DNA STUDY UPDATRE

 

We urge all male subscribers with the OLMSTED/OLMSTEAD surname to join the Olmste(a)d study, by submitting a DNA sample.  We also ask that female subscribers having the OLMSTED/OLMSTEAD surname, and subscribers not having the OLMSTED/OLMSTEAD surname, to contact a male relative that does, and do some arm-twisting.

 

The test procedure involves a swab of the inside of your cheek using a Q-Tip. Taking of blood is not required.  The cost is about $100 plus S & H.

 

Please send E-Mail to Barbara for an application form.

 

Carl Hommel

 

 

 OLMSTED/OLMSTEAD DNA SURNAME STUDY

 

By Barbara Taylor

 

The underlying object of most DNA surname study projects is to try to identify various groups of people with the same last name to see if and/or how they relate to one another, or to see if they can trace back to one common ancestor.

 

The Olmstead study has this goal, but also a simpler one: To determine if Jabez Olmsted is related to the Pilgrim Olmsteds, James and Richard.

We started out with two known Jabez descendants who believed they were related.  Indeed they were.  There was only one mutation between them, not uncommon for YDNA, especially since it was at a site known for mutating.  Another participant believed he was a Jabez descendant, but he turned out not to be.  We recently had another Jabez descendant join the group, and he turned out to be a perfect match to one of the first two participants, with no mutations. 

 

There was another member who couldn’t trace back too far, and he figured he didn’t belong to the Jabez or the James/Richard group.  However, he proved to be a perfect match to a known Richard descendant who was tested.

 

Another James/Richard descendant was tested, and he was also an 11/12 match instead of a 12/12 match like we would expect. His difference was not a fast moving marker like the Jabez one was in the first group. He descends from James’ son Nicholas.

 

I just received word that we have a new participant, another unknown, from the “Jacob and Mary Olmstead” family of Williamsport, PA. There is supposed to be another person from this group about to participate as well.  I’m sure people from this group will be anxiously awaiting these results.

Walt Steesy wrote to say the Umsteads are establishing a group also. They are of Germanic extraction and claim no ties to the Olmste(a)ds. I do hope if they do that, that we can compare notes,  as people migrated to Prussia and throughout Europe like we migrated in the U.S. We  could still share  a common ancestor.

As far as the big question, it seems unlikely that Jabez is of the James/Richard line, but I don’t know enough to state that for sure at this point.

 

Family Tree DNA would recommend more markers be tested to see how far back in time we have to go to find a common ancestor, if there is one.  There are five different markers between the two groups, three of which are at fast mutating sites.

 

If all of this is confusing, more can be learned by going to the FamilyTree DNA website, http://www.familytreedna.com.  From here you can read their FAQ, go to other articles, see what other surnames are being tested, etc. 

 

If you have specific question, you may email me, Barbara Taylor, at:  [email protected]. I can answer you individually and/or in this journal, provided I can answer the question.