Haplogroup R1a

R1a - Originally thought to have originated in the Caucasus region around the Black Sea, new research is indicating that this type may have originated in the region around Khazakstan, possibly even in India or Pakistan. R1a spread into Central Asia and migrated across the Russian Steppes into Eastern Europe where it reaches high levels in Hungary, Poland, the Ukraine and the Slavic regions (the peoples genetically closest to Norwegians).

R1a is characterized by the mutations SRY10831.2- (negative as opposed to positive) and M17+. M17 is what most academic studies have tested for to determine R1a - it actually categorizes R1a1, which seems to encompass all R1a (I have yet to see a single "R1a" that was SRY10831.2- and also M17-. Anyone SRY10831.2- seems to be universally M17+, in other words all R1a are also R1a1). For this reason you will many times see R1a and R1a1 used interchangably within the literature.

One particular group of Y-STR values within R1a shows matches in Central Asia, around the Siberian Altai and Uyghur province of Western China. The recent find of Caucasian mummies in the Takla Makan deserts of the Uyghur province prove that a race of red and blond haired people with Scandinavian features, over 6' tall, once lived in this region. R1a is found at very high percentages in Western Norway, where it reaches frequencies between 23% to 30%. Some researchers believe the Icelandic Sagas, which describe a migration of a population from Asia beyond the Ural mountains, to Norway, may actually be based in fact. Thor Heyerdahl, of Kon Tiki fame, spent the remaining years of his life attempting to prove this theory -- and DNA evidence is seeming to prove him right. The Swedes have long believed this legend, and the emergence of a specific type of Scandinavian R1a with a Central Asian motif seems to support this account.

The MacDonalds have determined that their progenitor, Somerled, belonged to haplogroup R1a (of the same Central Asian motif) and the Douglas's progenitor, Willem de Douglas, recently turned up R1a according to the Clan Douglas DNA project. It seems this holds true for most of the pseudo-aristocracy of Scandinavia. R1a is found at levels of less than 1% in most regions of Ireland, and at levels of 3-5% in England, and only slightly higher in Scotland. The highest concentrations of this haplogroup are seen in areas of Britain colonized by the Norse Vikings. One of the leading DNA experts has called R1a the only sure proof of Norse Viking origins when seen in men of deep British ancestry.

One kit in our project that is R1a belongs to an indivdual with a deep and well documented ancestry in England and of earlier Scottish origin. This R1a Y-STR is indicative of Viking origin with a Central Asian motif. Therefore this kit represents the candidate signature of the original Norse Chiefs of the Clan Grant.

Understanding DNA Results
An individual's results will be a series of numbers called alleles. The markers (categories) for the alleles are named DYS (DNA Y-chromosome Strand) These numbers will be compared to others in our group and in the Family Tree DNA database for matches. The matches will help eliminate non-relations and confirm relations if there is a common ancestor. They will not tell us which generation the most recent common ancestor occurs.

The 25 match is a little more precise, but still does not tell you exactly which generation.

For example, if all 25/25 markers match, there is a 50% probability that the most recent common ancestor was no longer than 7 generations, and a 90% probability that the most recent common ancestor was within the last 98.8 generations. A perfect match on the 12 marker test 12/12 would show that there was a 50% probability that the most recent common ancestor was within 14.5 generations and a 90% probability that the most recent common ancestor was within 48 generations.

Please see the Family Tree DNA site FamilyTreeDNA.com for more precise explanations. My DNA knowledge is grossly limited. You can learn a lot by going to this site and visiting other surname pages.

First some definitions:
Allelles: a number/position on the Y Chromosome. These are the individual numbers (in a series) that represent your test results.

DYS: for DNA Y chromosome Strain

Loci: location/position of the DYS

Mutation: when there is a change from father to son in the string of DNA on one of the alleles used for paternity testing. Example: Noah's 3 sons descendants--two had 25 markers identical, 1 had one allele (marker) that was different. This was a naturally occurring event, but the question is, how often does that happen in a father son transmission.

Here is some information from a paper found on the link on the FTDNA page for understanding DNA (in quotes). The paper is by Manfred Kayser and Antti Sajantila

"The common practice in paternity testing is that a difference at one or two out of 6-15 STR loci commonly analyzed is attributed to mutation rather than non-paternity, whereas differences at more than two loci are interpreted as non-biological paternity."

Transmission: DNA passed from father to son

In this study there were 4999 confirmed paternity father son transmissions. (fathers and sons DNA testings) for a baseline to determine how many mutations would naturally occur in that many births. The answer was:

"approximately up to eight of every thousand father/son pairs show a mutation and on average a Y-str mutation occurs in about three of every thousand father/son pairs.

Probability of Matches 12 vs 25 markers

Just as there are surnames with a high frequency of occurrence, such as Smith
and Jones, and surnames with a low frequency of occurrence, there are both
Haplotypes with a high frequency of occurrence, and Haplotypes with a low
frequency of occurrence. The 12 Marker result from the Y-chromosome 12 Marker
test is called a Haplotype.

When you compare a 12 Marker result to another 12 marker result of someone
with the SAME surname, and the results match 12/12, there is a 99%
probability that you are related. If you compare a 25 Marker result to
another 25 marker result for the SAME surname, and the results match 25/25,
then there is 99.9% confidence that the two individuals are related.

If you compare the 12 marker result to someone else who does not have the
same surname, but the scores match, you are most likely NOT related. When we
use the term related, we are talking about within the last 1000 years or 40
generations.

According to current theories, we are all related. The degree of relatedness
depends on the time frame, or generations between the participants and the
common ancestor.

If two 12 marker results match for two participants with the same surname,
and the genealogy research shows a common ancestor in 1835, the DNA test has
validated the research and proven that the two descendents are related. In
this example, you have two items of evidence to support that the individuals
tested are related. In addition, the research provided a precise time frame
for the common ancestor.

Without the genealogy research, and where 2 participants with the same
surname match on the 12 marker test, then the scientific answer to the degree
of relatedness is that 50% of the time the common ancestor would have
occurred within 14.5 generations, or within approximately 360 years. The
range of generations for the common ancestor extends to 76.9, or almost 2000
years. These long time frames exhibit the need to combine testing with
genealogical research.

The 25 marker test will more accurately determine the time frame of the
common ancestor. If 2 participants with the same surname match 25/25, then
the most likely time frame for the common ancestor is reduced to within 7
generations, or most likely within 175 years. When combining test results
with genealogical research, you can achieve a more precise time frame. If you
have a paper trail to a common ancestor, then the test result of a 25/25
match is confirming your research. If you have the paper trail, and you get a
15/25 match, you either have a problem with the research, an extra-marital
event, or an adoption in your family tree.

If you have a rare Haplotype, and you click the Find selection to search for
your matches, the results should all have your surname. When you have a rare
haplotype and you have a match with a different surname, this is most likely
the result of an adoption or extra marital event.
If you do match 12/12 with someone with a different surname, you may want to
compare your research to see if you can place any ancestors in the same
location at the same time, to begin an investigation of adoption or extra
marital event. Most likely you may also want to expand testing to include
other direct male descendents in both your trees for additional evidence to
determine when the event occurred. The preceding advice is for those with a
rare Haplotype.

If you have a high frequency, or common, Haplotype, the Find command will
provide you with many matches to many different surnames. Even though you
match, you are not considered related, in the sense that any relatedness was
probably to far in the past to have any genealogical value. Of course there
is the slim probability that one of the many matches of other surnames is the
result of adoption or extra marital event. The 25 marker results will help
identify this person.

It has not been scientifically proven why some Haplotypes are common and
others are rare. Many factors are believed to have influenced the situation
over time to produce common and rare Haplotypes. These factors would include
male birth rates, diseases and epidemics focused on localities, migration
patterns, mutation rates, etc. More scientific research is needed to have
more specific answers regarding why some Haplotypes are common and some are
rare.

It is important to consider whether your Haplotype is common or rare, to
effectively interpret results from 12 marker testing. If your Haplotype is
rare, and you have a 12/12 match with a different surname, it might be worth
your time to pursue this match, with comparing research and upgrading to the
25 marker test. If your Haplotype is common, and you match 17 participants
with 17 different surnames, you will probably not want to pursue these
matches. How many matches you get to different surnames indicates whether
your Haplotype is common or rare.

To more precisely define your degree of relatedness when you have the same
surname, and a 12/12 match, consider upgrading to a 25 marker test.

DNA testing is not meant to be a substitute for genealogical research. DNA
testing combined with your research and your surname is an effective tool to
resolve unanswered questions, determine relatedness, identify research
problems, and to prove or disprove theories or research.

With a 12 marker test, your degree of relatedness to another whom you match
12/12 involves both the surname and your genealogical research. If you don't
have a documented connection to a common ancestor, and you have a rare
surname and a rare Haplotype, you can assume that you are related with a
12/12 match. This conclusion is not reasonable for common Haplotypes.

For those with common Haplotypes, genealogical research and a 25 marker
upgrade is recommended. For those with a common Haplotype, a 10/12 and 11/12
match can be deceiving. They may or may not be related. In this case, we
recommend a 25 marker upgrade to determine the degree of relatedness.

In summary, the following chart applies combined with genealogical research:

Match Surname Haplotype Related?
==========================================

12/12 same rare related
12/12 different rare possibly related-go to 25 markers
12/12 same common probably related-go to 25 markers
12/12 different common most likely not related

Haplogroup R1a

The fabled haplogroup R1a - or, more precisely, its subclade R1a1 - is said to indicate a "Viking origin"

when it is found among men of British descent. This is the haplogroup that will earn you a "Viking" certificate

from Oxford Ancestors, and its presence was the main focus of the Capelli study "A Y Chromosome

Census of The British Isles".

It is believed to have originated among the Kurgan culture of western Asia, which is often credited

with spreading the Indo-European languages to northwestern Europe. The Kurgans were nomads with a

pastoral economy, and to this day their descendants bear the genetic traces of a dependence on livestock and

animal products. The incidence of milk tolerance among the Swedes, for instance, is among the highest

in the world.

The Scandinavians have long believed that their ancestors originated in Asia. The Icelandic sagas claim

descent for the Jarls of Norway from the warriors of Troy, and the anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl - the author of

the classic "Kon Tiki" - spent his final years attempting to trace the human originals of Wodin and the Aesir

back to Azerbaijan in the Caucasus. There may be an element of truth to these speculations, since individuals with

R1a haplotypes often score matches with Indians, Siberians, Chinese and other Asians - even when they score no

matches with persons from Europe. The recent discovery of fair-haired mummies in the Takla Makan desert of western

China has revived interest in the long forgotten Indo-Iranian tribe, the Tocharians, their possible role in the economy

of the Silk Road, and their relationship with the people of Europe. Haplogroup R1a is also, implicitly, the "Aryan"

haplogroup, and perhaps the less said about that, the better.

A person who does not belong to haplogroup R1a may, in fact, have a "deep ancestry" in Scandinavia.

R1a accounts for only about 30% of the men of Norway. The various subclades of Haplogroup I account for

about 35%, and even R1b accounts for as much as 28%. Conversely, a person who does belong to R1a does

not necessarily have Scandinavian ancestors - even if his people are from Britain.

Suppose you take three Britons - one whose grandfather was a Pakistani immigrant, another whose grandfather

was a Polish pilot with the RAF, and the third a Scot descended from one of the Hungarian noblemen who

accompanied Margaret Atheling to the court of Malcolm Canmore - and who, perhaps, bears the name

Drummond, Borthwick or Crichton.

All three gentlemen could easily be R1a, but that doesn't make them Vikings.

However, some DNA genealogists have asserted not only that R1a was "Viking", but that only R1a was truly Viking -

and that all the occurrence of R1b in the Norwegian population is due to the importation of Celtic slaves. This is a

curiously Anglo-Centric argument. Vikings took slaves from many foreign lands, and sold most of them to

other foreign lands. Most of the slaves in Norway were, in fact, the descendants of prisoners captured in wars

with other Vikings. Even those foreign slaves who were imported to Norway were more likely to be Slavic

than Celtic, as Slavs comprised the largest number of the slaves the Vikings bought and sold. Slavs had been

common victims of the "peculiar institution" since Roman times.

R1a is, in fact, far more prevalent in Poland and Hungary than in Norway. One could actually mount a

counterargument that it was not R1b, but R1a, whose incidence in Scandinavia was artificially enhanced by slavery.

R1a could also have entered Britain with the Goths, who served with the Roman Army in Britain. Many

Visigoths also settled in France, and some of their descendants accompanied the Normans to England. The De Vaux

family of Dirleton Castle, for instance, came from Normandy. Before that, however, they were reputedly descended

from a Visigothic family that obtained lands in Roman Gaul.

Indo-Iranian nomads like the Alans and the Sarmatians also probably carried R1a, and they found their

way to Britain as well.

Viking DNA Among The Borders (South of Scotland°

Many of the Border Reiver families are rumored to have Viking origin. That is a reasonable assumption in view of the

fact that Cumbria - the heart of the "Debateable Lands" - offers abundance evidence of Viking settlement, from place

names and Norse dialect, to archaeological finds of Viking artifacts and "hogback" style tombstones. Most of

these Vikings were actually Hiberno-Norse, which means that their forebears had resided in Ireland for generations

and had intermarried with the Irish Gaels. From the start of the wars in Dublin in the early tenth century, up until Brian

Boru finally ejected the Vikings at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, there was a steady stream of refugees to the Isle

of Man, the Wirral (near Chester) and the sparsely populated areas of Galloway and Cumbria.

Penrith, which is in Cumbria, showed the highest proportion of R1a haplotypes of any place tested in England -

about 8 percent, according to the

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