Project Goals for the Coulter Surname Project:

1. Discover Close and Distant Cousins via Y-DNA Research

   • Identify both close and distant cousins through Y-DNA research to build a robust genealogical network.

2. Find Connections to Currently Tested and Future Y-DNA Cousins

   • Establish connections with currently tested Y-DNA cousins and anticipate future connections as more individuals test.

3. Encourage Y-DNA Testing and Upgrades

   • Promote Y-DNA testing among those interested, encourage the transfer of test results from other companies where possible, and support the upgrade of Y-DNA testing to higher levels (67, 111, and Big-Y 700).

4. Connect Early Coulters and Name Variations to the New World

   • Make genealogical connections between early Coulters (and variations of the surname) and their migration to North America.

5. Discover Historical Connections

   • Uncover interesting historical connections related to the Coulter surname, even if distant, including links to Celts, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, the Norman Invasion, Border Reivers, Ulster Plantation, the American Revolution, and the Irish Famine.

6. Explore Haplogroups Shared with the Coulter Surname

   • Identify other haplogroups associated with the Coulter surname and its variations to understand their geographical and historical significance.

7. Determine Original Surname Connections via Y-DNA

   • Investigate the overlap of the Coulter surname with its likely original surname through Y-DNA analysis.

8. Trace Oldest Coulter Lines in North America

   • Uncover the connections of the oldest Coulter lines in North America (US and Canada), such as:
     • James Coulter and Eleanor Torbett/Corbett of Dumfries to Sussex, Delaware, Colonial US
     • John M. Coulter and Nancy Reddock family of Arkansas
     • Robert Stuart Coulter of South Carolina to Coulterville, Illinois
     • Coulter - Parshall family of Pennsylvania to Perrysville, Ohio
     • Alexander Coulter from Donegal, Ireland to Washington Co., NY
     • Richard "Wiley" Coulter - PA to Georgia
       
     • Richard Coulter of Killybegs, Donegal, Ireland - Our Coulter Clan & Allied Families - "Donegal Coulter Cluster"
     • Martin Kolter and Rosannah Boone - Germany to Catawba, North Carolina

9. Assess Relatedness of Coulters in Scotland and Ireland to North America

   • Determine the genetic relatedness of Coulters from Lanarkshire, Dumfries-shire, and Roxburghshire in Scotland to those in Counties Down, Antrim, Armagh, Fermanagh, Monaghan, Tyrone, Londonderry/Coleraine, Donegal, Cavan, Louth, etc., and their migration to Canada and the United States.

10. Find Connections to Similar Surnames

    • Investigate genetic connections between the Coulter surname and similar surnames such as Coltart.

11. Identify Genetic Connections to Geographic Locations

    • Determine the genetic connections of the Coulter surname to various geographic locations and their historical migrations.