HAM
Surname DNA Project
Research
through Genetics
Project
Goals and Objectives
The
purpose of the HAM Surname DNA Project is to provide an opportunity for
males with the HAM surname to participate in a DNA test of the
Y-chromosome sequence.
Female HAM descendants are encouraged to participate by having a
male HAM descendant take the test. When we have a match of the
Y-chromosome DNA sequence between two or
more participants, then we have a genetic link to a common ancestor.
With
good family history documentation and research, it may be possible to
determine who that ancestor was.
We
would like to have at least two participants from each of the major HAM
lines which have been thoroughly researched and documented.
So the first goal will be to obtain reliable grouping of the samples
taken. Each group will be built by matching similar DNA
sequences. The independent research should show that each "group" will
have a
common ancestor.
The grouping should help to determine which Early
HAM Immigrant ancestors that we
should be looking for. Or, at least, a location that matches the DNA test overseas.
Therefore, one of the goals here is to split the fine lines between the
genetic groupings. Perhaps this will enable us to focus future
research upon the HAM lines that were more likely to have survived.
Another goal should be produced as a side effect, that being to help
determine countries of origin, especially as it pertains to the
surviving lines.
A similar side effect will be that this testing will enable us to
determine Native American ancestors. Just as some HAM lines
presume descent from Ireland, Scotland, England, and Germany, there
exist some HAM lines that believe that they are of Native American
descent. This is something that eventually, we should be
able to determine.
For example, if your ancestor was an African American slave that took
on the HAM Surname after gaining freedom, three participants in that
line would establish the haplotype group to which the family belongs.
That haplogroup then can provide clues as to the original lines in
Africa who have that haplogroup.
Later, we will be able to determine the Most Recent Common Ancestor
(MRCA, which I call "Mr. Circa"), which may tell us something about our
Paleo HAM ancestor that first arrived in Europe. Our main
interest here, of course is to split the fine lines of our more recent
ancestors.
If you are a female and would like to test for DNA, then alternate
tests would be mtDNA (mitochondrial DNA) and atDNA (autosomal DNA).
Some information that we hope to obtain from the Y-DNA testing:
a) To determine
which HAM (male) lines you relate to that have also tested. It helps to
understand who you should be sharing information with.
b) If related to other DNA participants, to obtain an estimate of how long ago
you would share a common ancestor.
c) An estimation of County of origin (mother
country), if you do not know that information.
(In order to determine where your male ancestors originated from, possibly going back thousands of
years.)
If the immigration paperwork is lost or destroyed, the Y-DNA testing can locate your line overseas.
d) What other lines in other foreign countries you may be related to.
e) To determine which lines to do not relate to. This will uncover either a family mystery or poor genealogy work.
- Dave
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