The Rowland Project DNA Results page at FamilyTreeDNA rolled out DNA Group Z this past week. The members of Group Z are Rowland males who have taken a Y-DNA test but currently do not have any matches among the Rowland Project members. Until they get a match and form a new bonafide multiple-member group, these test-takers are essentially a collection of “Group of 1” kits. The Rowland Genealogy website also made these changes.
Prior to this change, the current 31 members of Group Z were listed in the Ungrouped section. Now, with the new Group Z designation, those kits can receive more attention, help us document their lines, and eventually identify branches with potential test-takers to get them a match.
In most cases, we know very little about these lines except what the test taker provided to FTDNA as their earliest known paternal ancestor. Oftentimes, this was nothing more than a name or a name and a date. Since there are often dozens of potential ancestors that match those broad descriptions, we have been unable to pinpoint the historical figure they are referring to. This is where you can help. If you can provide details of your nearest pre-1900 ancestor, then we can do the work of building out your line while maintaining your anonymity.
Is there an overlap between Group Z and the Untested?
By strict definition, the answer is “no,” there is no overlap between the tested members of Group Z and the untested group. However, one or more members of Group Z may be a descendant of one of the more than 20 defined descendant trees we already have documented. We just don’t know about any such connections. If you are now a member of the new Group Z, let us know if one of the Untested Groups appears to be part of your family tree. Here are the page links:
Is there still an Ungrouped category?
Yes, there is still an ungrouped category of DNA test-takers. The kits remaining in Ungrouped are those where the test taker indicated they were not a Rowland male. However, they had legitimate reasons for joining the Rowland Project, such as having an ancestor or autosomal DNA match to a Rowland.