FamilyTree DNA U5b and subclades FGS Project

Project Background

Thank you for your patience, this project is still under construction.

Project opened on 19 November 2009. Our first 4 members joined on the same day.

U5b

Specific mitochondrial haplogroups are typically found in different regions of the world, and this is due to unique population histories. In the process of spreading around the world, many populations—with their special mitochondrial haplogroups—became isolated, and specific haplogroups concentrated in geographic regions. Today, we have identified certain haplogroups that originated in Africa, Europe, Asia, the islands of the Pacific, the Americas, and even particular ethnic groups. Of course, haplogroups that are specific to one region are sometimes found in another, but this is due to recent migration.

The mitochondrial super-haplogroup U encompasses haplogroups U1-U7 and haplogroup K. Haplogroup U5, with its own multiple lineages nested within, is the oldest European-specific haplogroup, and its origin dates to approximately 50,000 years ago. Most likely arising in the Near East, and spreading into Europe in a very early expansion, the presence of haplogroup U5 in Europe pre-dates the expansion of agriculture in Europe. Haplogroup U5b—a lineage within U5—is found distributed throughout western and central Europe, and was present in the original European populations.

Copyright 2009 Genealogy by Genetics, Ltd.
USAGE POLICY: Use of the above Haplogroup description requires written permission from Genealogy by Genetics.