About us
JOHNSTONS of ANNANDALE is a research project examining the descendants of "other-than-first-sons" of our ancient Clan Johnstoun Chiefs, the male lines having died out or daughtered out. Various DNA tests and documentation are used to establish our connections.
Clan Johnston/e is said to have started with John Johnstoun of St. Johnstoune (modern Perth), SCOTLAND, ca. 1100 AD. He moved to the borders and became the patriarch of Clan Johnstoun. Through the centuries our surname has changed: Johnstoun>Johnston>Johnstone, and then to make research even more interesting there are some 44 other variants including Johnson, that we know of, found in documents when surnames were spelled phonetically. There were also mistresses who produced sons and daughters who used different surnames than their fathers. Add in adoptions, abandonments, casual liaisons, divorces and name changes, and it can be challenging, but the one common thread is our DNA. It is undeniable.
We started our research group back in 2005 when 5 of us were connected by our Y-DNA. Slowly our numbers have increased over the years to over 100 Y-DNA Cousins. We are fortunate to have access to an algorithm produced by the late Bill Howard, Ph.D., mathematics, Harvard University. It utilizes Y-DNA allele values, and produces a family tree from which we can calculate the approximate years when various changes in the STR values occurred. It does require Y-DNA testing for at least 67 markers. 111 markers are preferred because of the more accurate results that are produced. It has proven to be a very valuable tool. Only test results from FTDNA can be used as other companies do not test for exactly the same markers - the algorithm cannot compare apples to oranges, so to speak.
Curious to see if you are a descendant of our ancient Clan Johnston/e Chiefs? Test your Y-DNA or use the ultimate BigY test, and "Welcome Aboard!"
Clan Johnston/e is said to have started with John Johnstoun of St. Johnstoune (modern Perth), SCOTLAND, ca. 1100 AD. He moved to the borders and became the patriarch of Clan Johnstoun. Through the centuries our surname has changed: Johnstoun>Johnston>Johnstone, and then to make research even more interesting there are some 44 other variants including Johnson, that we know of, found in documents when surnames were spelled phonetically. There were also mistresses who produced sons and daughters who used different surnames than their fathers. Add in adoptions, abandonments, casual liaisons, divorces and name changes, and it can be challenging, but the one common thread is our DNA. It is undeniable.
We started our research group back in 2005 when 5 of us were connected by our Y-DNA. Slowly our numbers have increased over the years to over 100 Y-DNA Cousins. We are fortunate to have access to an algorithm produced by the late Bill Howard, Ph.D., mathematics, Harvard University. It utilizes Y-DNA allele values, and produces a family tree from which we can calculate the approximate years when various changes in the STR values occurred. It does require Y-DNA testing for at least 67 markers. 111 markers are preferred because of the more accurate results that are produced. It has proven to be a very valuable tool. Only test results from FTDNA can be used as other companies do not test for exactly the same markers - the algorithm cannot compare apples to oranges, so to speak.
Curious to see if you are a descendant of our ancient Clan Johnston/e Chiefs? Test your Y-DNA or use the ultimate BigY test, and "Welcome Aboard!"