Cowan - FamilyTreeDNA Project Website - Cowan - Results

Currently (September 21, 2011) 151 Kits are included in the results for the Cowan YDNA Project.  This includes:5 12-marker kits
  • 19 25-marker kits
  • 59 37-marker kits
  • 43 69-marker kits*
  • 1 77-marker kits**
  • 4 113-marker kits*
*includes polymorphic markers.
**Not all test panels have been completed.

Kits are being grouped based on similarity analysis in which marker values for each marker in each kit are compared against those from every other kit in the project.  

Currently, we show a total of ten distinct groups.  Each such group is believed to have originated with common ancestor in a genealogically meaningful timeframe.  Each group is believed to have adopted the Cowan surname (or a variant) independently of the other groups.  

The groups currently identified are:

  • Seven Brothers---51-Kits, in several subgroups
  • Pequea Creek--40-kits, in several subgroups
  • Knoxville Merchants--12-Kits
  • Cowan's Gap--5-Kits
  • Isle of Mann--5-Kits
  • Coen Group--2-Kits 
  • Scituate Mass--3-Kits
  • Wythe County--2-Kits
  • Scotland Group--2-Kits
  • Currently Ungrouped--1-Kit
  • No Current Match--26-Kits
Kit grouping is sensitive to several factors.  In particular, the number of markers that have been tested has an inordinate effect on placement.  For example, a 12 marker kit can easily match up with multiple groups.  Frequently, the correct placement of a 12-marker kit can only be done with the inclusion of additional markers.  

Additional information about the above groups may be found at http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Cowan_YDNA_Project