Results
Currently test results are available for 109 participants, revealing 40 unique Y chromosome 12-marker strings. Members' results are now sorted into subgroups indicating exact or close matches. Subgroup headings list the name of the earliest proved Howell ancestor among the matching donors and/or the geographical area of American or British origin.
Not only have distinctly different patterns been established for three early Long Island Howells but also for a fourth colonial settler, Hugh Howell of New Jersey. Several Howells have found one-step mutation matches on 12 marker tests, indicating possible shared ancestry. The best way to confirm shared ancestry on an 11/12 marker match is to extend testing to 25 markers. Test results have also shown that many project participants have a 12 marker pattern that is the most common Y-DNA signature in Europe's most common Y-DNA group. Because of the high frequency of appearance of this pattern in FamilyTreeDNA's database and to more accurately predict the time to a most recent common ancestor, it's recommended that new donors sign up for the 25 or 37 marker test.