BARLING DNA SURNAME PROJECT (November 2009)
What can be learnt from the BARLING DNA Surname
Project?:
BARLING is a
fairly rare surname with only a small number of currently unlinked “branches”.
Moreover, most of those “branches” have origins in
A key
question we have been trying to answer is which BARLING branches (see below)
indeed share a common direct male-line ancestor. This can now be answered
through a simple DNA test.
The DNA test
also gives indications as to the earlier, i.e. prehistoric, geographical
origins of direct male-line ancestors.
Living BARLINGs belong to these “branches” named after places
associated with them
(http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~pnlowe/barling.htm):
|
Branch |
Earliest ancestor:
Location (date) |
Major locations |
Notes |
|
Brookland & Egerton |
|
|
Barlings were in Egerton by 1486 |
|
Romsey |
|
Hampshire, Wiltshire,
Dorset; |
Barlings in Hampshire around 1600 |
|
Sheppey & Ulcombe |
|
|
Ulcombe is 3 miles from Egerton |
|
Warehorne |
Little |
|
Little Chart is 3 miles
from Egerton |
|
|
|
Worcestershire;
Gloucestershire; |
Barlings in |
|
Other branches |
|
|
All English families from
before 1750 are from Kent or Hampshire |
What is the DNA test?
A kit, with
full instructions, is sent by post to your address. A few cells are removed
from the inside of the mouth, either through a vigorous mouthwash (SMGF) or a
mild scraping of the inside of the cheek (FT DNA).The sample is placed in a
tube and sent back to the laboratory in the USA by standard post. The test is
painless, quick & simple.
Back in the
laboratory standard procedures are used to extract the DNA, and then analyse
the markers on the Y chromosome.
What are DNA markers? What results are obtained?
The Y chromosome is a
portion of DNA which is passed in the male sperm from father to son, to the
son's son, etc in a strict male line; Women do not have the Y Chromosome. Hence, the inheritance of the Y chromosome normally follows
the inheritance of the BARLING surname. Exceptions would be when there is a
“non-paternity” event, e.g. an adoption, surname change or the biological
father is not the anticipated father.
The test analyzes many specific “markers" within the Y chromosome. Each “marker” is a small region of “non-coding” DNA. At every generation there is a small chance that a change (mutation) occurs in one of the markers of the Y chromosome. Very roughly once every 500 generations, a mutation occurs in one of the markers being tested. This has no effect on the individual as the markers in the “non-coding” regions have no obvious function. However, this low mutation rate allows one to follow the male line.
Each “marker” actually
consists of a small section of DNA within which there are several repeats of
the same DNA sequence. The mutations that occur change the number of these
repeats. The DNA analysis measures the number of repeats of each marker. The end
result is simply a list of the names of each marker and its measured number of
repeats (the “marker value”).
Preliminary
How does one interpret the DNA results & what
information do they give? What is the effect of having more markers tested?
At each generation there is a chance of a change in “marker value” between father and son. Changes are random events, which occur independently at each marker. The most basic test involves analysis of 12 different markers. More sensitive tests use 25, 37 or 67 markers. At each marker, a mutation occurs only every 10000 years, or so. By increasing the number of markers tested, the chance of a mutation occurring anywhere in the set of markers increases. With 12 markers, there is roughly one change every 500 years. With 37 markers, there is likely to be a change every 160 years. Hence, by increasing the number of markers one can more precisely define the most likely date at which two living men’s ancestry converge. This date is that of the MRCA (most recent common ancestor). It should be noted that all analysis is based on probabilities rather than certainty. The more data, the less doubt.
Family historians are
interested in connections only within the last 1000years, and often only within
the last 600 years. Identity of the values of 12 markers for two living BARLINGs would be consistent with an MRCA who might have
been living anytime within the last 1000 years, or so. By using a higher number
of markers, one can increase the precision of estimation of the dates at which
the MRCA lived. The highest precision is obtained by including markers that
mutate at higher frequency. Conversely a significant difference between the two
12 marker test results would suggest that it is highly unlikely that a MRCA
existed within this period, and one would conclude that they are effectively
unrelated. In this case, using a higher number of markers, gives little or no
further information.
Anthropologists and some
family historians might also be interested in where ancestors came from over
longer period. The 12 marker test gives an estimate of the Haplogroup.
This is a pattern of marker values which is associated with specific ethnic
populations, e.g. Western European, Norse etc, maybe over 10000years.
How does this genealogical test differ from other DNA
tests? Can it be used to identify someone? Does it have any connection with
disease?
This genealogical test is
rather different from those used in forensic or paternity testing; in the latter,
the principle aim is to establish a unique identification or identical match
with another person. This is achieved by
a more detailed test which involves obtaining the actual DNA sequence.
The genealogical test cannot
be used to prove paternity or to identify someone (though theoretically it
could be used to disprove paternity or to establish that two men are not
identical); this is because many thousands of men will share the same pattern
of markers as in the Y chromosome genealogical test being used. These men may
not even be closely related. A very similar pattern of markers only becomes
significant, when taken in conjunction with some other reason to think there is
a relationship, for example if they share an unusual surname. As an example if one
tested many SMITHs you would probably find two with
the same genealogical DNA analysis, but they would not necessarily share a
recent common ancestor. However, if two BARLINGs gave
the same genealogical DNA analysis, it is highly probable that they share a
recent common ancestor.
The genealogical test gives
no information on disease susceptibility etc, and the test results are not
affected by disease.
“Non-paternity” and other reasons for
unanticipated results
There are
several explanations for unanticipated results. Errors in the laboratory and
during testing are rather unlikely. The most frequent reasons are
“non-paternity” events, which are when the biological father is not the father
expected from other sources, e.g. paper records or family knowledge. Most
commonly this is due to adoptions, surname changes, illegitimacy (outside of
marriage) or infidelity (within marriage). Of course errors in paper records or
family knowledge (or their interpretation) can also be a problem.
A
“non-paternity” event could occur in a very recent generation, or many hundreds
of years back. For this reason, it is often required to obtain DNA from several
descendants of the presumptive common BARLING ancestor; preferably these
descendants are chosen to be as distantly related as possible. For example is
the earliest ancestor had three sons, one would ideally identify & obtain a
DNA sample from a living descendant of each.
IMPORTANT:
You are not advised to participate if you would be upset by uncovering
“non-paternity” events in your BARLING line. On the same lines, if you have concerns about any of
your male-line BARLING ancestors, it would be best to discuss with me before
ordering a test.
Pros and cons of the Family Tree DNA
and SMGF Tests and how to decide what to order. [NOTE SMGF TESTS NO LONGER AVAILABLE]
This description is a bit complex, and if unclear I
would be happy to advise on an individual basis
For maximum
information, most rapid results and simplicity one would order a 67-marker
test. However, most people would not wish to spend
that much money on the test (US$ 269).
To allow maximum participation, we need to include the majority of
people who would not wish to spend that much, or maybe even would wish the cost
to be nothing. For this reason, there are alternatives with zero cost, and
costs of $99 or $189. These alternatives will all provide very valuable
information, but naturally have some limitations.
You have a choice of either (or indeed perhaps ideally both) using Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) at a cost or joining the Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation Project (SMGF) at no cost (other than return postage).
The
advantages of FamilyTree DNA are that it is an
efficient & professional company that will provide quality assured results
within a fairly short period (around 6 weeks), it is very simple to order &
complete the requirements for the test kit and the test sample is stored so
that further (perhaps more detailed) analysis can be requested in the future
without resubmitting a sample. The only disadvantage is the cost. The basic 12
marker test costs 99 US dollars. The more detailed 37 marker test costs 189 US
dollars.
The
great advantage of SMGF is that there is no charge, and the high precision
standard test (about 37 markers). The main disadvantage is that there is no
guarantee when, or indeed if, data will be posted to their web database. Other
disadvantages are that data is not directly sent to the participant (I can
explain how data can be obtained from their web database) and for legal &
confidentiality reasons there are more forms to complete.
With the SMGF
test, there is no choice about the nature of the test and it gives a high
precision 37 marker result. With FTDNA, one can select Y-DNA12, Y-DNA25,
Y-DNA37 and Y-DNA67 tests at ……… . The decision
between them is a balance between information content and expense. If expense
is no concern, then go for 67 markers. A good balance is the 37 marker test,
whereas the minimum 12 marker test will provide the key information at the
lowest cost. This can always be upgraded without a further sample at a later date. Currently, that cost
is very similar to that if the fuller test was done straight way. [I would not
suggest the intermediate 25 marker test].
This table
summarizes the options; note all except
one are great for the Project!!!!
|
Value for
Project |
Option |
Cost in $
(£) |
Speed |
Precision
& information |
|
Highest |
FTDNA
Y-DNA67 |
$209 (£130) |
5-12 weeks |
Maximal |
|
Very high |
FTDNA Y-DNA37 |
$119 (£74) |
5-12 weeks |
Very high |
|
High |
FTDNA
Y-DNA12 |
$99 (£62) |
5-8 weeks |
Sufficient
to establish or refute that 2 BARLINGs share a
common ancestor; might not give precision on when that ancestor lived |
|
Very
helpful |
Financial
contribution |
Anything
helps! |
|
|
|
Very helpful |
Finding a
male BARLING volunteer |
|
|
|
|
No use !! |
Not
participating |
|
|
|
How does one obtain the test kits?
The
tests are accessible through simple Web forms:
Family
Tree DNA:
http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=F88434&special=true
[One
needs to select the test: Y-DNA male paternal marker test & the number of
markers; A group rate should be quoted]
SMGF
[NO
LONGER AVAILABLE FOR NEW TESTERS]:
http://www.smgf.org/pages/request_kit.jspx
[When the
test is returned a family chart giving at least 4 generations is required.
NOTE: this does not mean 4 generations in every line, though you should have 4 generations in
the male BARLING line; If you need help or clarification let me know]