March 2017 – Peter Staple Heritage Group (PSHG)

This is the second of our dual blog posts regarding current DNA testing partners. Please also check out our Partner Profile on YSEQ.

Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) is a modern powerhouse for DNA testing – Autosomal (atDNA), mtDNA, and yDNA. Its own website front page boasts, “We have the most comprehensive Y chromosome, autosomal, and mitochondrial ancestry DNA database for genetic genealogists!”[1] FTDNA circa 2006 received major contributions from familiar folks when Thomas & Astrid Krahn (see Partner Profile on YSEQ) sold the assets of their company DNA-Fingerprint and opened the Genomics Research Center in Houston, TX.[2] FamilyTreeDNA was founded by Bennett Greenspan (who today serves as President & CEO), Max Blankfeld and Jim Warren.[2]

The PSHG relies on FTDNA’s Y-111 STR test to place members into family groups and to confirm claims made by traditional genealogy. By analyzing the Y-111 STR results, group administrators can help to verify from which of Peter’s three sons (Peter Jr., John, or James) a member descends. The test also reveals mutations which can occur naturally through the family group generations. Click to follow to the PSHG at FTNDA group results.

FTNDA offers lesser marker Y-STR tests (12, 37, 67), but these do not provide enough marker information to be useful to the PSHG. The Y-STR test will unlock Certified Y-STR Results, Matches, Ancestral & Haplogroup Origins, Haplotree & SNPs data, and Maps related to Matches, Migration, and SNPs.[1]. A similar set of tools can be unlocked by purchasing a Mitochondrial (mtDNA) test to trace one’s maternal lineage. Family Finder is the Autosomal (atDNA) product comparable to AncestryDNA. Tools available with this product are: Matches, Chromosome Browser, Linked Relationship, myOrigins, and ancientOrigins. Returning to Y-DNA products, the Big Y test can provide a detailed SNP analysis and Matches. When analyzed by a project group such as R1b-U106, one can identify Singleton SNPs which can be further tested and named.

Family Tree DNA’s tests may appear to be expensive to the novice; however, genetic genealogists and DNA hobby enthusiasts appreciate the testing options and relative (compared to historical capabilities and prices) low cost. Keep an eye out for sales (Summer & Winter) and take advantage.

References:
[1] https://www.familytreedna.com/
[2] https://isogg.org/wiki/Family_Tree_DNA

In this short blog series titled Partner Profiles, we’ll introduce you to the two companies with which the PSHG currently does business. As DNA testing capabilities advance, we may profile new companies, or discuss companies which do Autosomal (atDNA) or mtDNA testing, but for now, we’ll focused on yDNA.

YSEQ DNA Origins was started by Thomas and Astrid Krahn in 2013. A new PSHG applicant’s introduction to yDNA testing is often through this German based lab’s SNP test kit. Thomas and Astrid previously owned DNA-Fingerprint (whose assets were bought by Family Tree DNA in 2006). [1] The buyout lead to Thomas and Astrid helping to open the Houston, TX based Genomics Research Center which, by September 2012, was restructured into Family Tree DNA, a division of Gene by Gene, Ltd.[2]

The PSHG is very fortunate in that we have identified two SNPs (FGC13609/FGC13605) which prove genetic descent from Peter Staple (c1642-1719). Along with the upstream SNPs, this is referred to as the PSHG Y-DNA HAPLOGROUP lineage. For many individuals, projects, and heritage groups, this is the Holy Grail of DNA test results. YSEQ is such a valuable partner because they offer inexpensive, individual SNP testing which can be used as an initial test to affordably confirm claims made by traditional genealogy.

According to the ISOGG Wiki article on YSEQ, “YSEQ offers a potentially unlimited menu of single SNPs to order (Wish a SNP).”[3] For members on the hunt for Direct Paternal Lineage SNPs, one could take the FamilyTreeDNA’s BigY test to identify Singleton SNPs and then use the Wish a SNP product to provide those locations for testing and naming. In addition to Y-SNP tests, YSEQ offers Y-STR and Whole genome testing.[3]

YSEQ has recently created a Facebook Public Group which will be useful for easily keeping up with their announcements, sales, and developments.[4]

Join us for our next blog post introducing Family Tree DNA.

References:
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Tree_DNA
[2] https://isogg.org/wiki/Family_Tree_DNA
[3] https://isogg.org/wiki/YSEQ
[4] https://www.facebook.com/groups/1251774588234936/