Summary Results

It is our goal to make as much information as we can available to you with regard to progress, participation, and results on our Greathouse Surname Y-DNA project. We are requesting that each test participant provide their ancestry, as far back as they can.

The results displayed for each participant represents the number of STR markers their Y-DNA was tested for, usually between 12 and 76 markers, which have been sorted by the Greathouse Participant ID#, assigned to each participant as they joined the project. Each participant is assigned a sequential number in order to insure privacy.

We currently have Y-DNA results for 36 male Greathouse participants who have joined the project.

Following is a Network Diagram, also called a Cladogram, which can be used to show DNA marker differences in a way that makes it easier to interpret the results that have been obtained. It can only be used on a group that consists of three or more participants that have a significant number of markers in common. So, at this time, we can only use it on the [Lineage I (Haplogroup I1 - Northern Europe)] group.

Network Diagram for the Greathouse Surname Y-DNA Project
Updated 19 May 2007

Always, the first feature to focus on is to see that the cousins from each ancestral line match up with each other. Each yellow circle in the network diagram represents one or more participants with matching DNA test results. Three of the participants in the large yellow circle have been tested on fewer markers than the typical 43 markers that we have been using for this project, but on the markers tested, there is an exact match. The participant id, is the number 001-018 for the participants. The family line that the participant comes from is represented by the color coded abbreviation in front of the participant id. The black codes, on the lines connecting the yellow circles, are the DNA test markers that show differences when making a comparison between two or more people.

Since none of these participants differ by more than three markers, they all, very likely, share the same recent common ancestry, which is Herman Groethausen born about 1670 in Germany or a close ancestor of his .

The largest yellow circle is the group that is represented by participants 001, 004, 005, 006, 013, 016, and 018. This group has the largest number of participants with identical test results. They all have exact matches on all markers tested. They represent the lines of: John Greathouse and Sarah Mc Dade; Jacob Greathouse of Georgia; Michael Greathouse and Debbie Snawder; Herman Groethausen, and a Greathouse Orphan. The test results of these people are currently considered to be the ‘ancestral haplotype’1 – the haplotype that defines the family line, because it is the largest group with identical test results. We would like to have at least two and up to four participants from each family group in order to firmly establish Herman Groethausen’s haplotype. From each line, at least two participants are needed. Non-paternity events (i.e., adoption, infidelity, etc.) occur at about 2-5% every generation, so having two or more participants per line is vital to ensure that the correct haplotype is obtained for a particular family line. As a general rule, the further back the common ancestor, the more participants are required.

Participants 009 and 011 are both documented descendants of Herman Groethausen. They both differ by one marker from the ‘ancestral haplotype’. If the ‘ancestral haplotype is correct for Herman Groethausen, then somewhere between Herman and participant 009, a mutation occurred. If we had more cousins related to participant 009, we might be able to locate the ancestor where the mutation occurred. The same is true for participant 011.

Participant 010 and 008 also differ on one marker each from the ‘ancestral haplotype’. Again with enough participants, we might be able to determine the ancestor where the mutation occurred. The same is true for participant 007.

Participant 003, shares the S456a mutation with participant 007, but participant 003 shows two additional mutations. Participant 003 is a documented descendant of Harmon 1750, while participant 007 is a documented descendant of Harmon Greathouse 1787. It has been considered that Harmon 1750 might be the father of Harmon 1787. While they share the S456a mutation, the descendant of Harmon 1750 has two additional mutations that do not show up for Harmon 1787, as one would think they should if they are indeed father and son.

Some DNA projects have hundreds of participants. As you can see, there is a lot more to be learned as we add participants to the project. DNA testing should only be used in conjunction with documented genealogy. Therefore the conclusions drawn are not absolute certainties, but the DNA evidence does give very strong support for the conclusions. These first results from these participants, shows that our genealogy research is on the right track, and that these participants are descended from Herman Groethausen, or a close ancestor/relative of his, even if they can not provide other documentation to prove it.