Project News
- APRIL 2004, Paul Caverly submits his DNA to FamilyTreeDNA
- link to homepage for Paul Caverly
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/a/v/Paul-R-Caverly/index.html?Welcome=1082237597
- DEC. 2004, results for Robert Dwayne Caverly my half 1st cousin show an exact match for 12 marker test. This now provides a stronger reference for my branch to compare others with.
- MARCH 2005, results for Terrance Edward Caverly (Quebec branch of Caverlys) show an exact match for 12 marker test. Therefore there is a 90% probability we are no more then 23 generations apart and definitely related.
- APRIL 2005, results for Lendall Caverly of New Hampshire do not match the other Caverlys in the project. We should search for another volunteer from the New Hampshire Caverlys so we can confirm these results. Initially this means the branches are not related.
- MAY 2005 Glenn Caverly DNA kit sent in.
- MAY 7/2005 Kit requested for Richard Caverly.
- JUNE 14/2005 results Glenn Caverly show an exact match for 12 marker test. Therefore there is a 90% probability we are no more then 23 generations apart and definitely related.
- We now have matches between Paul Caverly, Robert Caverly, Terry Caverly and Glenn Caverly. Paul and Robert are in the Amos Caverly and Laney Loyd line, which has been traced back to 1780 in Ontario.
Terry is from the Quebec line of Caverlys, which has been traced back to 1769 in Quebec.
Glenn is also from an Ontario line, which has been traced back to 1694 in New York State.
- JULY 4/2005 Test results for Richard Caverly match those of Len Caverly both from the NH line. These results do not match the other Caverly lines.
- OCT. 7, 2005 Eugene Caverly of Georgia has joined the project. Gene is from the Irish line of Caverlys and as traced his branch back to James Caverly born in Ireland about 1817.
- Andrew Caverly of Michigan is willing to join but, as a student has limited funds. The Caverly Project is looking for more people to contribute to the General Fund so we can order a kit for Andrew.
- OCT. 30, 2005 - We have requested an update on Richard Caverly's markers from 12 to 25. This will allow a closer comparison to the other Caverly results and also to other possible Y-DNA matches.
An interesting fact is when we look at the results for the 12 marker tests for the New Hampshire Caverlys there are a number of matches for other surnames outside our project. Three are from the USA, four from Ireland, one from Scotland and 5 unknown origins.
- NOV. 11/05 - A 12 marker test kit has been mailed out to Andrew Caverley. He is part of the Irish Caverly branch.
- NOV. 15/05 - Results are back for Eugene Caverly. Not an exact match and results fit in between the Canadian Caverlys and the New Hampshire Caverlys.
- NOV. 30/05 – Results for Richard Caverly’s 25-marker test found a few more people with different surnames with close matches. Unfortunately these people are having similar problems as we are in that they have not been able to trace their family tree outside of North America. Now the results are available it is a waiting game to see if anything new is found. Many people have the DNA tests are only doing the 12 marker test so it is sometimes difficult to do a good comparison.
- JAN. 19/06 - Results for Andrew Caverley are in. Andrew has Irish roots. I am always surprised when looking at new results and of course trying to learn more as I go along. When I compare Andrew's results to the other Caverly results we have to date this is what I found.
Andrew vs’s Eugene (also Irish descent) - 10 out of 12 markers match.
Andrew vs’s Canadian Caverlys – 6 out of 12 match.
Andrew vs’s New Hampshire Caverlys – 8 out of 12 match.
In doing a ysearch for Andrew I found 15 other people with different surnames that matched 11 out 12 markers. Five of these people have Scottish origins. Hopefully more information will become available as the concept of using DNA with Genealogy becomes more popular.
- FEB. 2006 - DNA Genealogy recently received recent publicity from the National Genealogy Society, which supports the use of DNA testing and recommends its use by Professional Genealogists where it may help support on going family research. The article appears in the National Genealogy Society Quarterly Vol 93, No. 4, Dec. 2005. One interesting comment from the article: “Perhaps 98% of the human genome appear meaningless. Genealogical tests focus on these regions of junk DNA, and thus they cannot reveal personal traits or medical conditions.” Again this supports the concept tests conducted for genealogy use cannot be used for any other purpose.
- APRIL 2006 - As I mentioned yesterday there is a site to compare DNA to those in the UK. Unfortunately there are only a few results posted for any given area. See www.britishislesdna.com
For Yorkshire there is 9 results posted. Since some of the CAVERLY DNA test results cover only up to 12 markers it is difficult to do an analysis but it is the only information we have at this time.
If we take the smallest number of markers (12) CAVERLYS matches as follows:
Irish descent – 10/12
New Hampshire line – 6/12 and 16/25
Canadian line – 9/12 and 22/25
I looked at results for Ireland (County Cork) and there were only 2 results posted, matches as follows:
Irish descent – 8/12 and 9/12
New Hampshire line – 7/12 and 17/25
Canadian line – 9/12 and 19/25
Conclusions: There are not enough results to do a good comparison. All CAVERLYS tested to date have the same Haplogroup – R1b. This indicates we are all likely to have European origins.
The Yorkshire results showed 4 out of 9 with R1b. This indicates there is a mix of Europeans. The Ireland (County Cork) are both R1b. Comparing Haplogroups and markers gives you a couple of indicators or possible genetic relationships.
I am not a genetics expert but I conclude there is good evidence to support the possibility the Canadian CAVERLYS have genetic connections to Yorkshire and possibly the New Hampshire CAVERLYS do not. This conclusion is different them most of us have found through genealogy research. There are not a lot of results to compare with and I cannot determine where the New Hampshire CAVERLYS have the best match.
The Irish CAVERLYS also have a better match to Yorkshire and County Cork then do the New Hampshire CAVERLYS.
All of this comparison could change as more results are posted for different UK counties.
- MAY 2006 - results back for David Caverly. His results show he is a match for the New Hampshire Caverly line as expected. There are now 3 sets of results for the New Hampshire branch that form a good base for this branch. Richard Caverly has up to 25 markers tested for the NH line.
- JUNE 2006 - Paul Caverly's results for testing of 67 markers has been posted.
- AUGUST 2006 - More reference is being added regarding the "Guild of One Name Studies" CAVERLY surname project. The Guild is UK based and we hope to attract interest in that county to determine if we can find any genetic matches.
- APRIL 2007 - Robert (Bob) Caverly has joined the project. Bob is part of Jefferson Caverly's line that we know goes back to New York State.
- MAY 2007 - Daniel Cavalier, who already had his DNA results, joined our project to compare his results to the others on our site. Unfortunately results indicated he has no similarities to any of the other DNA results we have on our site. It was worth a try and I would like to thank Daniel for the opportunity to see his results.
- JUNE 2007 - Brian Calverley joined the project. Results expected in about one month.
- Recently the “Guild of One Name Studies” sent out a survey to members asking if they were involved with any DNA studies. As a member of the Guild I have a web page on their site with the following surnames noted:
Although I started of with just two variants, Caverly and Caverley, at the beginning of my research I suspected there were many more possible connections.
Other variants such as: Other variants such as: Calverley, Coverly, Coverley, Caberly, Cavalier, Cavallier, Cabley and possible others need to be considered.
The survey results were prepared under the guidance of Chris Pomery author of “DNA and Family History”. The survey is mainly a statistical summary but there are a few items were noting. The survey also looked at each name in the survey comparing it to the 1881 UK census found in Steve Archer’s Surname Atlas. The surname CAVERLEY does is prominent in the 1881 census so the CAVERLY DNA Project did get some recognition and the surname mentioned in the survey results. Surname projects replying to the survey have be identified in the report. I am encourage that this time of publicity will hopefully draw more attention to our on going CAVERLY genealogy research and possibly draw the attention of others to make contact.
I encourage all of you to make others that are possibly related aware of some of our on going projects. You can direct them to the following sites or print out the information to distribute to others:
http://www.one-name.org/profiles/caverly.html
or www.one-name.org and search for the name Caverly
http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Caverly%20Family%20DNA%20Project/
or www.FamilyTreeDNA.com and search for the name Caverly.
As always you can contact me for questions.
- JULY 2007
Results for Allen Glenn Caverly are now in taking him to a 25 marker test. Comparing Glenn Caverly to Paul Caverly we match 24 out of 25 markers. This continues to be strong evidence of a genetic connection between our branches.
Robert Edward Caverly has joined our family project. Results for Robert and Brian Calverley are expected soon.
We have the DNA results for Brian Calverley. Brian does not come close to genetically matching our Caverly DNA. In fact, Brian has a completely different Haplogroup. All Caverlys including New Hampshire and Irish Caverlys show a Haplogroup of R1b1. Brian Calverley and Daniel Cavalier are showing Haplogroup E3b1 although Brian & Daniel do not seem to me genetically related to each other due to the number of non matching markers.
**Preliminary results do not look promising in proving the surnames CAVERLY, CALVERLEY and CAVALIER are genetically connected although it is too early to reach any kind of conclusion. We need more individuals with CALVERLEY and CAVALIER surnames to join the project to try and draw any kind of conclusion.
- AUGUST 2007
Results are back for Robert Edward Caverly of Winnipeg. Robert matches the Canadian Caverlys and I have added his results to that sub-group.
- AUGUST 2007
Andrew J. Caverly of Penn. joined the project and his 12 marker test results came back showing a match with Eugene of GA. Andy’s ancestors are Irish Caverlys which is the same as for Eugene. Hopefully they can compare notes and possibly find some common ancestors to help expand their family trees.
- OCT. 2007
In the book, Unlocking Your Genetic History by Thomas Shawker, M.D., on page 210 he breaks down some of the hapogroup frequency. (hapogroup - is the big picture in DNA identifying world historic DNA regions and migrations). There are a number of common Hapogroups found throughout Europe. The info I was reading mentions the British Ilse.
In our Caverly DNA Project almost all results show a Hapogroup - R1b.
Results for British Ilse showing percentage of R1b are:
Scotland - 53%
England - 62%
Ireland divided into 4 quadrants ( Connaught, Ulster, Munster, Leinster) - Connaught 98%, Ulster 81%, Munster 94%, Leinster 73%.
Recent upgrades show some interesting results. We have updated Terry and Glen Allan to 25 markers (intermediate test)
Comparing Paul, Terry and Glen we find Paul and Glen match 24 out of 25 markers, Terry & Glen match 23 out of 25 markers, Paul & Terry match 22 out of 25 markers. The markers that were different were all fast moving markers. A ‘rule-of-thumb’ says if you are out by one marker you are related, two markers probably related, three markers probably not related. Remember this is just a general rule. The results would lead me to the conclusion all three are related but since Paul and Terry are 3 markers apart this could mean the number of generations spread to a common ancestor is greater than say those of Paul and Glen who are one marker apart. A 24 out of 24 marker result can indicate a 50% probability of a common ancestor within 7 genearions or 90% probability of a common ancestor within 16 generations.
- NOV. 2007
I requested an upgrade on Robert Dwayne Caverlys DNA. I took him up to 37 markers. Dwayne and I are cousins and my great grandfather is his grandfather. Since we are the same age this has always been interesting in itself. Of course Dwayne’s first 12 marker test matched my results which are to be expected.
When you test more then 12 markers things can get more interesting. Much earlier on we took Glenn and Terry’s tests up to 25 markers. When we compared results between Glen, Terry and myself there was a least one marker difference which would seem acceptable. Refreshing your memories, Terry’s line is from the Quebec Caverlys, Glenn the New York branch and of course my branch is stalled in Ontario which is also Dwayne’s branch. We can take Terry’s line back 7 generations, mine 6 and Glenn’ possibly 10. We have never found any family connections between our 3 branches but DNA indicates a genetic connection.
So now when we bring Dwayne into the formula and the results appear strange to me. Dwayne and I have 2 markers slightly different even though we have a common ancestry 2 to 3 generations back. Dwayne has only one marker different than Glenn and Terry but both are different marker IDs. It is confusing but maybe this table will help showing the markers in question.
449 458 459b
Terry 32 17 10
Glenn 31 17 9
Dwayne 31 17 10
Paul 31 18 9
Markers 449 and 458 are described as fast moving markers so they can change after a few generations. Marker 459b is debated as both slow and fast.
What I would have expected is that Dwayne would have the same different markers from Terry and Glenn as I do since we know we are related and in the same family tree. I do see Terry separated by 2 to 3 markers from Glenn, Dwayne and myself which basically tells me our family connection is more generations removed than those of Glenn, Dwayne and I.
- NOV. 2007
CAVERLY DNA HYPOTHIS
Reviewing the recent Caverly DNA Project has me looking at possible synopsis to try and make the information constructive in our genealogy.
Purpose: Predicting how many generations back Dwayne and Allan could have a common ancestor. I have targeted a range of 50% probability as a goal.
I have come to an initial conclusion that it is possibly my DNA that mutated more then Dwayne’s because I am one more generation away from Amos Mills Caverly then Dwayne.
DNA labs use mathematic formulas to predict possible relationships which are all based on averages. Dwayne and I are separated by 6 generation steps. Dwayne is 3 generations from our common ancestor George Henry Caverly and I am 4 generations away. Of course we have no idea how may generations we are away from Allan Glenn Caverly or the possible common ancestor who may link us all together.
Looking at tables provided by FTDNA may help understanding the process and getting us another step closer to finding a theoretical family link.
The more DNA markers tested the better data results.
Comparing Dwayne and Paul:
1. Using 25 markers – statistically there is a 9% chance we have a common ancestor 4 generations ago. True is we know we had a common ancestor 4 generations ago. (George H, George W. Ralph T, Paul R., the most number of generations is on my side showing I am the 4th generation away from the common ancestor between the two of us.)
2. Using 37 markers – statistically there is a 32% chance we have a common ancestor 4 generations ago.
Comparing Dwayne and Terry or Allan G.:
1. Using 25 markers - statistically there is a 26% chance they have a common ancestor 4 generations ago. This formula continues all the way to 97% but at the half way point of 48 & 55% the chance indicates they have a common ancestor 7 or 8 generations ago.
Right now we only have 25 markers tested for Allan G. and Terry.
So how can we use this information to focus on Dwayne’s branch? Dwayne’s oldest know ancestor is Amos Mills Caverly and he is 5 generations away. This would mean Dwayne and Allan cannot have a common ancestor closer then 5 generations. Let’s look at the possible statistics between Dwayne and Allan starting at 6 generations which is the minimum starting point based on our genealogy research.
Number of generations Percentage Probability of a common ancestor
6 generations 42%
10 generations 67%
14 generations 83%
18 generations 91%
22 generations 96%
With Allan Glenn Caverly (who can be found in Joseph Caverly & Rachel’s line, he is the 7th generation (49 percent probability of being related to Dwayne this many generations back). If we take Allan’s line back to Peter Caverly (1694-1747) & Jane this is 8 generations (57% probability of being related to Dwayne).
Conclusion: The Amos Mills Caverly branch has a 57% probability of being related to Allan Glenn Caverly’s branch when taken back 8 generations to Peter Caverly & Jane. We could be looking at either the children of Peter Caverly or h his siblings as the possible common ancestor.
Testing 37 markers for Allan and Terry could provide more reliable statistics for proving this relationship.
- MAR. 2008
Results for upgrading Richard Caverly to 37 markers have been received. Checking ysearch it was noted some of the previously close matches at 25 markers could be too distant when checking 37 markers to be of value in genealogy research. Chances are the closest common ancestor would be back in the UK or Ireland. It is now a waiting gave to see if any results show up for new DNA tests.
- APRIL 2008
Andrew V. Caverley joined our project and his results should be available in May. Andrew is an Irish Caverley.
- MAY 2008
We have the results back for Andrew V. Caverley and although it is for only a 12 marker test he appears to fit into the Irish Caverly group. His results actually match up with Andrew S. Caverley who joined some time ago. Andrew V. Caverly did provide some family history and approx. date for when he arrived in the USA while Andrew S. Caverly goes back a number of generations in Michigan but we also know he has Irish ancestors. These two Andrews do not appear to know each other and the number of markers tested would need to be increased to determine just how closely related they really are.
- DEC. 2008
Tests added for Ron McInnes. Ron is from my paternal grandmother line. My great-grandfather was Thomas McInnes who arrived sometime in the mid eighteen hundreds possibly from Scotland. By having DNA from this family tree I am hoping to possibly find some Scottish links.
- JULY 2009
Activity with upgrades of some of the DNA donor data taking advantage of recent special sale prices. Eugene Caverly (Irish group) upgrade to 67 markers. Daniel Cavalier updated a number of his tests but although in our project he is not genetically connected to other Caverlys.
We received an unexpected request for help from Mark Psaila living in Australia. Mark believes his father is a Caverly. Preliminary tests have proven negative. I mention this to show that the Caverly DNA Project can also be used to help others determine relationships. Even with a negative result it can help someone with their genealogy research by showing them they are not related and therefore they need to search in another direction.