Update from Kathleen Sullivan Kerwin, O'Sullivan Sub-branch yDNA Project Administrator(4-19-13):
Non-South Irish: all the tools I'm building currently will be available as a repeatable process so that you can apply them to your base haplotype. Thank you for having joined the South Irish project to have your base haplotype analyzed. Please hang in there, much research is being done to make sure it is meaningful for you. The more yDNA of the RL21 haplogroup that is one of my projects, the better chance I have of accessing its updates and including it in the broader research study (therefore benefiting you).
All project members:
I have learned a great deal in the last several months and I am still documenting developments to bring the results to you. I'm working with Dr. Anatole Klyosov who has been a fine professor in steering me in the right direction in understanding his methods and helping me troubleshoot my understanding of his methods through my creating a repeatable process. The repeatable process is the 'TMRCA Case Study' workbook that will be available for each of you to use to analyze your own lineage (i.e. your sub branch of a base haplotype with the TMRCA within +/- 300 years. From this case study methodology, each of you can compare your family histories of your sub branch which may help fill out your family history in location, clan, or family lore. The case study methodology starts from the larger list of those who belong to a base haplotype and:
builds a phylogenetic tree of the entire larger list of yDNA results in your base haplotype
identifies your sub branch
calculates the closeness in each branch for TMRCA to see if indeed there is a lineage (within +/- 300 years) to compare family histories
if all the above are met, those of the sub branch compare their family histories to find a common thread
a larger history of the sub branch is identified
the sub branch is named based on the common thread history
The first of the sub branches of the South Irish has been identified and verified. Previously this sub branch has been known as the 4466-T2-C. Several members in this group have volunteered their family histories and have confirmed a strong common thread that most likely started with the Dál Riata that emigrated from Munster in approx 300-400 AD with one source stating the triggering event was famine. The methods used to identify and verify this sub branch will be used to identify and verify other sub branches.
The entire TMRCA Case Study methodology has completed the prototype stage with the help of Mark Cope and the McFarland team. We are now in phase one. If you wish to follow along and learn how to use the process for yourself join the Yahoo forum for TMRCA Case Studies at:http://tech.dir.groups.yahoo.com/group/R-L21_TMRCA_CaseStudies/ As much documentation of the first phase will be entered into this forum. It will take some time to build the documentation for those will less math and science to analyze their own sub branches, however, it will be possible.
Base Haplotype analysis:
Mike Walsh has updated his base haplotypes for RL21 and significantly changed his methodology. He now has 395 base haplotypes and branches. I have programmed all of these into my base haplotype analysis program. However, I only see the actual base haplotypes as useful for input into the TMRCA Case Study process. I'm reducing the number to less than 100 and will again analyze all in the 8000 R-L21 yDNA results I have found. This will be available soon. Those who have been waiting for your base haplotype analysis should be able to find it soon.
Mike has changed his base haplotypes based on a better understanding from additional research. Some of you may find that your base haplotype has changed by group or mutation count. We can only use the best knowledge we have at the time.
SNP Accounting:
From Alex Williamson's explanation:
SNPs are mistakes in the copying of the genome when one letter is changed to another letter (example when a T changes to an A). In YDNA these mistakes, mutations, occur at a relatively low rate and can be used to determine ancestry. YDNA is passed from father to son so the son will inherent these mutations. Identifying your SNPs can help you find whether you belong to a certain ancestral group.SNPs can be used to identify ancestral haplogroups and visa versa.
They are not necessary in defining a group of yDNA by base haplotype, however having a SNP is very reinforcing. The CTS4466 and CTS5714 SNPs are identifying the South Irish. Some work needs to be done to complete this analysis. Basically it's a lab test and a bookkeeping effort to track how the SNPs fit base haplotypes. Several people are keeping these books. When meaningful and scientific analysis is provided, you will be notified.
Publications in progress:
Dr. Klyosov will be updating his publication of the South Irish base haploytpe. I am in the process of writing my paper on the 'TMRCA Case Study' process for publication.
Kathleen Kerwin, admin
South Irish, Eoganacht septs, Sullivan projects
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We now include the Eoganacht sept, South Irish, O'Mahoney, and Sullivans in our research to identify family trees through modal haplotype and SNP analysis using our Case Study Framework: http://eoganachtsepts.com/Case%20Studies.htm. The Bowe/Bowes cadet project is in the process of joining us. If you belong to a project considered associated with the Eoganacht septs through clan or cadet branch names, consider joining our research project. I will analyze all projects at the same time, in order to maximize the opportunity to see the larger picture for the Eoganacht sept YDNA and history.
By some the Eoganacht are considered a pseudo family/political party rather than leaders who passed on their leadership role to their descendants creating a strong YDNA lineage as did the Irish I in the North of Ireland. From my research this appears to fall within the range of my data and mirrors the conclusion found by the Trinity 2008 Study. However, there is still much to be learned by studying the descendents of the Eoganacht for their modal haplotypes, SNPs and family history.
I have developed a repeatable process, Case Study Framework, to build family trees and branches using the work of Dr. Anatole Klyosov specifically for mutation rate calculation. We identify clusters through patterns and using phylogenetic software. To verify the clusters as family trees or branches, we use Dr. Klyosov's mutation rate calculation formula. If the results are within a reasonable range, we have found a family tree. Since the % of YDNA tested per the population is quite low, it takes considerable work to find a valid cluster considered to be a family tree or branch.
The YDNA data I use in the Case Study Framework then reviews how those identified in the family tree are related. For this we need family histories. We would like to gather each project members family history and place it into a comment attached to the member name in our results workbook: see the name column (BY) in our current results workbook:http://eoganachtsepts.com/results.htm see rows 10 (McCarty), 60 (McGill), and 94 (Sullivan) for examples of how this information is presented.
Can you send us your family history is this format (please send your comments to comments@eoganachtsepts.com):
-Kitnumber -Known septs, clans, or cadet branch -Full Name of Earliest Known Male Ancestor Surname -birthdate -Birthplace -Emigration from..., Immigration to... -Other useful information
Most members do no know their family histories either in the U.S. or Ireland. We are hoping to gather enough information from those who do know their family histories that we may be able to extrapolate some information you may find useful.
I need volunteers to help format the family history in excel, developers to help build family trees and branches, and those who are interested in building out the surnames and histories of the Eoganacht septs, clans and cadet branches.
This is a large project and like many of you I have full time responsibilities. It has taken considerable time and research to get to this point and I believe I have provided considerable tools and knowledge to start building out the Eoganacht/South Irish research project in earnest. Without more help the project will get done but it will take much more time. I believe most of our members would like some answers sooner than later. You can be a part of the solution.
If you wish to be a volunteer or read about the progress of the research work, you can join the Eo'ganacht Yahoo Groups Forum.
Kathleen Sullivan Kerwin
admin for the Eoganacht septs, South Irish and Sullivan Projects
February 24, 2011
Latest News on Project:
Clan member, Kathleen Sullivan Kerwin continues to advance the O'Sullivan / Sullivan Y-DNA Project with the goal of accurately identifying to which sub-branch of the clan we all belong. To keep abreast of the latest news concerning the project, please consult the Clan Correspondence page.
Dear Members of the O'Sullivan Clan:
Despite the dedicated efforts of people, like Riobard O'Dwyer, who have worked to preserve the family records of the area, the paper records of the families of Beara and Bantry only go so far. Yet, the surnames of Sullivan and other families of southwest Ireland have an ancient and remarkable history that predates written records. How and when did all these surnames originate and how are they related to the ancient clans of Irish history and legend? The Rb1 Egonacht Septs Project (http //www.eoganachtsepts.com) and the International Sullivan Clan are teaming up with the Sullivan-O'Sullivan Family DNA Project and other Eoganact related Surname projects to research the clan surname lineages of southwest Cork, their many branches and surname off-shoots. A listing of all the surnames associated with Eoganacht septs is available on the website.
To do this, we will use the newest research tool available to historians and genealogists, Y-DNA markers. Similar projects have successfully identified the clan of O'Neill and its related surnames in northwest Ireland as well as the Scottish clans of MacDonald, MacDougal, and Macalister (See Sykes, B. "Saxons, Vikings, and Celts : The Genetic Roots of Britain and Ireland). An initial study of South Irish kinship structure was published in 2008 by the Trinity Collge Genetics researchers, but the sample was too small to allow analysis of specific surnames.
We need your help to collect more data on Eoganacht surnames, variants, and clan branches in southwest Ireland. We need multiple contributors from each clan to be able to link DNA results to the surnames of the various branches to succeed. We especially need the help of Irish males who can document their connection to an Eoganacht clan or it's branch septs and who are willing to share their Y-DNA results with the project.
How can you help?
If you have a surname within the Eoganacht group or know someone who has already tested their DNA we encourage you/them to visit the website for more information. You can also send an email to dnadonor@egonachtsepts.com. There is no cost involved. All DNA information uploaded to the project is confidential and individuals can remain anonymous if they wish. The project administrators will need to know which lab did the test, the name of the earliest documented ancestor in your Eoganacht surname, and any information available about the branch name or where in Ireland this ancestor resided, if known, as well as the allele sequence.
If you know your clan name and have a documented family tree to an Eoganacht clan, consider being tested and joining the project after testing. There is a cost involved for DNA testing, however, if you are a documented clan member, we may be able to help you take the test at no cost to you. Funding is not yet available, but we are working to secure some, so please let us know of your interest. If you would like to become actively involved in the project, you can also contact us directly through the website. Thank you.
Kathleen Sullivan Kerwin has organized a team of experts to realize our goal of identifying to which of the various O'Sullivan Clan sub-branches we all belong. For more information please visit:
The O'Sullivan yDNA project is the most exciting endeavor undertaken by the clan. We now have the technology to map the paternal line genetic pattern to identify the various sub-septs of the O'Sullivan family!
For example, I am a certified and documented O'Sullivan MacCragh. I have submitted a cheek scrape sample to identify 67 genes specific to the male descendants of Cragh [The O'Sullivan Mor c. 1450 AD]. Anyone who is also a direct male descendant of Cragh will share most, if not all, of the same 'y genes'. If we can find a male representative for each of the 49 sub-branches of the clan, we will provide a reliable and accurate means with which future O'Sullivans can determine where they fit in the family tree.
Each of the 49 branches has its own unique and glorious history. If you know to which O'Sullivan sub-sept you belong, please contact me for more information. Or you can visit http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/sullivan/ to order a kit and join the project immediately!
You may also be interested in becoming a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy: