Although relatively uncommon, the Jarrell name occurs in Great Britain, the United States, and Canada. The earliest mention in North America is Virginian Thomas Jarrell, who appears in 1641 land records as a headright claimed by John Bishop.  During the colonial era, the United States Jarrells were initially found in southern Virginia, North Carolina, and Delaware. With independence and then expansion, some lines made their way to Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Texas, and West Virginia. Jarrell has generally been accepted as a FitzGerald variation, but growing DNA evidence points to a more complex picture with multiple, genetically separate lines. These are explained in the Results tab, above.

What we do. The FTDNA Jarrell DNA study is part of the larger Jarrell DNA Project that also includes GEDmatch's Jarrell DNA Ancestor Project. FTDNA is the best site for organized Y-DNA and mtDNA studies, while GEDmatch is the best place for autosomal results, like Family Finder. Since using both sites allows us to make the most of the four types of genealogical DNA, project members with Family Finder results are asked to upload those to GEDmatch. Our aims are to: confirm paper trails; test common theories; solve individual mysteries; and discover how various groups are related. FTDNA plays a critical role because it is the only company to offer specialized Y-DNA and mtDNA testing while providing a platform for group studies. Members' results and matches can be viewed by the administrators, who report observations back to members. The Y-DNA and mtDNA results are also publicly visible on “DNA Results” link in the box to the the left. Autosomal results are not made public by FTDNA because of privacy concerns. However, a synopsis of all of project’s results can be found in the “Results” tab above. Members of Jarrell DNA Project also receive a twice-early email newsletter.

Genealogical DNA. Each type of genealogical DNA provides a different piece to the puzzle of our family history, and often can be used together to make a more complete picture. Here's a brief explanation.

1. Y-DNA narrows down ancestry possibilities for the paternal, direct male line. Y-DNA is passed relatively unchanged from father to son exclusively, so candidates are father-to-son male Jarrells, those who may be father-to-son male Jarrells, and those who are Y descendants of unknown men who had children with Jarrell mothers. The project is increasingly using the gold standard "Big Y 700" test of it's ability to often lead us to an unknown father from hundreds of years ago, to create a "short list" of a couple of men from one nuclear family. Women do not have Y-DNA, but can ask a male relative to test. A relatively few men are needed to test since their results can be applied to all descendants of a particular couple.

2. mtDNA narrows down the maternal ancestry possibilities for one’s mother's maternal line. mtDNA is passed relatively unchanged from mothers to all of their children, but only females pass it on, so it confirms maternal ancestry along the donor’s direct female line (one’s mother, maternal grandmother, maternal grandmother’s mother, etc.). Both men and women can test. mtDNA helps answer questions about female ancestors who were born with the Jarrell surname, and women of unknown origins who had children with Jarrell men. Like Y-DNA donors, one mtDNA donor can stand in for many relatives.

3. Family Finder DNA (autosomal DNA) is the relatively inexpensive, widely available, autosomal DNA test that identifies relatives within about seven generations. Autosomal DNA “washes out” over time, so the older generations carry much more autosomal DNA from any one line than the younger. Unlike Y- and mtDNA, autosomal DNA studies require large databases, so the more members make for a stronger program. Jarrell DNA gladly accepts Family Finder results, and asks members to upload those results to GEDmatch.com to make the most of them within the Jarrell DNA Project. Contact the administrators for instructions.

4. X DNA is passed from mothers to all of their children, and from fathers to daughters. While it dilutes and changes faster than Y- and mtDNA, it is much for stable than autosomal, and has predictable inheritance patterns. Those patterns can be used to find or exclude common ancestors. X testing is usually done along with autosomal testing.