This is to announce the creation of an ALBRO project for genealogical research
through DNA analysis. Direct participation is limited to males with surname
ALBRO, ALBROW, ALBROUGH, ALDBURG, or derived variant. Indirect participation
by females is quite possible; simply find a brother, father, uncle, or male
first cousin with one of the above surnames to provide DNA on your behalf!
As with all surname projects, this one is based on analysis of specific markers
on the Y-chromosome. Chromosomes are long strands of DNA that contain your
genetic “blueprint”. The Y-chromosome is that one of the 46
chromosomes in each of your cells that was passed on to you unchanged from your
father, his father before him, and so on. Only males have a Y chromosome,
which is why this study is limited to males. All your other nuclear
chromosomes are “shuffled” at each generation, so they are of little
use for genealogical research. Mothers pass on an extra-nuclear chromosome
called the mitochondrial chromosome, and fathers can not pass that one on.
That chromosome is very useful in answering some specific questions about
maternal origins, but is not surname – related.
Most attempts of Albros to trace their family trees are based on the assumption
that they should be able to trace their line back to John Albro, who emigrated
from England to Boston in 1634 and who was one of the founders of Portsmouth,
Rhode Island in 1638. Many find themselves at dead ends, unable to make the
connection. On the other hand those researchers who have successfully traced
the path from themselves back to John Albro of Portsmouth can not presently
trace the line any further back, since we do not know who John Albro's parents
were.
The objectives of this project are:
To test the assumption that all U.S. Albros are descendants of John Albro of
Portsmouth.
To determine whether specific haplotypes identify specific lines of descent
from John Albro.
To find related individuals in England, which may allow us to connect John
Albro to his ancestors.
(Note: Your "haplotype" is the sequence of numbers that will result
from your DNA analysis.)
Simply developing a significant database of Albro haplotypes
may
make it possible to answer other questions for the participants. For example:
Can I confirm that my Albro ancestry follows a particular line of descent?
Will a comparison of my haplotype with others in the project enable me to get
past the brick wall in my research?
Has there been a non-paternity event (e.g. an adoption) in my particular line
that breaks my apparent line of ancestry?
Are U.S. surnames Albro, Albrow, Albrough, etc. simply spelling variants, or
are there different ancestral origins?
My surname is not Albro, but there is a family legend that my real great
grandfather was an Albro. Is that legend true or false?
To accomplish objective number 1 will require a large number of Albros
representing as many lines of descent as possible. This is primarily a
statistical study; that is, the more participants whose haplotypes are
consistent with a common ancestor, the higher the probability that the
assumption is correct. Objective number 2 can have partial answers depending on
the number of lines represented, and the number of individuals in each line.
Objective number 3, obviously, will only be achievable if the project receives
participants in England who have known antecedents.
Those who are considering joining this project must ask themselves if they are
really prepared to accept the surprise of finding a non-paternity event in
their ancestry, should it happen. The two most common reasons for a
non-paternity event are adoption, and illegitimacy. If you would really rather
not know, don't join. If the truth is important to you, join.
To anticipate some concerns you might have, there are no known diseases related
to the Y chromosome; moreover, the portion of the DNA that is monitored in this
analysis is called “junk DNA”, and is outside the region where your
genes are located. Even if the extreme security provided by the analytical
company were breached, there is no way your results could be used against you
by your insurance company! While the haplotypes (results for each participant)
must be able to be compared to be of any use to the project, the participants
will not be identified to the other participants unless they want to be.
Obviously, the project coordinator (me) will be able to communicate with the
other participants, since he must be able to discuss their results with them.
Incidentally,
you must have access to an email account (not necessarily your own) in order
to be a participant.
We will be using Family Tree DNA as the analytical source for this project.
There is no blood needed. There is a considerable price advantage to having
your DNA analyzed through a surname project, over simply having it analyzed
privately. In the present case, Family Tree DNA recommends that you opt for
the 12-marker determination (Y12). This is the least expensive option. When
you find an exact match of the 12 markers with those of some other participant,
the recommendation is that you expand your haplotype to 37 markers. Since they
still have your original DNA sample, they can provide this increased data set
for the difference in price between having had a 12- vs. a 37-marker analysis
in the first place. The more markers included in two exactly matching
haplotypes, the fewer the generations back to your most recent common ancestor.
The project has already shown that differences in the haplotypes of American
Albros are not found in the first 25 markers, so ultimately a 37-marker analysis
will be wanted.
Alternatively, you might want to save the time involved, and opt for a
37-marker analysis in the first place. Each analytical run can take from one
to two months before your results come back. Fully exploring the implications
of those results can take even longer.
You can join the project (i.e. get your DNA analyzed) in several different ways. The
easiest is probably to go to the project's web page, and click on "Request to
Join this Group". The web page is located at: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/albrosurnameproj
Alternatively, you can go to the Family Tree DNA website and select Projects,
then search for Albro.
Or you can call them at (713) 868-1438.
DISCLAIMER AND CONDITIONS
The Albro Surname DNA Project organizer has no commercial affiliation with any
profit making organization and receives no compensation for services or
expenses involved with the project. There is also no commercial affiliation or
relationship between The Albro Journal and any profit making organization.
Although the Albro Project has arranged for discounts at FTDNA, that by no
means suggests a business partnership or other relationship between the Project
and the Laboratory. All funds are payable only and directly to the Laboratory.
The Albro Project will not be the recipient nor steward of any DNA samples and
has no responsibility for their care, handling or return to participant, nor
duty to act on behalf of Participant in mediation of any dispute between the
Participant and the Laboratory.
While a match between two participants may indicate that they share a common
male ancestor, it will not identify the specific ancestor and there is no
guarantee that every participant will match another participant. By
participation in the project, the participant agrees to all conditions of the
Project.
If you have additional questions, please send email to
.