zondag 14 december 2014

Novel DNA cousin with common ancestor at about 0-500 AD.

Since January 2013, it has been found that two members of the Recourt family carry a similar Y chromosome. These are Peter- and Kees Recourt, who are 8 generations separated, sharing Hendrik Recourt (5.B: 1724-1793) as a first common ancestor. As analyzed by FamilyTree DNA, only two mismatches at the STR 67 level were recorded, which predicts a 90-95% certainty of a common ancestor between 12-14 generations (source). In addition, both relatives belong to the same rare DNA haplogroup R1b-U152(Z36). These STR- and SNP DNA homologies are sufficient prove that both family members indeed have the same biological ancestor, such as predicted by the paper trail. So, we can also state that the yDNA haplogroup of the Recourt family is indeed R-Z36. Since the end of 2013, the DNA sequence of a large part of the Recourt Y chromosome is known, displaying 55 additional mutations (see blog article of Feb 2014).

Very recently, a third cousin was identified as based on DNA sequencing data of the Y chromosome. Apparently, both a descendant of Andreas Staudt (Asschaffenburg, Germany) and Theodurus de Rocourt (Liège, Belgium) have the SNP FGC6511+ incorporated in their Y chromosome. Since this DNA mutation is downstream of SNP Z36, they are more closely related than to the other R-Z36 haplogroup members. Their relationship is depicted by the orange line in the R-Z36 Google map hereafter. Using Janzen's variance model, a first common ancestor is estimated at about 0-500 AD.


Z36+ in Europe weergeven op een grotere kaart


You may also find the novel subhaplogroup at the second page of the FTDNA - U152 results group (U152>Z36>FGC6511+, snapshot hereafter).






Option 1:  settling of Franks in the Liège area?

Based on these novel results, it may have been that the ancestors of the Rocourt family migrated from Germany to Belgium somewhere around 500 AD. During this time, there were major migrations of the Franks at the end of the Roman Empire period. As cited from this website describing the history of Liège:

"...it was the settling of the Franks in this part of Belgium, in the 2nd century that placed the area around Liege firmly at the centre of European history. These Germanic tribes-people were settled in modern-day Wallonia by the Romans, to help defend the empire's northern border. They did this well, and they became thoroughly Romanized, speaking Latin and living in villas – long after the Roman empire was eventually swept away in the 5th century. Their German-tinged Latin would eventually become modern-day French. And one of these Frankish villas, on the banks of the Meuse, became the scene of the murder of a certain Lambert, the bishop of Maastricht, in 700."

In addition, please also review Eupedia.com on the migration and history of the Franks.


Option 2:  the Celtic Helvetii as Roman subjects?

It may also be that part of the Z36 haplogroup -including the Rocourt family- are direct descendants of the Swiss Helvetti tribe. After being defeated by the Romans, there may have been migrations into the Roman Empire especially to the border areas. Further reading.

Clearly, more evidence is accumulating that the Z36 haplogroup has proliferated in the Alp region after which several migrations have occurred.