Rowland Xref Project Summary

The Rowland Xref Project is the current focal point of our Rowland DNA research. Its ambitious goal is to cross-reference all Rowland Y-DNA test takers to their associated family trees. More specifically, the intent is to link and cross-reference (Xref) the members (Y-DNA test-takers) of the Rowland Project at FamilyTreeDNA to the various Rowland ancestral lines and profiles of the Rowland Project at WikiTree.

We are using the genetic genealogy techniques of combining the science of Y-DNA testing with traditional document-based family relationship research. This provides us the opportunity to identify and categorize the various lines of the Rowland surname throughout the world.

A note about Patriarchs: The so-called patriarchs of each group are labeled as “Earliest Known Ancestors” since they are far from proven (and there is always a prior generation). This person is only a “best estimate” with the data available. In many cases, the Earliest Known Ancestor and the FamilyTreeDNA identified earliest known paternal ancestor are in conflict with each other, and more importantly, in conflict with the DNA evidence. These Earliest Known Ancestors will change as conflicts are resolved and/or earlier generations are discovered and documented. Over time, the Rowland Xref Project hopes to get all of the Earliest Known Ancestors aligned with the DNA evidence, which will improve everyone’s confidence in the descendant trees.

Xref Project Trees Status

Each Rowland Y-DNA group has (or will have) an identified patriarch with a descendant tree. This table contains information on the patriarch, size and status of the tree.

GroupDescriptionEarliest Known Ancestor(s)# Descendants#Kits
Group A Shenandoah, VirginiaAndrew Rowland (1720-1780)
John Rowland (1775-1822)
George Rowland (1773-) 
Lawson Rowland (1832-1892)
435
419
0
25
7 (3 private)
Group BChester, PennsylvaniaJames Rowland (c1715-1762)
Dr Thomas Rowland (c1805-1878)
3,150
187
9 (2 private)
Group CGranville, North CarolinaThomas Rowland (1741-1814)
Dowdle Rowland (1780-1857)
626
75
7 (1 private)
Group D [2]Iowa/PA/NCWilliam Rowland (c1742-b1810)
William Roland (1842-1917)
151
44
4
Group EFairfield, Connecticut/
Snitterton, Derbyshire
Henry Rowland (1625-1691)
Stephen M Rowland (1792-1835) 
Timothy M Rowland (1832-b1870)
9,682
4
10
8
Group F [1]Botetourt, VirginiaRobert Rowland (1716-1782)
Thomas Rowland (1750-1836)
1,609
176
3
Group GDerbyshire/SheffieldRobert Rowland (1675-1711 ) 1652
Group HWake, North CarolinaNathan Rowland (c1720-c1800) 3588 (1 private)
Group I [2]PA/MD/OH GermanicJohannes Jacob Roland (1691-1763)
Gasper Roland (1721-1809)
James Rolen (c1785-)
Henry Roland (1785-1849)
William Rowland (1805-)
2,122
4,059
29
25
134
12 (3 private)
Group J [1]Surry, VirginiaJohn Rowland II (1614-1653)
William Amon Rowland (c1785 – af1860)
John Rowland (1785-1834)
Ragsdale Rowland (1788- )
Martin/Maslon Rowland (1794- ) 
37,000+
160
75
90
97
21 (4 private)
Group LEngland to Canada(2 private)
Group MEssex, EnglandNicholas Rowland (1510-)1155
Group NCounty Mayo, IrelandThomas Rowland (1830-1894)108
Group OIsle of Wight, EnglandArthur Rowland (c1704-c1785)
William Rowlands (c1769-1831)
Daniel Rolen (1788-1851)
John R Roling (1837-1899)
158
127
89
16
4 (1 private)
Group ZGroups of 1see below
Rowland Xref Trees Status as of 31 Dec 2023
Notes
  1. Conflict: The WikiTree profile for Robert Rowland (1716-1782) has both DNA Group F and DNA Group J descendants. DNA Group J is assumed to be correct, and the error resides in the branch containing Richardson Rowland (1791-1872).
  2. Conflict: The WikiTree profile for Gasper Roland (1721-1809) has both DNA Group D and DNA Group I descendants. At this time, DNA Group I is assumed to be correct.

Descendant Trees of Group Z – Groups of 1

These are the trees for a defined “group of 1” which are Rowland DNA test-takers without any matches.

GroupDescriptionEarliest Known Ancestor(s)# Descendants# Kits
Group ZMcMinn County, TennesseeAndrew Roland (c1770-a1850)6901
Group ZMacon County, MissouriYounger W Rowland (c1770-bf1850)
John Younger Rowland (1776-1839)
2691
Group ZMcNairy County, TennesseeWilliam Rowland (1797-c1840)1981
Group ZManchester to YonkersJohn Rowland Sr (1827-1891)421
Rowland Group Z – Groups of 1 Descendant Tree Status as of January 10, 2024

Descendant Trees without Test Takers – Untested Rowland Lines

Sorted by the largest number of descendants with WikiTree profiles

GroupDescriptionEarliest Known Ancestor(s)# Descendants#Kits
UntestedLa Tremblade, France Pierre Rolland (1650-1741) 9,6030
UntestedNew London, ConnecticutHugh Rowland (1648-1702)
Benjamin Rowland (1753-1831)
Nathaniel Rowland (1760-1818)
1,883
21
11
0
UntestedOrkney, Scotland Robert Rowland (1705- ) 5160
UntestedHanover County, VirginiaThomas Edward Rowland (1690-1744)3970
UntestedBerks County, PennsylvaniaDavid Roland (-1820) 3820
UntestedNew South Wales, AustraliaWilliam Rowland (1807-1850)2960
UntestedCornwall to Victoria, AustraliaWilliam Rowland (1807-1855) 2850
UntestedShovel Works, Rowlandville, Pennsylvania
from Rhosybayvil, Wales
William Rowland (1650-1714)2740
UntestedFrederick County, VirginiaMathew Martin Rowland (1780-1835)
Samuel Rowland (abt.1783-1870)
John Rowland (1807-1882)
Ray Moncrief Rowland (1870-1948)
David Morgan Rowland (1894-1961)
22 (212 total)
86
88
12
4
0
UntestedDelmarva Peninsula, USASamuel Rowland (1676-1727)1760
UntestedYancey County, North CarolinaHenry “Halle” Roland (1777-1876)1570
UntestedPerth, Ontario from Somerset, EnglandWilliam Rowland (c1775-) 1510
UntestedMontgomery County, North CarolinaRobert Roland (1769-1854) 1450
UntestedWashington County, PennsylvaniaHenry Rowland (1749-1821)1400
UntestedWarren County, North CarolinaBurch Rowland (c1765-c1835)1410
UntestedMontgomery-Fulton, New YorkSamuel Rowland (c1795- c1843)
Stephen Rowland (1795-1869) 
1170
UntestedLexington County, South CarolinaJohn Roland (c1776-b1860) 1140
UntestedHawkins County, TennesseeNathan Glen Rowland (1813-1897)1020
UntestedEmanuel County, GeorgiaNathan Rowland (1783-1861)
Williamson Rowland (1800- )
Joseph T.R. Rowland (1859-1930)
Nathan Rowland (1870-1940)
24 (97 total)
46
14
13
0
UntestedLebanon County, PennsylvaniaJohan Jacob Rohland (1759-1841) 520
UntestedLenawee County, MichiganCharles Rowland (1805-1863) 
William B Rowland (1818-1878)
510
Rowland Untested Descendant Tree Status as of 31 Dec 2023

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