WELCOME TO
THE MAXWELL Y-DNA PROJECT
IN MEMORIAM: Wilmer B."Max" Maxwell, a World War II
veteran and co-founder of the Maxwell-DNA project, passed away
on April 5, 2014 at the age of 91 in Carlisle, PA.
Read his full obituary here.
UPDATE 2023: BIG Y update and discussion
by Andrew J. Maxwell M.D.
(CLICK HERE)
NEED MORE BIG Y
upgrades or Donors !!!!
contact Donald P. Maxwell, Jr., M.D.
dmaxwelljr @hotmail.com
RECOGNITION and ACCOLADES :
FTDNA EARLY PIONEER AWARD
GOLD Award- SURNAME groups
One of three surnames to receive the GOLD AWARD from
Mike Walsh at R1b List. It recognizes the development
of over 50 distinct family units (close family clades / blocks)
using private SNP markers to form the subgrouping (branches).
A Special thanks to Jennifer and Simon Maxwell for all their
hard work !!
Lets keep adding new Big Y tests to continue developing the
Maxwell branches in 2021-2022.
(for larger quality image)
Source: https://www.facebook.com.groups/705308336629815
UPDATE 2021: We are looking for old proven lineages to sponsor and test Big Y. One high priority is the Maxwells of SouthBar (Adam Maxwell bc 1405).
UPDATE 2020: Be sure to read the comments and recommendations on the detailed GROUPs chart
UPDATE 2019: A special thanks to to all the donors, sponsors and Maxwell cousins.
Also to Jennifer and Simon Maxwell for their detailed analysis and correspondence.
A SPECIAL NOTE of mention is made to George Anthony Maxwell for the wealth of information on all the "ancient" Houses of Maxwell at http://www.maxwellsociety.com/
Using the rapidly developing tools and advanced genetic genealogy testing (Big Y with SNP marker testing) we will surely add more specific branches (more recent branches) to the already proven descendants of:
Herbert Maxwell 1st of Caerleverock (d1454) = M7884 +POS,
John Master of Maxwell (d1484 Battle of Kirtle) = M7884 POS Y2357 +POS,
Edward Maxwell of Tinwald/Tynwald d bef. 1495 [also Monreith, Carnsalloch, Southbar & Ardwell] = M7884 + Y2357 NEG A1273 POS
Sir Eustace Maxwell MAXWELLs of Tealing = M7884 +POS, Y2357 -NEG, A1273 NEG
John Maxwell of POLLOCK dc 1310 = Y131342 +POS
CLICK HERE FOR NEWEST (FEB 2022 -Dec 2021 version) SUMMARY
OF DNA results by Groups and Big Y results (open in new tab/page to view entire doc)
***Be sure to check out BIG Y RESULTS (hyperlink on left) especially the notes and comments for Groups 6.xx
BIG Y RESULTS : https://www.ytree.net/DisplayTree.php?blockID=266
SAPP chart link is LARGE file- Often it requires download to view (August42020)
DECEMBER 2018 UPDATE: Please review the new spread sheet and the groupings for accuracy. The new spread sheet includes all donor sample kits and STR results (up to 111 markers). Email Don Maxwell M.D. [dmaxwelljr@hotmail.com] with corrections and suggestions. We have added hyperlinks and webpages to each kit number when we know one. Please also send your website's URL directly to Don Maxwell M.D. Please note that the groupings on the spreadsheets (Y- DNA Test Results) need definitive standard primary documents proof. They represent a "probable" close family relationship but DO NOT prove a specific relationship. They DO provide a guide to which of the complex Maxwell branches one needs to focus in on.
AUGMENTING TRADITIONAL RESEARCH
The use of DNA as a genealogical tool is complementary to (not independent of) traditional genealogical research. We're all too familiar with the fact that the "paper trail" sometimes provides incomplete, conflicting information or the proverbial "brick wall" dead end. In other cases, we may suspect two disjointed lineages are connected, but we have no documentation to support the assertion. Worse yet, there can exist "proven" lines which are actually incorrect (perhaps based on faulty assumptions, misinterpretations, old records published ,online and elsewhere, without definitive proof. In all of these cases, DNA provides an unbiased method for validating (or debunking) conclusions (or theories) that are based on traditional genealogical methods. This new scientific tool is sometimes referred to as "genetic genealogy". The technology is evolving very rapidly and is now being incorporated into most current day genealogical projects.
THE Y-CHROMOSOME IS THE KEY
The Y chromosome is transmitted from father to sons only. Scientists have identified a small portion of the Y chromosome which is passed virtually unchanged. Testing of this portion of the Y chromosome provides information about the direct male line, which is the father, his father, and so forth back in time. The locations tested on the Y chromosome are called "markers". Occasionally a mutation (i.e., a small change) occurs at one of the markers on the Y chromosome. These occasional mutations, are now being used as valuable new "tools" for genealogists when there is a need to identify a branch (branchlet, or twig) of a specific donor's family members. Thus, by comparing the "markers" of two individuals, we can determine if the two are related. If they are related, we can also calculate approximately how recently (% chance at certain number of generations) the common ancestor (MRCA = most recent common ancestor) lived (refered to as a TiP report by FTDNA).
PLEASE JOIN US
Click on the links near the top or left hand part of this page to learn more about the project, how you can get involved and to get answers to questions you will likely have.