In this blog, results of the y-chromosomal SNP - and STR markers are discussed. Both independant types of DNA markers may suggest that the paternal line of the Recourt family is of Celtic origin, providing that the biological - and paper trail coincide (last update August 19).
On the origin of SNP U152
To further explore my Belgian roots, I decided to include a "deep clade haplotyping" in my DNA profiling at Family Tree DNA. My Y-chromosome appears positive for the so-called U152 point mutation or SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism).
Apparantly, there seems a correlation between SNP U152 and certain STR values (also 492, YCA). Therefore, I included an overview of all my ysearch.org STR (short tandem repeats) values. Please find here the ongoing U152 subhaplotyping webpage of FT DNA. I am currently in Group 1 which can be characterized as "U152 + DYS 492=12".
There is a U152.org website, a FTDNA group and a DNA forum related to this specific R1b-SNP. Interestingly, based on current results, a migration pattern of U152 could be established (source rrocca).
It seems that SNP U152 has its single origin somewhere near the Alps and while reading the discussions at several websites, it may have co-migrated with the the Hallstatt and the succeeding La Tene culture with its origin in South Germany/ Switserland. This discussion postulates that the U152 mutation has it roots about 3500 BC. The overview of David Fallaux suggests that the U152 "G to A" nucleotide transition may have occurred at a male forefather even further back in time (source). Further discussions can be found here, also indicating that ancient DNA would be required to correlate U152 with a (proto)Celtic culture.
Y-STR diversity within subhaplogroups - fylogeography: U152 is 7000-10.000 years old.
An interesting approach towards the age of U152 is described in the DNA Brabant project 2009 (Marc Van den Cloot ed., ISBN 9789080430501, 2010). By using subhaplogroups with more than 15 Belgian members, the STR variation was determined. Within a subhaplogroup fast- and slow mutating STRs could be determined. Assuming a constant molecular clock, tMRCA's were estimated (time to Most Recent Common Ancestor) using the ASD-method (Behar et al, 2003).This method calculates the differences between the observed haplotypes as compared to the MRCA ("ancestor") haplotype. The ancestor haplotype was reconstructed by using the most frequent value of the STRs. According to these calculations, the U152 origin lies between about 7000 to 10.000 YBP (assuming 25 or 35 years/generation).
Recent Ancestral Origin: Switserland (protoCeltic?)
I also screened my 67 STR values using the Recent Ancestral Origins mode at the FT-DNA site, which contains more than 200.000 DNA samples. Apparently, the frequency of exact matches for 12 markers is the highest for Swiss members: 47 out of 1775 = 2,6%. Unfortunately, there are no exact matches at higher levels of STR markers yet, while 3 samples (England/Ireland) mismatch one marker at the 25 STR analysis.
The site states that percentages above 2 may be considered as significant. While checking for exact 12 STR matches at members of other countries, elevated frequencies can also be found in Scotland (2,3%), Wales (1,9%) and France (1,9%) .
This personal STR-12 frequency map may correlate with the Northern migration pattern of the Celts from about 900 to 300 BC. The Celtic roots are in the Hallstatt/ La Tene culture, as displayed in the simplified map hereafter.
Subgroup 1 (U152)
In addition, the migration of the U152 Group 1 to which I belong seems to follow the Northern Celtic route. The data have been graphically visualized by the Family Tree DNA Company and the relevant part is shown hereafter. (my compliments for all these accessible analyses of Tibor Fehér and colleagues, which - in my view- make the difference with other genealogy DNA companies).
Currently, my presumed Roechout forefather originating from Sint-Truiden (yellow balloon in map above) is the only Belgian member of group 1 sub U152 (L2-, DYS 492=12). He may possibly connect the Swiss-German (Rhine?) migration with the United Kingdom members. My paper trail suggests that the paternal line of the Roechout family (1400 AD) came from the Brussels area (Boechout, Crayenem 1100 AD) and further back in time possibly even from more westwards? Four Belgian- and 3 Dutch FT DNA members are in other U-152 "L2+" groups. According to Jafety in this DNA forum discussion, based on present knowledge, the L2 SNP has evolved at about 2000-1200 BC and has its origin in Southern Germany, near the Rhine. Does this mean that the L2- group 1 migrated earlier to the North? Ofcourse, the migrating (proto)Celtic tribes could also have consisted of a mixture of L2+, L2- and other families. In this respect it is also important to realize that no 100% correlation exists between the Celts and SNP U152, and further subclading of U152 may reveal more insights (T. Fehér).
When screening at the YHRD database (> 90.000 deposits) using 13 STR values and SNP U152, a 100% match with five members appeared. Two of them are located in the Belgian Brabant area (n=124, 1.6%) one member in the Dutch Brabant area (n=117, 0.85 %), one in the Belgian Antwerp area (n=233, 0.4%) and finally one member in Germany (n=131, 0.75%). The data of the Duchy of Brabant DNA project are deposited in the YHRD database.
Does this mean that the Recourt forefather is of Belgian Celtic origin? I will await any further SNP extension sets, which may render more insight . Please also view this map displaying that, during the Roman period, the Northern Belgian / Southern Dutch (below river Rhine) inhabitants consisted of a mixture of Celtic and German tribes. And finally, the work of David Fallaux concerning the Belgae - England connection.
Update August 8, the first novel commercially-available U152 downstream SNP: Z36
New SNPs downstream of U152 are becoming available at the FTDNA company using the "advanced tests mode". Yesterday, I ordered the first new Z36-SNP analysis, as suggested by another DNA forum member. We will wait and see what the results will be ...
Update August 19: Z36+ !!!
Yes, my Y chromosome is positive for SNP Z36 and I moved to a novel U-152 subclass "3". The Z36 group now consists of 5 members and is growing (Ireland, France, Swiss, Belgium, Italy). There are more novel SNPs under development, so the story will continue. Please check the proposed novel U-152 phylogeny.
You can actually see the position of the Z36 point mutation at the y-chromosome map of Thomas Krahn. It is positioned on the short arm of the Y-chromosome at about 5 Mbp (5.021.118 bp to be precise). When clicking on the word "Z36" below, additional info is shown. It is a "A to G" point mutation and you can even read which forward and reverse primers are used in the PCR reactions to detect it. It is stated downstream of U152* but has not been listed in the ISOGG haplogroup tree yet.
Update September 15, R-U152 distribution in the low countries
Please find below a first compilation of R-U152 members in the low countries, extracted from the Brabant-Belgium (mostly Flemish) DNA project, Y-search and FT-DNA.
Blue: R-U152, non-determined subclades yet
Yellow: R-U152, subclade L2+, Z367+, L20*
Orange: R-U152, subclade L20+
Pink: R-U152, subclade Z36+
Purple: U152* (L2-)
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