Rowland YDNA Cladograms

Introduction

YDNA cladograms have been constructed for the Rowland DNA groups. A cladogram is a diagram showing the connections (relations) among various organisms.  When constructing genetic genealogy cladograms, the organisms are individual YDNA test results (kits), and the connectors are mutations at designated STR markers.  Each branch represents one or more hypothetical ancestors.  However, since it is possible to create many evolutionary tree variations from the same cladogram, they do not provide definitive proof of the genealogical sequence of the relationships.  They can, however, provide new and worthwhile clues into our ancestry and suggest areas for additional research.

I created an example cladogram to help everyone understand how to read and interpret these diagrams.  The actual cladograms following this example were constructed from the raw data found on the FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) Rowland Project page on the DNA Results Colorized Chart.  The row in the Colorized Chart labeled “Mode” represents the most common value at each STR marker for members of the group. 

Guidelines used when constructing the Rowland cladograms:

1. Determine the Ancestral Profile, which is the Mode of a genetic group, and make it the large center circle
2. Compare all kits to the Ancestral Profile by counting the number of mutation differences
3. Include all kits with an exact match to the Ancestral Profile in the large center circle
4. Identify kits with shared mutations, which are often called Lineage Specific Values, as they tend to suggest being on the same branch
5. Connect all kits starting with the lowest number of mutations, with priority given to kits with shared mutations
6. There needs to be a node between each mutation, use unknown nodes to separate multiple mutations
7. Mutations tend to occur only once (they typically do not revert back)
8. Mutations typically do not exceed one per generation and are often 5-6 generations apart

In the example cladogram below, each number within a circle represents a unique YDNA sample (kit).  The numbers correspond to the DNA kit number assigned to that person’s sample. For this example, we used hypothetical kit numbers to create a 37-marker cladogram.   Various objects on the cladogram are labeled ..1.. through ..8.. and are discussed below:

1. The larger green circle in the middle is the Ancestral Profile and contains the kit numbers that are an identical match to the Mode values at all 37 markers.   As more and more kits are added to a given group, the most common value at a given marker may change, which in turn may alter the Ancestral Profile/Mode and the kits contained within this center circle.
2. This medium-sized circle toward the upper left is different from the Ancestral Profile by a single mutation (FTDNA calls this a 1-step difference).  This mutation is in the DYS438 marker, where its value of 13 is indicated on the blue connecting line. This circle has two kit numbers, which indicates that these two kits have a shared mutation of DYS438=13, which is now a Lineage Specific Value.
3. This DYS439=13 mutation is a Lineage Specific Value shared by three kits: 1) Kit N123456, 2) the kit in the upper right labeled “Private”, and 3) the kit in the lower right labeled “Other Surname”. For kit N123456, this is the only mutation that sets it apart from the Mode (Ancestral Profile) while the other two kits have additional mutations.
4. The small circle containing a question mark indicates an Unkown node between multiple mutations. Since mutations are typically limited to one per generation, it is believed that this node represents an individual ancestor, although not enough of his descendants have been tested to isolate this branch.
5. The medium-sized circle near the upper right is labeled “Private” because the owner of this kit has decided not to make their kit number publicly visible. It is different from the Ancestral Profile by three mutations.  It is shown further away from the Ancestral Profile with the small green circle (described in item 4 above) serving as the intermediary node. 
6. This dashed line identifies a shared mutation that cannot be shown on the chart in the usual way because of other mutations.  Two of the kits have this CDY mutation, although it is the only mutation for kit B1234567 (at the bottom), while the kit in the upper right has two additional mutations. The kit in the upper right also has shared mutations with two other kits closer to the Mode (Ancestral Profile). Therefore, it is assumed that the kit in the upper right independently generated this CDY mutation instead of being a Lineage Specific Value shared with the kit at the bottom.
7. The medium-sized yellow-shaded circle indicates a kit where the tester has a different surname. However, it is not different as a result of adoption, name change, or other Non-Paternity Event (NPE). Instead, it is because their common ancestor probably lived more than 600 years ago before the use of surnames became common. Generally, these types of matches can only be identified with Big Y 700 testing.
8. Note boxes are used to identify kits tested to a different quantity of markers or other facts that might be important in understanding the diagram. The number of markers used in the construction of the cladogram is indicated in the title box (37 markers usually). The number in parentheses after the kit # indicates the number of markers for this particular kit and serves as a warning that its location on the cladogram may not be reliable.

Group A

The kits in Group A (Shenandoah Virginia) represent a fairly homogeneous grouping with three of the kits being a perfect match with the Ancestral Profile, and the other four kits being no more than two mutations away. The two kits toward the lower right have a shared Lineage Specific Value mutation of DYS442=12, suggesting they are more closely related to each other than to other members of the group.

Group B

This group (early Chester County Pennsylvania) has only two kits matching the Ancestral Profile, and one of the two has only been tested to 12 markers. Therefore, the Ancestral Profile (Mode) is likely to change as more people with this YDNA profile join the project. Two other surnames show up in this group: Williams and Griffith. They are both members of the R-FT174877 haplogroup, which according to the Big Y Block Tree is downstream from haplogroup R-BY19088 (haplogroup of Rowland kit# B112520). Additionally, the Big Y Time Tree at FTDNA estimates the common ancestor between these two haplogroups lived about the year 1250CE, further supporting the “before surnames” theory.

Group C

This group (Granville County, North Carolina) has only one kit matching the Ancestral Profile, and therefore the Ancestral Profile is likely to change as more kits are added to the group.

Group D

This group (Iowa/PA/NC) has only two members that have tested at more than 12 markers. Therefore the cladogram was constructed from only 12 markers and lacks detail. However, two of the kits tested to the 111-marker level, and they are an identical match with each other (and with the Ancestral Profile).

Group E

This group (Early CT-NY locations) has two kits matching the Ancestral Profile but only at the 12-marker level. Four other kits are within two mutations of the mode, while one outlier differs by four mutations.

Groups F and G

No Rowland YDNA cladograms have been constructed for these two groups. Group F (Boutetourt Virginia) contains only three kits, and they match at all tested levels. Therefore, they would all be in the same central circle. Group G (Sheffield/Derbyshire, England) has only two kits, and while they differ by two mutations at the 12-marker level, who is to say which one represents the Ancestral Profile and which one has the mutations? These two groups need more YDNA testers.

Group H

Most of the members of this group (Early Johnston/Wake counties NC) have tested to the 67-marker level or higher. Therefore, the cladogram was constructed with 67-marker data, which reveals additional details. For this group, we can see that there is one significant outlier, while the other five are more closely related. The outlier shows to be five mutations away from the Mode (Ancestral Profile) at 67 markers but would be only three mutations different if the cladogram were to be constructed with 37-marker data.

Group I

This group (early locations in PA/OH) is one of our larger ones with a dozen kits. Currently, all members are within two mutations of the Ancestral Profile. However, the circle in the upper-left corner contains three kits and the Ancestral Profile could potentially shift to it as more kits are added to the group.

Group J

This group (Colonial Surry County, Virginia) is by far the largest Rowland group with 21 kits. As you can see in the cladogram, it is also one of the most homogenous groups with most of the wagon wheel spokes only one mutation away from the hub. If the three excluded kits were to be added to this cladogram, they would all reside in the center Ancestral Profile circle with a warning note about the number of markers tested. There is one outlier, although he definitely belongs to this group.

Groups K and L

These are two more groups where no Rowland YDNA cladograms have been constructed. Group K is a unique set of testers from Saline County, Arkansas, known to carry the Rowland surname but not pre-1865 Rowland YDNA as a result of NPEs after the Civil War. Therefore, their YDNA markers vary widely and cannot be used to construct a cladogram. Similar to Group F above, Group L (England to Canada) contains only two kits that match, which would place them in the same circle.

Group M

All members of Group M (Essex, England) have tested to the Big Y 700 level, allowing this cladogram to be constructed with 111-marker data (the Big Y match report can provide even further granularity). Although more mutations are visible at the 111-marker level, notes have been added to help understand how it might look if built from 37-marker data like most of the other groups. The yellow circle with the Sidgwick/Sedgwick surname is the result of a common ancestor that lived before surnames became common. This was discussed in the article Rowland DNA Group M Update, written by group member Nick Rowland earlier this year.

Group N

This group, with roots in County Mayo Ireland, has a fairly straightforward cladogram with no members more than one mutation away from the Mode.

Group O

This is our newest grouping and already has four members. One member has shared their story in the article The Forgotten Relatives: From the Isle of Wight, England to Hutchinson, Kansas, written by Jean Rowland. Another member has ancestors from Surrey County, England which adjoins the county of Hampshire (Isle of Wight) to the northwest.

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Each Rowland YDNA cladogram has been added to its associated Xref Group page.