Group Administrator:
Richard Thrift
Group Co-Administrator:
Project Surnames
Evilthrift, Firk, Firks, Firth, Freak, Freake, Freed, Freeth, Freke, Fridd, Frift, Fright, Frith, Fryd, Thrift, Vreede
Current balance:
$0.00
Group General Fund
Project Background
There are several known instances in the 18th century & earlier where the 'Frith' surname evolved into either 'Thrift' or 'Firth'. In fact these three and other English surnames are all said to have derived from a common origin, Old English 'fyrhpe' (frith, woodland). See more about the origins of this surname. Even more info is here. There are many cases where it seems one family is probably related to another with a similar surname, but this can’t be proven by historical records. These relationships can be revealed through DNA testing. It can be shown whether two families are closely related or not, based on specific markers in the DNA of the Y chromosome. Even beyond just finding whether two families are related, DNA testing can sometimes be used to arrange a whole group of families into a larger family tree covering many generations, showing which families probably branched off soon after the earliest common ancestor, and which branches split more recently. This can be done EVEN IF BIRTH RECORDS ARE LACKING. (However, best results require a large group of contributors, in order to trace where each change occurred --so find your sixth cousins and get them involved!)
Reality check: People are sometimes under the impression that once they are tested they will immediately find their sixth cousin in the company's database, who will lead to their forgotten great-great-great grandfather. In fact it probably won't work out that way, the databases are not that big. Sometimes it does happen, but unless you see a family already in the database who you suspect is related (perhaps from the same area with the same surname), chances are it won't happen right away. You may need to wait until someone from the "right" branch drifts into the project [and this is exactly why the project web site is set up with resources such as links to family trees, the one-name study, etc: to encourage your potential matches to join the project] OR if you can't wait, in order to speed things up you may need to
actively search for suspected relatives (perhaps by searching the genealogy message boards, censuses, vital records, etc.) and convince them to be tested. BUT the results can be well worth the wait and the effort. Sometimes this is the
only way to get those results. Don't consider this a slam dunk, but rather part of an investigation.
The DNA is collected easily and painlessly from cheek cells, either by swabbing the inside of the cheek or by collecting a rinse of the mouth, using special kits. NOTE: the DNA being studied here is in a unique part of the Y chromosome where there are no genes. Although this DNA can change or mutate, the changes studied here have NO effect on the individual. The Y chromosome DNA markers used for these studies provide NO information about genetically transmitted health issues etc. [There is one exception proving the rule: one out of ~4000-8000 males will show no results for marker DYS464. These males have a rare deletion of this marker as well as a nearby gene necessary for sperm production, and are infertile.] For a more detailed explanation of DNA testing, see
Genetics & Genealogy - An Introduction or
DNA 101.
For an impressive example of what can be done with a large, well-conducted surname project, see
The Mumma Surname DNA Project. For a fascinating example of what can be learned by testing the DNA of the Y chromosome, see the book by Brian Sykes called (in Britain) "Blood of the Isles", or (in the USA) "Saxons, Vikings, and Celts."
Administrator's Email address: rtx at cox dot net --Please put
"DNA project" in the subject line.
Disclaimer: I am not associated with FTDNA, and I do not make any money from these tests.
The Thrift /Frith /Firth DNA project is intended for any male with a relevant surname. After joining, please supply a family tree, either by uploading it in GEDCOM format to your FTDNA personal page, or by sending the information to the project administrator. (GEDCOM is a standardized genealogical format for family trees. I can help with uploading the family tree if you would like. Your family tree can be for project use only, if you don’t want it available to others.) Males descended in an unbroken male line from a Frith, Firth, Thrift, or related surname can contribute DNA that will be most helpful to this project. Lines which include adoptions or other "nonpaternity events" such as "illegitimate" or "out of wedlock" births are part of life and should certainly be included; these will be particularly important for future generations with the same surname.
Females do not carry the Y chromosome and so cannot transmit it to their descendants OR have it tested. But we still need you; often the only reason a male even considers joining is because it was suggested to him by a female in his family. If you are a female and want to help, round up a male and get him to volunteer, or help pay for his test. (At upper left is a link for contributing to the project's general fund, if you wish to help but don't have a specific individual you want to help pay for. Or, contact the administrator to discuss your interests.) Other great ways for
anyone to help would be to work on genealogy and family trees, gathering vital and census data from a region, or web design related to the project.
(Both males and females carry mitochondrial DNA, mtDNA, and can test for genetic markers in it. FTDNA charges for this test; SMGF tests mtDNA for free. Only females pass their mtDNA on to their descendants, thus it can be useful in tracing female-line ancestors. However this is much more difficult than tracing male-line ancestry, because of male-oriented cultural practices, especially before the 20th century. If you have mtDNA test results traceable to a Thrift we can post them, but it is not a focus of this project.)
Each contributor's privacy is important. Contributors are not identified by name, but by kit or ID number. Generally the earliest known male ancestor is shown; this is decided and controlled by each contributor. For the sake of privacy of living persons, FTDNA does not display the names or details of individuals born after 1900 in pedigrees (unless this is chosen by the contributor).
Please contact the administrator for questions or to join the project. If you have DNA results from companies other than FTDNA, we welcome your participation. I have set up an outside website which will be able to display results from all sources:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~thriftzzfrithzzfirth/.
If you wish to order a kit from FTDNA to join the project, you may
use this link for a discounted price (the order form is at the bottom of the page):
https://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.aspx?code=H58271&special=true
How many markers should I order to be tested? Most likely you will be in haplogroup R1b, in which case you should test at least 37 markers. Other haplogroups should test at least 25 markers. If you know you are in a branch of one well-known family, but wish to try to determine how your branch fits into the whole (i.e. at which generation your specific line branched away from the others) you will probably need a 67-marker test both for yourself and for people in the other branches of the same family.
See more discussion.
How much will it cost? Prices can change without notice. Last I checked (June 2009), FTDNA charges ~$125 for 25 markers, ~$150 for 37 markers, ~$250 for 67 markers (prices include a small discount for ordering through a surname project). If you have already had a 12-marker test done, it costs ~$100 to upgrade to 37 markers and ~$190 to upgrade to 67 markers.
Until recently, SMGF, a research foundation, offered free testing for a few markers.
SMGF HAS NOW STOPPED OFFERING THESE FREE TESTS for those whose ancestors are from the UK. They may be available for those who have links to ancestors in
Ireland, continental Europe, & elsewhere.
Ancestry.com has just started offering DNA tests, sometimes at a discount. I have heard of MANY complaints and bugs in their service so I DO NOT recommend using Ancestry.com at this time. However, if you do decide to use Ancestry.com's DNA testing service, we will be able to work with their results. The Thrift /Frith /Firth DNA project does appear in Ancestry.com's list of DNA groups.
