Hunt Surname DNA Project
The surname Hunt is an occupational surname. This means when surnames came into use those in the "hunting" industry became Hunt's. What this means is that many men with the surname Hunt do not have a common Hunt ancestor. The Hunt Surname project will use the Y DNA test in an attempt to link Hunt males together in historical family units, and which we have had success in doing with this project.
The Y DNA tests are only available for males, since this test involves testing a small portion of the Y chromosome, which is passed from father to son. Males have both an X and a Y chromosome. They receive the X chromosome from their mother, and the Y chromosome from their father. Females have two X chromosomes, one each from their father and mother.
Testing Y DNA provides information about the direct male line, which would be the father, his father, his father, and so forth, back in time. Scientists have discovered that a small portion of the Y chromosome is passed from father to son, virtually unchanged. Therefore, if a father and son are tested, their results would usually match. If two cousins are tested, who have the same grandfather, their results would match or be a close match.
By comparing the result from a Y DNA test of two males, you can determine if they are related and approximately when the common ancestor occurred.
The locations tested on the Y chromosome for the Y DNA test are called markers. There are 3 versions of the Y DNA test available:
Y-DNA12 tests 12 Markers
Y-DNA37 tests 37 Markers
Y-DNA67 tests 67 Markers
The 37 and 67 marker tests includes the markers that are tested in the 12 Marker test. The 67 Marker test includes the Markers tested in the 37 Marker test.
If a person starts with the 12 Marker test, they can later upgrade to either the 37 Marker test or the 67 Marker tests. The 37 Marker test can also be upgraded to 67 Markers.
Selecting the number of markers to test is primarily a budget consideration. The more markers provide more information. The more markers tested will also provide more accuracy in the estimated time frame for the common ancestor. In addition, more markers will eliminate matches that aren't relevant in a genealogy time frame.
The 12 Marker test is best at proving that two males do not have a common ancestor in a genealogical time frame. For all other situations, the 37 Marker or 67 Marker test is recommended. The additional information from the 37 Marker test far exceeds the incremental cost.
When the budget is available, select the 37 Marker test. In most cases, those who start with the 12 Marker test typically upgrade later. You can save on your cost of testing by selecting the 37 Marker test initially.
Y DNA testing has a wide range of applications, because the Y chromosome typically follows surnames. In addition, the Y DNA test can resolve a broad spectrum of problems, and provides information about the direct male line.
Y DNA testing is used in Surname Projects. Surname Projects involve testing one or two males from each identified. Line or family tree of a surname, to determine which Lines are related, and therefore have a common ancestor. Surname Projects can also identify the number of origins for a Surname. In addition, Surname Projects often provide clues for further family history research and locations for research, as well as save people research time with these clues.
If your surname is Hunt, you are a male, and would like to be a part of the project send me an email or go Family Tree DNA Hunt Surname Project
For more information about DNA and Genealogy see the following web pages: