To Participate

 

There are several ways to participate in this Keep Family Project::

 

~~Submit material to the website, ask questions and provide answers to those who do post questions.

 

~~Become a participant in the DNA Project if you are a male with the surname Keep or its variations.

 

~~If you aren't eligble for DNA testing, encourage or sponsor a relative who is.

 

* * * *

 

The DNA Project

 

The following instructions are directed to Males with the last name Keep.

 

If you have questions about the Project, be sure to read the DNA Project pages.  In addition, questions can be answered by using these email links to Bob Warner or John Keep.

 

Here are the steps:  (You may want to print this page.)

 

1.  Email the following information to Bob for North and South America, and John for the rest of the world.

 

a.  Name and mailing address.

 

b.  The names of  your known furthest back Keep ancestor, and as many details/dates about that person as possible, and as far as possible the names and details/dates of those Keep forbears who lead back to that ancestor.  If you are not sure of your ancestors, please don't let this stop you.  The testing may reveal family history you are not aware of now.

 

c.  GEDCOM files cannot be utilized.  Pedigree charts should be limited to a couple of pages.

 

d.  Your test results will be listed on the results chart by number, not by name.  Please send permission for your name to be listed in an associated index, or indicate that it should not be.

 

e.  Go below to read about what test to consider taking.

 

f.  Email this information, and specific instructions will be sent regarding the ordering process.

 

g.  In any event, when ordering from familytreedna be sure it is done in the Keep Family DNA Project Group.  This link takes you directly to the ordering page of the lab, but please send the above information and receive specific instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What to consider before choosing which test to order.

 

Y-chromosome analysis for genealogy research in the human male is still in its infancy, but it is rapidly evolving as techniques develop and knowledge and understanding increases. The DNA Testing Explained page provides an insight into the testing of "markers" in the non-recombinant or "junk" (what has been formerly considered useless) DNA of the Y-chromosome. 

 

The basic test available is for 12 markers, which if the results are found to be identical to the other participants suggests a very likely indication that they share a common ancestry, and are related. The more markers you choose to have tested and the more identical the matches found, the degree of probability increases, ambiguous results are avoided, and meaningful data obtained.  However, upgrades in the testing are available later without additional samples having to be sent.

 

Approximate cost of testing:

 

12 marker test        $ 99

25 marker test         124

37 marker test         149

67 marker test         239      

 

Example of Four 12 Marker Test Results.

 

 

 

Locus

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Participant

Haplogroup

DYS#

393

390

19

391

385a

385b

426

388

439

389-1

392

389-2

One

I1

Alleles

14

22

15

10

13

14

11

14

11

12

11

28

Two

I1

Alleles

14

22

15

10

13

14

11

14

11

12

11

28

Three

I1

Alleles

14

22

15

10

13

13

11

14

11

12

11

28

Four

I1

Alleles

14

22

15

10

13

14

11

14

11

18

11

28

 

This example shows four participants in a 12 marker test. All four share the same surname, and are from the same Haplogroup*. Participants One and Two have identical matches in all 12 markers or Locus, which indicates that they share a common ancestry, and that they are related.  Participant Three’s tests show a difference of 1 at locus 6, which indicates that they share a common ancestry, but further back in time, i.e. one of the branches of the family tree.  Number Four has a difference at locus 10 of 6; therefore, they are not related.

 

           *Haplogroups relate to deep ancestry, 10,000 years or more. I1 is found most frequently within Viking / Scandinavian populations in northwest Europe and has since spread down into Central and Eastern Europe, where it is found at low frequencies

 

The degree of identical matches in marker values in two individuals, i.e. 25 identical out of 25 within the same surname, indicates a common ancestor. Occasionally a mutation or small harmless change may occur at one of the markers as it is passed from father to son.  The difference in marker values if there is not a complete match, i.e. 24 out of 25, if the one marker is different by a value of 1, then there most likely is a common ancestor, but further back in time.  If the difference is by a value of 3, then the probability is that there is no common ancestor.  The rates at which different Y-chromosome markers change or mutate are still not yet clearly understood or defined.  An empiric average mutation rate figure is being quoted about 1 mutation in every 500 genetic exchanges; however, different markers mutate at different rates and at different rates in different families.

 

An aim of this project is to link specific individuals to John Keep of Longmeadow to establish his ancestry before arriving in America in 1666, but it is also intended to build up a picture of the ancestry of people sharing the surname Keep, or a variation on the name, throughout the world.

 

Our initial tests are encouraging, demonstrating a 64 out of 67 match between Marcus Keep and John Lister Keep. The difference in values in respect to the 3 differences is 1 in each case.  Up to the 37 marker tests the results were identical.

 

An examination of the DNA results charts will show that other relationships have been discovered, and people within these groups are now working together to find common ancestors and other links.

 

So consider what test you want to undertake.  Whilst the higher number test is ideal , you can always opt for a lesser number and then upgrade at a later date if it seems desirable, with no additional sample having to be sent.  Whatever you decide it is very much appreciated that you have decided to participate in and take this project forward.

 

The Keep Family
Keeps Worldwide
 
The Keep Family
Surnames
The Keep Family
DNA Project
John Keep of
Longmeadow
Colonial History
Walter Kep, English History
The East Midlands Keeps
The North Amercan
Keep Families
The European
Keep Families
The British and Irish
Keep Families
The Southern Hemishere
Keep Families
How to Participate
Contacts and
Keep Family Links
The Keep Family
Inquiries
Keep Trivia
The Keep Family
Contributions to Society
Table of Contents
The DNA Project