I wanted to provide an update on the Carmack DNA Project. The project is
proceeding nicely and currently has 8 pioneering members with 7 test results
received. Here is a link to my web page which shows the actual results:
http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~carmack/results.htm
From these results we clearly show 2 distinct unrelated groups. Group
2
contains 4 participants who have exact matches (3 match all 25 markers, 1
only tested 12 markers, thus a full match determination cannot be made -
though the likelihood is high that it would match as well). Group 2 traces
back to Cornelius' 1681 line. Group 1 contains 2 participants who match
each other (on the 1st 12 markers). One of these participants is upgrading
their test to provide the full 25 markers. This should determine how
closely these two lines are related.
Some of the conclusions that can be drawn at this time are:
1. Jesse Ann Carmack 1797 is definitely related to Cornelius 1681. We
cannot identify that Jesse's father is John Carmack 1773 of Bledsoe Co, TN
or Jesse C Carmack 1769 but we can determine that he is from the same line
with Cornelius Carmack 1681 solely due to this DNA testing project.
2. Frederick Carmack 1841/45 and Samuel B. Carmack 1808 share a common
ancestor which was previously unknown. Both of these ancestors can be
traced into NC. So far there has been no paper genealogy to link these 2
individuals, only through this DNA testing project. Hopefully these
researchers can combine their efforts and find a paper trail between these
ancestors or even match with new test participants and finally solve their
mystery.
3. The Samuel B. Carmack DNA results match 23 and 24 of 25 markers with
several different Surnames (primarily Beatty)! Family Tree DNA provides the
following information to help understand what this could mean:
If you compare the 12 or 25 marker result to someone else who does
not have the same surname, but the scores match, you are most likely NOT
recently related. When we use the term recently related, we are talking
about a time frame within the last 1000 years or 40 generations, a time
depth that accommodates the earliest known use of surnames. According to
current theories, we are all related. The degree of relatedness depends on
the time frame, or the number generations between the participants and the
common ancestor.
4. There is another exact 25 marker match with Group 2. I enquired into
this one since I was given no information. I was told that this person did
not sign their release form so their information could not be shared, nor
would they be told of any matches. I'm not sure why someone would pay and
take the test only to ensure that they would not get any comparison results
by not signing a release form. I asked Family Tree DNA to contact the
person and ask them to contact me, which they did (no word yet).
What's next:
We need to continue to recruit more participants. It should be pointed out
that all descendants of Cornelius should match on all 25 markers. Markers
do randomly change which is why there is a need to test more than a few from
the Cornelius line in order to establish the baseline to compare others to.
We need to reach those researchers who cannot connect to Cornelius. We
should be able to connect these various line to each other through DNA
testing. In addition, we need to find a way to reach Carmacks from overseas
to participate in the project as this may finally lead to making a
connection outside of the USA. Does anyone have any ideas on how to reach
other Carmacks (or related spellings)?
Here is the link to the Family Tree DNA website for anyone who would like to
join the Project.
http://www.familytreedna.com/surname_join.asp?code=F28551&special=True
Remember, we need Carmack males (or related spellings) as the Y-DNA is only
passed from father to son. We have obtained the following special prices
for our project:
Y-DNA 12-marker test $99
Y-DNA 25-marker test $169
Y-DNA-Refine (to upgrade a 12-marker test to a 25-marker test) $90
If anyone has any questions please let me know.
Dale Carmack
Carmack DNA Project Group Administrator