McCrea/MacRae/etc. DNA Results

 This project is being maintained by Ken McCrea.

   This page presents the results of Y-chromosome DNA testing for the McCrea/MacRae/etc. family  (for convenience, I'll just use my own spelling, McCrea, from here on - but the discussion applies equally to all spellings).  This project is part of a larger study of the Rea/McCrea family being conducted by Gary Rea.  The web site for that project is located at:

http://garyr50.tripod.com/Rea_Surname_DNA_Project.htm 

   The purpose of this project is two-fold.  First, to determine what relationships exist between the various branches of the family.  There has been much speculation on the origins of this family.  This project provides a scientific basis for evaluation the suspected relationships.  In many cases, we can expect family traditions concerning the origins of particular McCrea families to be correct.  However, this will probably not always be the case.

   The second purpose of this investigation is to help McCrea researchers establish links to their early ancestors.  Many of the McCrea immigrants that came to North America arrived very early.  In many cases, their place of origin has not been passed down through the family tradition.  By finding a genetic link to specific groups of McCrea families in Europe, a researcher can bypass the lack of early records that might have provided proof of these relationships.

    Markers with their DYS numbers shaded in yellow (in the top row) are “multiple markers,” and are inherited as a single gene.  Any differences in these “multiple markers” only count as one mutation.

Results 

Lineages of Participants

[FTDNA] = analysis done by Family Tree DNA

[RG] = analysis done by Relative Genetics/DNA Heritage

[SMGF] = data from the Sorensen Molecular Genetics Foundation
*[Ancestry] = Ancestry.com > formerly Relative Genetics: IMPORTANT NOTE - Ancestry's marker values have been adjusted to a different set of standards.  The values in parenthesis () are the values reported by Ancestry.  The other value given  has been corrected to match the other data in the table.

Comparison of DYS Values:   # Matching/Total

Yellow = Genealogically Significant Match (likely to share common ancestor in last 500 years)

Conclusions:

   There is a genealogically significant match is between subjects 16464 and (1).  These two subjects are known to be fourth cousins.

   Subjects 18383 and (7) are a 36/37 match.  Both lines were in Pennsylvania in colonial times and used the McCray spelling.  Subject (7) is descended from a Samuel McCrea.  According to family tradition this Samuel had a son named John.  The family tradition reports nothing about him other than his name.  His whereabouts was not reported in the family tradition.  Line 18383 is descended from a John McCray who was also in Pennsylvania and was born about the right time to be a son of Samuel.  The DNA indicates that they were closely related, but of course can't prove that they were brothers.

   There is a weak match between (7) and the known cousins 16464 and (1).  There is also a weak match between (6) and (8).  These results suggests possible very distant common ancestors.

   The overall results indicate that the various McCrea/MacRae/etc. families tested thus far have had different origins and are not just branches of a single family.  It appears that the name may have been chosen by several unrelated families.  More testing will help to resolve this issue.

   We are in need of additional data for the project.  If you are researching any McCrea/MacRae/etc. family and would like to help, please contact Ken McCrea.  If you are a male with the McCrea surname or one of the many spelling variations, you can be tested.  If you are not a man with the surname, you will need to find a male relative with the McCrea surname for testing.  They don't need to be a close relative, just share a common known ancestor with you.  Please note: The Y-chromosome is only passed from father to son.  If there was an adoption, illegitimate birth, surname change or there was a female McCrea in your lineage (from whom you received the surname), then you would not carry a "McCrea" Y-chromosome.

   One other way you could help with the project is to provide a "scholarship" for another McCrea, so that they can be tested.  Possibly a group, such as a family reunion, can pay for the testing of a single member.

   The testing for the Rea/McCrea project is being done by Family Tree DNA, however, I began directing new test subjects to Relative Genetics for three reasons - 1) it is slightly less expensive, 2) it provides more markers (at a lower cost), and 3) their lab is very much faster (2-3 weeks versus 1-2 months or more).  Results from any of the DNA testing labs can be used in the study.  Results from this project will be shared with the other projects involving the McCrea surname.  However, confidentiality will be maintained at the subject's request.  In the fall of 2007, Relative Genetics was acquired by Ancestry.com.

Confidentiality Notice:

   The identity of the subjects tested will not be revealed to anyone else without their consent.  If you wish to contact the test subjects, I can forward an email to them (if I have a current address for them).  The identities and contact information for the subjects will not be given on this site.

This site was last updated on December 14, 2007.