About us
This Glenravel geographic DNA project works in tandem with the Glenravel DNA Facebook group and the Glenravel DNA project at GEDMatch. We identify Y chromosome mutations on Glenravel surname lines to link and configure Glenravel surname lineage trees. We also welcome Glenravel descendants who have or will test autosomal and mitochondrial DNA.
Y Chromosome DNA
By mining yDNA mutations among males still bearing Glenravel surnames, and who trace their surname descent from the Glenravel area, we link and configure these surname lineages according to family branches and sub-branches. (See FTDNA Blog: "Time Tree: A New Discover Feature" and "Introducing the New FTDNATiP™ Report for Y-STRs") In the process, we will:
- Build a database of Glenravel yDNA signatures,
- Confirm which families bearing the same surname are in fact related on the same surname line, and
- Confirm (or not) hypotheses generated in the documentary and autosomal DNA research that suggest who is related to whom and how.
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT OUR yDNA PARTICIPANTS adjust their account settings so that their anonymized results will show on the public yDNA results page. When prospective participants view the public page and see an active and growing project, they are more likely to join. In your FTDNA account follow these breadcrumbs:
- Hover over your name in the upper right corner
- Click on "Account Settings"
- Click "Privacy and Sharing"
- Click "Project Preferences"
- Scroll to "Group Project Profile"
- Opt In
Please encourage the male members of your family who still carry the Glenravel surname yDNA to join! Ideally we will need multiple males from each surname lineage to firmly establish the yDNA descendant branching patterns among the families.
Mitochondrial DNA
We will also use mtDNA in select cases where it may advance research on a direct matrilineal line.
Autosomal DNA
Finally, we encourage atDNA participants who can trace some family history to Glenravel. This will enable you to:
- Uncover and explore new matches not found in other databases,
- Identify among your new matches additional males still bearing their Glenravel surname who will participate here with their yDNA,
- Filter your FTDNA atDNA matches to examine only those matches who are also in this project, and
- Use FTDNA's and , tools that are unavailable at the widely used AncestryDNA website, to explore your new and "old" atDNA matches ("old" matches must also join the FTDNA project to be compared with these tools).
* Due to the extensive time involved to properly interpret atDNA, and the extensive support for this available at the Glenravel DNA Facebook page, this project's current volunteer administrator cannot help you learn to use FTDNA's atDNA tools or interpret your FTDNA autosomal DNA matches found at Family Tree DNA (other than on an impromptu basis in the Glenravel DNA Facebook group). This should not discourage Glenravel descendants from contributing their atDNA to this project to make use of the additional tools and matches that FTDNA provides.
You can also learn a lot from seasoned, expert genetic genealogists at the terrific Genetic Genealogy Tips & Techniques Facebook group as well as from many other websites using your favorite search engine.
The project's Activity Feed is live for members contributions, questions, and answers.