Project News

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Oct. 12, 2026: 
Here is an exciting genealogical update for project members who belong to the Schliesser branch originating from Arriach, Austria. With the discovery of Jacob & Rosina's marriage record, we now have irrefutable proof that Jacob Schlietzer (c. 1627-1667) is the son of Christian Schlietzer & Christina (maiden name not yet known). I recently discovered Jacob & Rosina's marriage record in the church records of Treffen (next to Arriach), Kärnten (Carinthia), Austria. (Marriages traditionally took place in the bride's home church, and Rosina's family was from Treffen.) The time line works out perfectly because Jacob has long been known to have immigrated to Württemberg (Gemany) about 1658. We now known that Jacob and Rosina left Austria soon after they married. 

I viewed images of the original church book and had the record professionally transcribed and translated. 

Here is the translation: 
[The prior entry in the records was dated 25 September 1657.] The same day [25 Sept. 1657]: Jacob Schlietzer, legitimate son of Christian Schlietzer and Christina in the direction of (or above) Arriach and Rosina, legitimate daughter of Nicolaus Meislitzer and Susanna in Arriach were married in the presence of Christin [= Christian?] Woÿer and Matthias Viretler. September 2, 1657  

Here is the transcription: 
[Written in a hybridized form of German+Latin]  "Eodem die: Copulati Jacobus Schlietzer, filius legit: [= legitimus] Christiani Schlietzer et Christinae ob Arriach, et Rosina, filia legit: [= legitima] Nicolai Meislitzer et Susannae zu Arriach, praesentibus Christino Woÿer et Mataeo Viretler. 2ta 7bris Anno 1657."

This record informs us that our earliest-known ancestor is Christian Schlietzer & his 1st-known wife, Christina. Christina's maiden name is not yet known. Christian's 2nd-known wife, Catharina Huber, is identified later on in the records of Wain. Many family trees currently list Jacob's mother mistakenly as Catharina Huber. Let's share a correction with them to ensure accuracy for our ancestry.

Please--in your FTDNA account, update your earliest direct paternal ancestor: Christian Schliesser (ca. 1598-1668). If you have any questions on how to do this or about anything about this new research, please ask. -- Martha

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April 26, 2019:  
Welcome to our sixth project member! His direct paternal line had the surname Schliesser until emigrating from the Czech Republic to England before World War II. At that time, they changed the surname to Sheldon. This line belongs to Haplogroup G-M102  -- Martha

May 11, 2018:  
FTDNA has now divided subclade J-Y8880 into two different branches. Our members in the Schliesser line belonging to Haplogroup J (from Austria/Germany) are now assigned to subclade J-FGC7750. -- Martha

June 24, 2016:  
FTDNA has been periodically updating the Y-DNA SNP branch names for many customers.  In many cases, this is based on the latest subclade discoveries that have rolled in from BigY testing.  If you have questions about this, feel free to ask. -- Martha

March 2, 2015:  
The project transitioned to the new myGroups format as of today. For private communication with the project administrator, members may email me (Martha Hicks).

October 17, 2014:  
Welcome to our newest member!  This member with the surname Schliessman has direct paternal origins from the town of Bürgstadt in Lower Franconia in the German state of Bavaria. The main SNP distinguishing his haplogroup is R1b-YSC0000072, also known as R1b1b2a. The branch SNPs are: R1b-L23 > Z2103 > Z2105 > L584 > PF7580 > YSC0000072.

June 22, 2014:  
Upon the receipt of Big-Y test results (from stored DNA) of my father, Luther Schliesser, the discovery of a new J2a branch (subclade) was confirmed on June 22, 2014.  He now belongs to J2a-Z17181 (aka J2a1a2...) The branch SNPs are as follows: J2a-PF4610 > L26 > PF5087 > PF5116 > L558 > Z17181.

April 2014:  
Here is hoping that more Schliessers will find this project and join our research effort... Schliessers, are you out there?

March 2013:  
FTDNA is offering the 12-marker Y-DNA test for just $39 through the end of March. Starting in April, permanently-lowered price of $49, reportedly, will go into effect for this test, which will make introductory DNA testing affordable for so many more people!

December 12, 2012:  
FTDNA informed me that the DNA of my father, Luther Schliesser, was utilized in the testing and development of the new Genographic Project's "Geno 2.0" chip. Now, four months after his death, my father was presented with complimentary Geno 2.0 results (representing a new phase of the Genographic Project). His prior haplogroup label of J2a4 < J2a3* (also known as J-L26) has been changed to J2a1* (also known as J-PF5116).

I trust that, sooner or later, other Schliessers will be tested and join, so that we can continue pursuing the goals of this project.  Although, theoretically, a large percentage of the Schliessers in the U.S.A. are expected to belong to the same haplogroup and subclade as my father, it would be most useful to get multiple members from each branch to verify connections and establish any new groups or subgroups. It will be very informative to begin categorizing branches of both related and unrelated Schliessers. I encourage any male Schliessers reading this to participate in Y-DNA testing and join the project. Please contact me or FTDNA's help desk if you have any questions. (M.J. Hicks)

September 20, 2011:  
I learned that the International Society of Genetic Genealogy has changed the nomenclature of Y-DNA haplogroup J2a4 to J2a3. This is due to new discoveries that change the chronology (and, therefore, the arrangement) of J2a subclades. This is not yet reflected in the haplogroup assignment (label) by FTDNA.  (M.J. Hicks)

Ideally, Y-DNA testing of two or three distant cousins in each Schliesser group would be helpful to validate that the haplogroup applies to the different branches of descendants. (For example, it may suggest or rule out the possibility of an unknown adoption or other 'non-paternal event' in a given line.)
(M.J. Hicks)

May 7, 2011:  
It is a pleasure to add a Schliesser from Italy to the group! He is a descendant of John Michael Schliesser of Hungary. His haplogroup is R (Subclade R1b1a2).

May 3, 2011:  
The Schliesser Surname Project began today -- which, rather fittingly, is my father Luther M. Schliesser, Jr.’s birthday.  We recently discovered that his Y-haplogroup is J (Subclade J2). Additional testing is now underway to determine the exact subclade.