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Surnames:
Classification: queries
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.calvert/358.367.403.437.1/mb.ashx
Message Board Post:
I have to agree with Christi here. Among the American Calverts, most are descended from
George Calvert, b1668 who is unproven, with primary source documentation to be the son of
William Calvert, Principle Secretary of Maryland who drowned in the Wicomico River
(Sound?) in 1682. William m. Elizabeth Stone. He was the son of First Md Governor Leonard
Calvert, brother of 2nd Lord, Cecilius.
In the descent of Benedict of Mt. Airy, we have another line from Charles Calvert, 5th
Lord, but again, we lack, for most of this, proof positive in the form of primary source
documentation.
The Calvert Surname project at FT/DNA is working on using genetics to prove ancestry, but
it is necessary for a large population of samples in order to work backwards through
successive generations.
For the Calverts of Ireland, a bit more success has occurred in the line of John Calvert b
c 1580, removed from near Gisbrough in Yorkshire by 1617 to County Armagh. The project is
at least able to conclude with DNA evidence and available documentation that several
family lines descend from John(With an assuredness of 99% or better certainty.
Although it is claimed that John Calvert c 1580 was brother to George, First Lord, such is
not the case in terms of DNA evidence. There is much that is uncertain in this regard
because we know of no proven male Calvert descendant, with primary source documentation
and also with DNA, to show what the genetic orgin actually is. What we do know: George
Calvert b 1668 descendants match DNA in 25 samples, Haplotype R1b1 which is English. This
is not anticipated due to various documents about George First Lord -- if he was indeed
descended from a noble family of Flanders(as he was introduced to the King's court) he
would not have Haplotype(Geographic Origin Indicator) of R1b1 which is English. Moreover,
the Descendants of JohN Calvert b 1580 have Haplotype I = Nordic...they cannot match any
common linkage in ancestry in 10,000 years.
I think you can see the dilemma at this point in the DNA project related to the Calvert
surname (sic). We include various spellings, which include Colbert, Covert, Colvert,
Calbert, Calbird and many others.
You can find the information about the project at:
http://www.familytreedna.com
Use the surname locator to search for the surname Calvert and read about the project and
results to date.
There is an accompanying group of family researchers working together associated with the
project.
If you are interested in helping the DNA project proceed with evidence, what is needed are
males of direct Calvert descent to participate in the y-chromosome DNA testing.
thanks,
David Bell, Coordinator, Calvert Surname Project, FT/DNA.