While DNA testing for genealogical purposes is a complicated subject, the following is a simplified explanation of the process.
DNA
is a substance found in the cells in our bodies, and it contains our genes. It is contained in pairs of thread-like material
called chromosomes, which are passed down to us from our parents. Since we are all different, the characteristics of the DNA
in our chromosomes are different from those in other people. We all have 23 pairs of these chromosomes. Both males and
females have 22 pairs that are essentially the same, called X chromosomes. The 23rd pair, however, can be very much different
from the rest. In females, all 23 pairs are made up of X-chromosomes. But in males, that 23rd pair contains only one X-chromosome
and one completely different, called the Y-chromosome. Those of us with the 23rd pair with 2 X's are always female, and
those of us with the 23rd pair made up of one X and one Y are always male.
The image to the left shows the 22 pairs of X-chromosomes that both males and females have in the cells in their bodies.
The 23rd pair in the blue box shows the Y-chromosome that only males possess. The 23rd pair that females possess would
have both X's and no Y. It is the DNA in that Y-chromosome that is passed down from father to son, mainly unchanged over
the generations, that is being tested.
On the right is a cell showing the chromosomes in its center.
An enlarged chromosome is shown to its right in
the box with its contents ending in the thread-like strands of DNA.
The exciting part of DNA testing from the genealogy standpoint is that the Y-chromosome is passed down from father to son almost entirely
unchanged generation after generation.
Though probably unlikely, assume that Keeps all over the world are descended from Keep
families in
We have already discovered using the DNA-Y testing that John Keep of
How Was This Discovered?
We know that John of Longmeadow
had a Y-chromosome, of course, and we know that all of his male descendants in
The test results and family lines of those involved can be found on this site.
How
Can the Project Help Discover Other Keep Family Lines?
There is an unknown number of Keeps in
Because it is possible that Y-chromosomes can change just a bit over time, there will have to be a substantial
number of Males with the surname Keep to participate in the project. Females can also participate by sponsoring their male relatives
with the surname Keep.
Those of you who would like a more detailed explanation of DNA and the Y-chromosome are welcome to go
to the Blair family website to find it. http://blairdna.com/dna101.html
FamilyTreeDNA Explanations Click here for "watch videos" at the lab.
Welcome to the Keep Family DNA Project
Introduction. This Project was begun with the narrow purpose of attempting to discover the ancestral roots of John Keep of
The difficult process of
establishing John's particular line leading to Walter's has now begun, and much DNA testing of both American and British, and indeed
of world-wide Keeps, remains to be carried out in aid of this quest.
The attempt is being made not only to discover the ancestral lines of John Keep of
For some time, genealogists have been excited that DNA testing can be a great aid in this type of research. There is a substance in the human cell that contains material that is handed down virtually unchanged from father to son, father to son, generation after generation. This DNA Project tests that material of Males with the surname Keep in order to discover roots, relationships, and connections of the greater Keep Family and variations of that name. The testing lab being used for this work is located at the University of Arizona.
The simple test described below can be used to place Keeps in the various
lines of our family, though it must be understood that much testing, traditional genealogical research, and the passage of time will
be required to create the type of family tree that is sought. It also has to be emphasized that Females in the Keep family wishing
to participate would have to sponsor or elicit the cooperation of a Male relative with that surname to act as a proxy, so to speak.
Please continue reading below for a bit more detail.