for 37 markers. A further person has purchased a kit and we hope soon to have news of its return to the lab. Two people of Canton descent (including myself) have had an mtDNA test, which investigates deep ancestry via the female line.
Y-DNA RESULTS
These can be seen on the accompanying chart – this is some relevant background.
ABBREVIATIONS:
GL: Gloucestershire / K: Kent / L: Lampeter Velfrey / M: Martletwy / Mn: Manorbier / NZ: New Zealand / P: Pembrokeshire or Pembroke / S: Stackpole / R: Rhoscrowther /
PEM A
This is shorthand for the purposes of this report and the display of results. It indicates those participants who clearly have a common ancestor, most likely in Martletwy, Pembrokeshire, Wales.
#107126 is a member of line PM/S
#107827 from line PR
#113261 from line PM/NZ
#121546 from PM/K .
The latter two have particularly well documented descents from Henry Canton of Martletwy, through both parish registers and probate documents. There are more differences (mutations) than might have been expected, but these results have been assessed independently and are considered within the range of normal. Line PR descends from an illegitimate child born in Rhoscrowther, with his father named as George Canton. There are two possible candidates for this man. DNA results suggest that he is more likely a member of PM/P (closely related to PM/S); however, without a test of PMn (the line of the ‘other’ George, which may also be descended from Martletwy), it is unsafe to draw a firm conclusion.
PEM B
#108320 from line PL.
As this participant’s results were quite different, I named his group PEM B. I would expect that, if we can test more people with Pembrokeshire ancestry, some would be in PEM A, others in PEM B. In other words, not even in Pembs are all Cantons related! However, they all – so far - belong to Haplogroup I1, a group which has, as might be expected from Canton history in Pembrokeshire, ultimately non-Welsh origins.
GL
Our final test in the first year of the Project was of a descendant (line GL/A4) of John Canton, the 18th century scientist. This has turned out to be completely different from all the Pembrokeshire tests. It is not considered sufficient to test just one person per documented line, so we must hope for someone else to come forward to verify this – or otherwise. As it is, this participant is part of Haplogroup R1b1b2, basically more representative of native stock than I1.
The following show the lines of descent of participants so far:
PEM A
#107126 Henry d.1763 -> John (1730) -> John (1764) -> William (1800) -> John (1830) -> George (1878) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
#107827 George (fl.1832) -> William (1832) -> Thomas George (1866) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
#113261 Henry d.1763 -> John (1730) -> Charles (1761) -> Henry (1796) -> John (1834) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
#121546 Henry d.1763 -> John (1730) -> Charles (1761) -> Thomas (1798) -> Charles (1832) -> Robert (1858) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
PEM B
#108320 John (1771) -> John (1824) -> Timothy (1869) -> Participants’s father –> Participant.
GLS
#131188 John -> (c.1660) ->John (1687) -> John (1718) -> William (1748) -> George Augustus (1790) -> Alfred G. -> (1815) Frederick (1847) -> Participants’s grandfather –> Participants’s father –> Participant.
GENERAL
We are closing in on the mysteries of PEM A group, but we really do need more participants before we can draw conclusions, even about this group. For the other groups, further progress is completely dependent on more candidates for tests. Please, even if you cannot take a test yourself, do try to recruit new members. I will be very happy to give advice on any aspect of the Project.
DNA testing is one of the most exciting developments in historical research, opening up new possibilities where (as in Pembrokeshire generally) there is a dearth of 18th century documents (I write as someone long involved in academic history).
PLEASE NOTE:
* There is at present a free kit available for the first PM/P descendant to test. Effectively this means a descendant of James Canton (1843-1930) through his sons, grandsons, etc. We should obtain very useful information from this to add to our knowledge of the group PEM A.
* We still need someone to test from the line which was in 18C and 19C Manorbier, Pembrokeshire.
* We also need a participant from the line which was in 18-19C Freystrop, Pembrokeshire, and which moved to Nolton Haven.
* In fact, any new participants, of known or unknown lines, from Britain or overseas, will be very welcome in the Project. Further discount vouchers are often available.
RE: NO-SHOW CANTON ;-)
The third person to apply for a test,around January 2008, had written me a very enthusiastic letter at Christmas 2007. His test was never returned, although I wrote and emailed him several times. Then, at Christmas 2009, he sent another letter, saying he would soon send off his test specimen - he had, as I feared, been ill. I contacted FTDNA, who told me his test would still be valid and I passed on this information to him. Now, four months later, there is still no sign of it being returned to FTDNA.
Naturally, I don't want to pester anyone, so that is where it remains for now. As I told everyone involved at the start of this, the project is *long-term*. I have found similar experiences among Guild colleagues - people come to the fore at the most unexpected times. Therefore, no member should decide that it is at an end!
I have offered financial incentives to various individuals from a number of lines - money does not seem to be the problem. Younger and more active people may come forward, who have a real interest in the study.
MtDNA is the test which provides information on your maternal line, mother's mother's mother and so on, and so on. We have two tests so far (click on the mtDNA button at the side). Of course, this doesn't contribute to solving problems in the Canton-surname lines, but it is of interest to know one's maternal origins and FTDNA discounts apply to these tests as well!
We have established a General Fund, to accept donations in any currency via credit card. These funds will be held at the testing company, and used to help sponsor test kits for key males who may otherwise be unable to participate. We encourage you to make a donation, however small. To make a donation please click on the last link on the left, entitled "Contribute to the Surname Project General Fund". If you decide to donate, please specify "Canton Project General Fund" in the top box of the Donation form - if you wish, you may donate in someone's memory and/or specify the line it should apply to.
Applicants for tests who wish to apply for a discount from donations should contact the Administrator first, sending details of names, dates and places connected with the paternal main line. Priority is being given to the first people to test in a 'new' line.
We hope you will order your test kit TODAY!!! Click on the Join link in the sidebar on the left, labelled "Request to Join this Group".