DNA-R1B1C7-L Archives

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Subject: [DNA-R1B1C7] Success with locating place of origin
Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2008 15:28:40 +0000

Hi folks, for years I've been working on a project to locate the Irish homeland of three brothers who came to Virginia in the 1770s. They moved after the Revolution to eastern Tennessee. Much is know of their descendents but nothing of their antecedents though various stories circulated. These are the brothers McCamish. Some descendents spell it McAmis.

I initially did a thorough inspection of all the families in VA, PA, and Maryland (where the surname or possible variants occured) looking for some tie in. None. I decided they did come from overseas, as oral history claimed. Probably Ulster as is usual for people in this area and time.

A study then revealed two pockets of the surname in Ulster (none in the rest of Ireland): one large one in the Banbridge area of Co. Down and a small one in southern Tyrone/Derry. Research on the ones in CO Down disclosed no similarity in first names and a different profile. However as we could not expect to find any records in Ireland that conclusively identified any family as family, we then launched a DNA study

First we tested two known cousins to confirm they were cousins and that we had a 'hit' on the familiar DNA. We had good proof that two brothers were brothers (pension papers) so we tested the one with none. They were alike. We also learned they were R1b1c7. A few other family members tested. Nothing exciting to share there except they were similar.

I then located a man in Belfast who descends from the Co Down family and we tested him. R1b1c7 but not close enough.

Then we turned our attention to the other group. Eventually located a male descendent in Australia. Despite the international post losing the returned DNA sample once and a few other obstacles we got 67 marker results this week. The man in Australia matches on 65 of 67 markers. They are definitely closely related. So we now can be fairly certain about where the three brothers came from. I might add that traditional evidence all supported the relationship: the family in Ulster used the same first name patters and the three bros in VA/TN.

So we're ecstatic. Now rounding up the proof -- getting copies of certificates from Australia, and planning to do more research in that area of Tyrone to snuff out more details on the history of this family.

Here's our wee small project.
http://www.familytreedna.com/public/McAmis/index.aspx?fixed_columns=on

This kit is the man in Belfast, not related: 69474McComish
69474McComish
69474 (First one). The spelling McCOmish is often used by the Banbridge family.

This is our base-line 62770. Next is McKemmish, kit 93042 -- new cousin in Australia.

We work with the Ulster Heritage DNA project who has helped with analysis: www.ulsterheritage.com

Comments welcome.

BTW no close matches in Scotland. Both families in Ulster believed they were Scottish and Clann Gunn, however R1b1c7 seems to be as rare as hen's teeth in NE Scotland. Apparently the family is O'Cahan in origin, I'm told. They lived on various townlands in various parishes in two counties in the barony of Dungannon from at least the early 1700s.

The daughter of one man married and moved to Scotland in the late 1800s where she had several children. She recorded her maiden name as Thompson, apparently in an effort to "Scotticize" the name, pointing out that she at least believed the name was 'son of Thomas' and not of James. So the Thompsons might want to check for matches.

Linda Merle (who's very happy today!)

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