The Rowland Xref Project released its 10 Most Wanted list for December 2020. It contains the 10 Rowland Y-DNA groups and Rowland Family Trees that are most in need of your help. If you have any information regarding the subject DNA or genealogies on this most wanted list, then please contact the Rowland Xref Project at your earliest convenience.
One of Rowland Genealogy’s missions 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.
The 10 Most Wanted fall into one of these categories:
- Category #1: Need genealogical information – FamilyTreeDNA has grouped the Y-DNA test takers, but the genealogical information has not been revealed to the Rowland Xref Project, and therefore any relationship between test-takers is unknown.
- Category #2: Need Y-DNA test-takers – genealogical documentation exists for this Rowland line, but there are not any known Y-DNA test takers that fall within this group (or there are possibly test takers who have not identified themselves to the Rowland Xref Project as possibly belonging to this group).
One of the Rowland Xref Project’s underlying assumptions is that the FamilyTreeDNA Y-DNA testing and groupings are correct, and that assumption holds true for this ‘most wanted’ list. Any and all changes to the Xref Project will be to the genealogical (family) trees, the group’s Earliest Known Ancestor, locations of descendants, and possibly the group’s name (but not the group’s alpha-character identification). In other words, DNA science has top priority, and everything else is subject to change to fit the DNA.
Group F (Early Botetourt County, Virginia)
Group: F (Early Botetourt County, Virginia)
Category #1: Need genealogical information
Locations: Botetourt, VA; Mercer, KY, Boone, MO
Comments: The Earliest Known Ancestor of this group, Robert Rowland (died 1762 at Botetourt), is often confused and conflated with Robert Rowland of Surry (believed to be part of Group J). One descendant branch that goes to Boone County, Missouri is well documented, but it is not at all clear how the group’s test-takers are genealogically related. Rowland Xref needs genealogical information from (or about) the Y-DNA test-takers in this group to help verify the more than 1,000 documented descendants of the Group F descendant tree. Additional information is located on the Group F page.
Group I (Descendants of Casper/Gasper Roland)
Group: I (Early Locations in PA/OH aka Descendants of Casper/Gasper Roland)
Category #1: Need genealogical information
Locations: Germany; Lancaster, PA; Rowan, NC; Harrison, KY; Washington, MD; Wyandot, OH
Comments: This is the second largest group at FamilyTreeDNA containing 12 Y-DNA test kits. Members of this group are believed to be of Germanic origin and primarily use the Roland spelling, although there is significant usage of Rowland. In addition to Gasper Roland (1721-1809), genealogical records suggest Johannes Jacob “Hanes” Roland (1691-1763) is another Earliest Known Ancestor, although we do not know how the two are related. Additionally, some members of Group D believe they are part of this group, but their DNA says otherwise. Genealogical information from the members of this group will be an immense help in getting this sorted out. Additional information is located on the Group I page.
Group J (Colonial Surry County, Virginia)
Group: J (Colonial Surry County, Virginia)
Category #1: Need genealogical information
Locations: England; Surry, VA; North Carolina; Tennessee; Georgia
Comments: This is the largest grouping at FamilyTreeDNA containing 15 Y-DNA test kits, and it may also be the least understood (by the Rowland Xref Project) from a genealogical records viewpoint. At this time, the Rowland Xref project is at a loss to explain how any of the 15 members of the group are related. An Earliest Known Ancestor with more than 1,700 documented descendants exists, although it is currently speculative without any DNA confirmation. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate any genealogical information from any member that would be helpful in understanding this largest group of test-takers. Additional information is located on the Group J page.
Group: Shovel Works
Group: Shovel Works
Category #2: Need Y-DNA test-takers
Locations: Rhosybayvil, Pembroke, Wales; Montgomery County, PA
Comments: This group is documented in “A Genealogical Sketch of The Posterity of John Rowland of Rhosybayvil” One branch emigrated from Pembroke, Wales to Chester County, Pennsylvania in the early 1700s. They settled in the Cheltenham area of Montgomery County (dubbed Rowlandville), and for many generations ran a large industrial complex collectively known as the Shovel Works. If you are a Rowland with ancestors from the Cheltenham area of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, then there is a very high probability that you are from this group and your DNA could help verify this important line. Some of the Shovel Works’ descendants believe they are descendants of John Rowland (1660-1715) or his brother Thomas, who sailed with William Penn and arrived in Pennsylvania in 1682. However, most historians are convinced that the Rowlands arriving with Penn died without any children.
Group: Orkney Islands
Group: Orkney Islands
Category #2: Need Y-DNA test-takers
Locations: Orkney Islands, Scotland; Rupert’s Land, NW Territories, Canada
Comments: Orkney is an isolated archipelago off the northeast coast of Scotland, making it a gateway for early Viking excursions into the British Isles. Genetic scientists have stated that of the 17 major UK genetic clusters, Orkney DNA is the most unique, and consists of about 25% Viking DNA. The Rowland Orkney line is documented back to 1705, with many generations in Orkney, and some descendant branches emigrating to Canada in the 1800s. The islands themselves have a Neolithic UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back more than 5,000 years. This is likely a very unique Rowland clan, and a Y-DNA sample from one of these descendants will help establish the Rowland presence on this remote outpost in the North Sea. Update (04 Dec 2020): The administrator of the Orkney Project at FamilyTreeDNA informed me the Rowland surname is now extinct in the Orkney Islands.
Group: Derbyshire
Group: Derbyshire
Category #2: Need Y-DNA test-takers
Locations: Derbyshire, England
Comments: One school of thought suggests the Rowland surname originated in Derbyshire as a means of identifying people from their location or habitant. The hamlet of Rowland lies within the Peak District National Park. Some believe the Rowland name in Derbyshire predates the Norman Conquest. The Rowland DNA project needs Rowland males from Derbyshire to take a Y-DNA test and some genealogical information to help us start building a tree.
Group: Ruland
Group: Ruland
Category #2: Need Y-DNA test-takers
Locations: France; Suffolk County, New York (Long Island)
Comments: This line has used the Ruland spelling since the early 1700s when they arrived on Long Island from France. Although the Ruland spelling still dominates, Rowland and Rolland spellings can be found among the descendants. This line is documented in “Ruland (Rowland) Family; with the Genealogy of Obadiah Ruland of Long Island”. There are many Rowland lines from England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. However, this is the only known Rowland/Ruland line from France. DNA testing should help us determine if these French Rowlands were part of the Norman invasion of England or if they are a completely unique line.
Group: Sleigh Rowland Cutlers
Group: Sleigh Rowland Cutlers
Category #2: Need Y-DNA test-takers
Locations: Sheffield, England: Franklin County, MA
Comments: Sleigh is a very unique given name, and when associated with the distinct trade of cutlery manufacturing, the resulting five generations of Sleigh Rowland cutlers definitely left their mark on the world. This line is documented back to about 1740 in Sheffield, England where one of the early Sleigh Rowlands had a reputation for making excellent knives and cutlery. The family continued the trade for more than 100 years (possibly longer), and one branch emigrated to Franklin County, Massachusetts about 1843 and continued the cutlery maker tradition in the New World. We need DNA test takers to join the Rowland Xref Project and help us put a stamp on this Rowland line. (Note: this line subsequently became Rowland DNA Group G)
Group: Essex
Group: Essex
Category #2: Need Y-DNA test-takers
Locations: Essex, England
Comments: One branch of this line is documented back to 1510 with about 18 generations spending their entire life in Essex. This group has one test taker, but more are needed to help build relationship trees. Did any end up in the USA, Canada, Australia, or even other parts of the UK? Or did they never leave Essex? Inquiring minds want to know, and Y-DNA will help provide the answers. (Note: this line subsequently became Rowland DNA Group M)
Group: Arthur (Arthur Ray Rowland)
Group: Arthur (Arthur Ray Rowland)
Category #1 and #2: Need genealogical information and Y-DNA test-takers
Locations: Virginia; Carolinas, Georgia
Comments: Arthur Ray Rowland produced dozens of documents detailing genealogical information of his (and possibly other Rowland lines). However, all but one of these documents have restricted access, and I have not been able to get in touch with him. He is believed to be still alive (born 1930), and his last known physical address is Augusta, Georgia. His last known email address (AOL) was recently tried and is no longer valid. If you have access to any of his documents or know how to reach him, then please contact the Rowland Xref Project.
Join the Rowland Xref Project
There is a complete step-by-step How To Participate in the Rowland Xref Project guide. However, if you have already taken a Y-DNA test, then you are more than halfway there. If you have information or questions, then you can leave a comment at the end of this article, or you can use the Online Contact system if you desire more privacy
Privacy
Rowland Genealogy respects your privacy. We do not have the ability to match you to your DNA kit number or to your family tree unless you provide us with the information and permission to do so. Your detailed Y-DNA data remains at FamilyTreeDNA. Our Xref Project tables contain the publicly available kit number (but not the kit owner’s name). Additionally, our published family tree information is limited to persons born before 1900 (unless you provide us or WikiTree with permission to use more recent generations).
——
If you are a Rowland or have a Rowland in your family tree, then you need to subscribe to the Rowland Genealogy Newsletter.
Hi Nora, I would be interested in researching this further. I’m of the belief that if Sarah (Rowland) Buckman were the connection between us, that she would be too far removed for autosomal DNA to detect. I will try to find your Ancestry profile and see what DNA matches we have in common. Have you uploaded your AncestryDNA file to GEDmatch?
Hi Ron, you are a 5th to 8th cousin on my Ancestry DNA. My Rowland connection is Sarah Rowland who came to America with her husband William Buckman on the Welcome with William Penn. Her parents were Thomas Rowland III and Priscilla Shepherd from Suffolk England who also came to Pennsylvania. I’m not sure where we fit in.
Arthur Ray Rowland’s lineage is already represented in the YDNA project. I have his contact info and will ask that he contact you. Jamie Rowland Fish, administrator Rowland Surname DNA project
That’s great!!!