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The Skeen/Skene/Skeens DNA Project was
established in 2002 under the direction of A. Tom Skeen, F.S.A.
(Scot) with the goal of determining which lines of these surnames
and other variants share a common lineage.
All variants of
the Skene/Skeen surname are encouraged to join us in this important
project.
Y Chromosome Testing
Presently the Skeen/Skene/Skeens DNA
Project is utilizing the services of Family Tree DNA,
Inc. of Houston, Texas as the testing laboratory for examining Y-DNA
samples of test subjects. Scientists have discovered that a
small portion of the Y Chromosome, found only in males, is passed
from father to son, virtually unchanged, except for an occasional
marker mutation about every 15 to 25 generations (different markers
mutate faster than others). By testing this small portion of
the Y chromosome, it can be determined whether two males are
related, and approximately when they had a common ancestor. The
application of this discovery to genealogy can lead to a better
understanding of our lines of descent, especially in the absence of
good records. Participants in our group receive reduced group
rates for their testing at Family Tree DNA. New participants
are encouraged to have 25 marker tests conducted. However, 12
marker tests are not discouraged. The 25 marker exam provides
a greater level of understanding and can eliminate some possible
false matches that might occur with 12 marker tests. We
even have some members who have opted for the new 37 marker
test.
The Skeen/Skene DNA Project was established to take
advantage of this new technology and to possibly apply these test
results to genealogy. Y chromosome DNA testing helps supply
answers when the paper trail seems to end.
Hopefully, as a
result of this project, we will be able to determine which
Skeen/Skene and other surname variants are related, and therefore
descended from a common ancestor. For example, we might
determine that some of the Skeans in the midwestern United States
and some of the Skains in the southern U.S. are related to a number
of the Skeens in the mid-Atlantic areas. Possibly, we may find
connections with Skene and Skeen test subjects in the United
Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. It is our desire
to see this project become a global project with hundreds of
participants with the end result of understanding how many points of
origin, or non-related ancestors, exist for the Skene/Skeen
surname. Just possibly, this project may aid in determining
when the this surname was first widely used.
As
stated earlier, Family
Tree DNA has been selected as the testing lab for this
project. All direct male Skeen/Skene test subjects and
variants of that surname are needed to participate. A direct
male line of descent is necessary, since the Y-chromosome is passed
from father to son. Adoption or other non-paternal event would break
that link. Males with a Skene/Skeen mother, instead of a Skene/Skeen
father, lack the Skene/Skeen Y chromosome, and therefore should not
participate. In this case, we would suggest that you ask a direct
male descent relative to participate, since the results of his test
would still apply to you as you are related. The same applies to
female Skene/Skeen descendants who are interested in helping the
project progress.
All participants are asked to
contact the project administrator, Doug Skeen with
information about their most distant proven Skene/Skeen
ancestor. If you are a part of a group of descendants
whose Line can not be traced due to a lack of source documents,
please refer to your descent as "Lineage
Unknown."
The Skeen/Skene DNA Project
tests the Y chromosome of males for genealogical purposes. The test
results can indicate who is related to whom, and the approximate
time frame when a common ancestor lived.
We Need
Participants
We are actively seeking participants, and encourage
males with a direct line of Skene/Skeen/Skeens descent to join us.
Participation is easy and the test is quick and
painless. Your privacy is maintained. There is a nominal fee
for participation to cover the lab test. You are sent a kit in the
mail with a release form to be signed. To conduct the test, you use
a small brush, and stroke the inside of your cheek to remove some
cells. The brush is then placed in a tube, and the procedure is to
be repeated on the other side of your mouth. The kit is then
returned. The lab will analyze the DNA and provide the result, a
string of 25 numbers, in about 6 weeks.
Your privacy is
maintained since the lab only has a number assigned to your sample
and you are furnished with a unique username and password for
individual page at Family Tree DNA. The lab at Family Tree
will automatically notify you of others in the group who share your
DNA signature and who would be willing to correspond with
you.
The project administrator will compare the results of
all the participants and prepare and update a chart of these results
which will be published periodically in the Clan Skene Association
Newsletter and also on this the web site.
We are very excited
about this project and the prospects of unraveling some of the
mysteries of the past. We need participants, and encourage you to
sign up today.
Registration can be
accomplished online by visiting our project web page at Family
Tree DNA by clicking
here.
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