About us
There are many Mowbray clans within the United States, United Kingdom and Worldwide. The nature of our familial relations is of particular interest. For many of us doing genealogical research the links between these clans in some cases has been difficult to establish. This project is an attempt to establish these familial relations and to give greater perspective of the relationship of the different clans and provide data to their common origins.
Surnames currently covered by this project to date are Mowbray, Moubray and Mowberry. All other variants of the Mowbray surname will be added to this project excluding variants that fall within the following format of Mayb*r*y.
Please read what follows and if you decide to become a member of this project then scroll down to the Mowbray DNA Project Questionnaire and email your results back to the Administrator of this project. Note: All responses will be posted on the Mowbray Family Research Fourm within Yahoo Groups. If you are not a member of this forum indicate such and we will get instructions to you on the possibility of becomming a member.
Anyone with the Mowbray surname or a variant of that is covered by this project may be tested as part of this project. With that said please read the rest of this section for important data concerning the who should be tested question.
Although there are persons with the Mowbray surname or a variant of all over the world the name itself has its origins in Europe. The ultimate authority on this matter is David Mowbray of Cheltenham, England who is a long standing member in the "Guild Of One Name Studies". David has produced the Mowbray Family History website which is by far the only website dedicated to the origins and history of the Mowbray family name. Through the extensive research done by David he has outlined 20 distinct Mowbray family lines in Europe. The dissemination of the Mowbray surname throughout the world can most definitely be tied back to these 20 distinct lines. So it is of utmost importance that testing be performed on persons from each of these family lines, this will establish a baseline for everyone involved in this project.
Now to outline those that definitely need testing:
- 2 or more persons from each of the established 20 European Mowbray surname family lines.
- 2 or more persons of a Mowbray or variant surname family line from throughout the world that has not provided a definate connection to 1 or more of the established 20 European Mowbray family lines.
- The Y-DNA12 test will test for 12 separate markers on the Y chromosome. This testing is good for showing distant generational relations and would associate you with family lines from a particular geographic location. With a high percentage of marker matching between individuals of the same surname this testing can possibly link you to that family line.
- The Y-DNA37 test will test for 37 separate markers on the Y chromosome. This testing is considered one of the best and most common at this time for genealogical purposes. It can shorten the generational gap between matches and a Most Recent Common Ancestor. High percentage of marker matching between individuals with this testing can tie you not only to a geographic location but also greatly raises the probability of a definite tie into a single family line.
- The Y-DNA67 test will test for 67 separate markers on the Y chromosome. This is the most markers that our testing company Family Tree DNA tests for at this time. This testing can greatly shorten the generational gap between matches and a Most Recent Common Ancestor over that of the Y-DNA37 testing. High percentage of marker matching between individuals with this testing can tie you not only to a geographic location but also greatly raises the probability of a definite tie into a single family line over that of the Y-DNA37 testing. But for comparative reasons this testing is only as good as the number participants having this testing performed.
- What is your name?
- Where are you from?
- Are you a member of the "Mowbray Family History" forum in Yahoo Groups? If not please indicate your email address.
- Are you a member of 1 of the 20 European Mowbray family lines as established and supported by the research of David Mowbray member of the “Guild Of One Name Studies”? If unknown please indicate so. If so please indicate which family line by its family number 1 through 20. If possible please indicate the patriarchs name and any dates associated with that individual for that family line.
- Based on your individual research where did your earliest Mowbray ancestor come from or where was that ancestor living at the time where your research ends?
- Where do you believe your Mowbray family hailed from? If you believe that your family hailed from Scotland, possibly based on family stories, then indicate Scotland and that this is not supported by research rather by family stories. Also, if you believe your family was from England and this is supported by research then indicate England and briefly describe the research that supports this.
- Based on your research please submit the following information on the oldest 3 generations of your Mowbray line: • Names • Dates of birth • Dates of death • Spouses and children Submit whatever information you can even if you do not have 3 generations worth.
- If you live outside of England i.e. United States, Australia, South Africa or New Zealand and you know how your Mowbray ancestors migrated to these places please indicate so. Names, dates and how they arrived would be great. Please do not feel limited to the countries listed they are there as an example only.
- What are your expectations from this testing or what do you feel this testing will be able to provide to you or your research?