Q. What is a SNP and how can I use them to figure out how I'm related to my matches?

A. SNP is short for single nucleotide polymorphism. They are the most common type of genetic variation among people. Each SNP represents a difference in a single DNA building block, called a nucleotide. For example, a SNP may replace the nucleotide cytosine (C) with the nucleotide thymine (T) in a certain stretch of DNA. When this occurs it is a mutation (or change in your genetic code) that we can then use to determine how people are related to each other. Since these mutations occur in individuals, that means that people who share the same SNP ultimately inherited them from the same individual—a common ancestor.

A SNP occurs approximately every 120-140 years.   From Big Y testing we know that Sam Vass, Robert Billstein and a Peruvian share a common SNP called the R1b-FGC20980 that occurred around the 10th Century.  As you can see from the tree on the results page,  VASS and BILLSTEIN also share another SNP that occurred later called the FGC21046.  Since SNPS occur every 120-150 years (on average), both men have additional private SNPs that SO FAR no one else shares.  Some of these private SNPs can be revealed, placed and dated by their matches in this group.  As these private SNPs become known SNPs, new branches will be revealed.  So by testing SNPS you can not only add your own branch to our DNA/phylogenic tree, but you will help the entire group.

Q. I'm already a member of a Haplogroup Project. Why should I join this one?

A. This project can be considered a hybrid surname haplogroup project because it’s name comes from a SNP that occurred within (or slightly outside) of the genealogical time frame. Because MOST Jews did not have surnames this far back, this SNP can be considered a surname surrogate because it is your paternal genetic signature. Family Tree DNA considers the genealogical time frame to be 24 generations or around the 11th Century. So this project is open to all of the men who appear on your match list. We still rely on the larger R1b Project for assistance with more complicated DNA analysis and encourage all of you to also join that project as well.   Administrator from that project are already working closely with us.

Q. Why do all of my matches show different terminal SNPs.  Are we different?  

A. No, you ALL have exactly the same KNOWN SNPs.  You will only start to have different terminal SNPs after you have tested for some of the new private SNPs that have been found in either Sam Vass or Robert Billstein.  So it doesn't make a bit of difference if you haplogroup is shows as V88, M173, M343, P25, or even PF6289.  Even the most recent of these SNPs was formed several thousand years ago.  The age of this group is much more recent.  It is likely that the common ancestor for this group lived between the time of the Crusades and the time of the Black Plague when the Jewish population was decimated and only a few founding fathers survived.

Q. Should I upgrade to 67 or 111 markers, or buy the R1b-SNP Pack?

A. Neither would be very helpful right now. Marker upgrades may be helpful in determining how closely you are related to your matches. However, if it’s a choice between upgrading STR (markers) or doing SNP testing, you’re much more likely to get more bang for your buck by investing in SNP testing. However, currently, the SNPs included in the Family Tree DNA SNP pack occurred thousands of years ago and are of no use to you. So please ask R1b administrators before purchasing a test that may be of no benefit to you. Remember,that the terminal SNP designation that FTDNA has given you is really not your terminal SNP.  If you've never paid for a SNP test, you can also check the SNPS of those on your match list to get a better idea of your most recent KNOWN SNP.  Frankly, the first SNP I would consider testing is R1b-FGC20980.   Even this SNP isn't available from Family Tree DNA, but it can be tested at YSeq.  After that you can test for the SNP shared by VASS & BILLSTEIN  FGC21046.   If that also is positive additional SNPs can be suggested that will help establish our DNA family tree.  Big Y is also something that you should consider.  It is best for those who are most distant to VASS & BILLSTEIN.

Q. What is Big Y and how can it benefit me?

A. Big Y is a direct paternal lineage test that looks at 12 million locations on the Y Chromosome. Big Y is able to detect new branch markers that are unique to your paternal lineage, surname, or even you. Because a SNP will mutate approximately every 144 years (one of the nucleotides A,C,G or T will change), the age of a SNP can be calculated, and the more men who do Big Y, the more accurate this date becomes.

In this group we have VASS & BILLSTEIN have done Big Y and have tested positive for both  R1b-FGC20980 and FGC21046.  (See YFull results).  So our DNA tree is only starting to develop branches.  With each new Big Y we will expand branches and discover more SNPs.  This group is still in need of more Big Y, but some men are better candidates than others. For example if one of your very closest STR matches has already done Big Y your contribution will be less than if you have no close matches who have done Big Y. When you have a super close match who has done Big Y there are some very inexpensive ways to attach your ancestor to the SNP tree without doing Big Y.

YFull assumes that a new mutation/SNP occurs around every 144 years.  So using this rate we would expect to see 7-8 SNPs each occurring between  900 CE -1950 (birth of individual).  So based on 7 SNPS we perhaps could see a new SNP appear as follows:  1044 CE, 1188 CE, 1332 CE, 1476 CE, 1620 CE, 1764 CE and finally ca 1908 CE.  

So the more men who do Big Y, the more new SNPs will be revealed that occurred AFTER 900 CE. When two or more men share a SNP, that SNP becomes a common SNP and its position on the SNP tree can be determined and a date can be predicted. But as you can see that leaves scores of SNPs that have been found in some of your matches. If you also do Big Y you will be able to pull out even more of these SNPs, get them dated and contribute even more of your own novel SNPs.

Q. How can I attach my branch to the R1b-V88 Phylogenic/DNA tree if I can’t afford Big Y?

A.   VASS & BILLSTEIN each have 5 or 6 SNPS each that occurred after they share a common SNP.  So it would be fantastic if the closest match to each of these men tests ALL of their individual SNPs at  YSeq.  SNPs can be purchased at a cost of $17.50 each plus a one time cost of $5 for a new kit.  So for only $92.50 you can test 5 SNPs!  If you are positive for ANY of these SNPs, you can then join your match on our DNA tree.  Your results will be very important in allowing us to understand when these private SNPs occurred.  So your results will also help attach dates to these SNPs.  

Q. I've already taken a Y-Chromosome test through Family Tree DNA. Why should I take more tests?

A.  Most of you have taken one of the basic Y-DNA tests which only test Short Tandem Repeats (STR). STRs are different than SNPs in that they represent a certain section of DNA that tends to repeat itself often. These tests are very useful to determine relatively close relationships, but they aren't good for establishing the tree shown above because they tend to mutate back and forth, and are therefore less precise.

In many cases, an STR test is the best test to take. Not only does it allow you to find close genetic matches, it can also be used to predict your SNP by comparing your STR results to others who have also taken SNP tests. If it wasn't for your STR test, you would not have been identified as a member of this cluster! However, STR tests can only go so far and for the type of research we are looking to do in this project, SNP tests are also necessary. Projects like this one are useful to help you decide which "upgrade" tests are necessary and which are not.

Q. What makes our cluster "Jewish"? Does this mean that I have proven Jewish ancestry?

A. The simplest answer to this question is that this cluster is Jewish because the vast majority of men who belong to this haplogroup are either Jewish themselves, or are of Jewish descent on their father's line. Due to a history of persecution, Jews have historically been an isolated population with very little intermarriage and very few converts. Thus, it is overwhelmingly likely that the common ancestor of this haplogroup was a Jewish man. Therefore, being a member of this haplogroup can be viewed as confirmation that you have Jewish ancestry on your patrilineal line (i.e. father's father's father's father, etc.). However, it does not say anything about the rest of your ancestry.