Introduction

There are many methods to assign project members to sub groups. Two of the most popular methods are by STR test results or by haplogroup, based on SNP testing with Big Y-700 tests

Grouping by STR results was what was done when we did not have SNP testing. STR grouping can be problematic because not everyone has tested the same number of markers. Our project has members that have tested at Y-37, Y-67 and Y-111. What makes this more complicated is that STR’s mutate at different rates, and there can be back mutations.

Grouping project members by haplogroup became popular before FTDNA released the Block Tree, and project admins wanted a way to view members together. There are two issues with this method. The first is that you can not see the STR and SNP tests together. The second is the grouping would have to be updated every time a new test is done which causes a new branch to form.

Our Methodology

The Parton Project is a surname project, with the goal of tying various branches back to their common ancestor in within genealogical time. The genealogical timeframe is the period in which it is possible to find genealogical records relating to individual ancestors which allow the researcher to construct family trees.

By reviewing STR and SNP match data, we determined that there were several unrelated part*n lines that go back many generations. As more testers have joined the project, this number has grown.

Based on the fact that the original, known Parton ancestor came to North America in 1609, this is not unexpected.

In order to make it easier for the project admins to manage, and easier to the test takers to see who they are grouped with, we have chosen to group by lineages. We will place both STR and SNP testers together within their respective lineages.

Groups

Group 1 – Part*n

This is a group of Part*n testers who are believed to descend from Robert Partin who came to Jamestown, Virginia in 1609. The goal is to tie the various genealogies together by using Y-700 testing to build a genetic tree.

Group 2- Part*n (Goodin)

This group started with two Parton testers who share a common ancestor born in the first half of the 19^th century. Based on their Y DNA matches, they may descend from a Goodin or Goodwin. We have invited some of their matches to join our project. We are hoping to identify where the NPE occurred.

Group 3 – Part*n (Blankenship)

This group started with two Partin testers who share a common ancestor born in the first half of the 19^th century. Based on their Y DNA matches, they may descend from a Blankenship. We have invited some of their matches to join our project. We are hoping to identify where the NPE occurred.

Group 4 – Part*n

This group currently has one member with a unique haplogroup.

Group 5 – Part*n

This group currently has one member with a unique haplogroup.

Group 6 – Part*n

This group currently has one member with a unique haplogroup.

Group 7 – Part*n (Pritchard)

This group started with three Partain testers who share a common ancestor born in the first half of the 19^th century. Based on their Y DNA matches, they may descend from a Blankenship. We have invited some of their matches to join our project. We are hoping to identify where the NPE occurred.

Group 97 – Autosomal connection only.

These are Part*n autosomal matches, that happen to have taken a Y DNA test.