House of Alexander

As many of you may already know, a new SNP, L21, has recently been tested by approximately one hundred participants. Eighty-seven of those participants are known to be already identified as R-P312+/R-S116+ through SNP testing done just a few months ago. This latest SNP has had very high positive (derived) results among British Isles participants. The NW Irish Modal (M222+, aka Ui Neill cluster) is positive (derived) for this latest SNP, as are two participants who have haplotypes that match the Leinster Modal, a cluster that many suggest might be well correlated to the old Irish Laigin pedigree. Quite a high % of other participants with Welsh, English, Irish & Scottish surnames have also tested positive, but it is notable that as many English tested negative as tested positive. Half a dozen Hispanics who are R-P312+ also tested negative (ancestral) for the new SNP, while two Scandinavians & two Germans tested positive. Two participants in another cluster that is very close to the Scots Modal have tested negative (ancestral) for the new SNP, **but perhaps of interest to this discussion list, two participants who match the robust R1b Scots Modal (aka Dal Riadic signature, aka Strathclyde Briton Modal, aka Argyll Modal, aka Pict Modal) HAVE ALSO TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE NEW SNP.** There is too little data & too many possibilities at present to sort out all of the implications of the new SNP, which brings me to the point of this post. The R1b Scots Modal has been estimated to be the most common haplotype in Argyll, & is very well represented amongst the Highland Clans of Argyll, including Clan Gregor, Clan MacLea (Livingstone), Clan Labhran, Clan Campbell & many others. Most participants who carry the Scots Modal haplotype already know it, but aside from the previously mentioned Highland Clans, an incomplete list of surnames who have large R1b Scots Modal contingents - Alexander, Barron, Buchanan, Hamilton, MacConnell, MacDonald, McEachern, MacFarlane/MacFarland, MacFie-(MacDuffie, McAfee, etc.), MacMillan, & Rogers (MacRory). As I previously stated, two R1b Scots participants have already tested positive (I was one of them), but two is a lonely number. In order to clarify the position of the new SNP on the phylogenetic tree, we need to have a much more substantial number of participants tested. Those who have been advocates for research of their respective clusters (Leinster Modal, Irish Type 3, South Irish Modal, Rox-2, etc.) are all recruiting for participants in order to clarify the implications of this latest SNP. So what are the implications?? One possibility is that it will help confirm or dispel (in conjunction with other data) some of the debates about the relationships between all the Celtic speaking peoples of the British Isles. One of great interest to this list is the history of Dal Riada. That is very old folklore & history, & this test may help illuminate the question. Recall that M222+ is also L21+, & is now tentatively placed on the phylogenetic tree as downstream of L21. To sum, L21 is downstream of P312/S116, & M222 is downstream of L21 (P312>L21>M222). Recall as well that “Gaelic” pedigrees suggest that Dal Riada descend from the Ui Neill, as do the Laigin (Leinster Modal ??, L21+), & you see that this could be interesting. For those who already know themselves to match the R1b Scots Modal *& who have already tested 67 markers*, you can order the new SNP from Family Tree DNA by clicking on [Order Tests & Upgrades] (at the top of the left hand column on your FTDNA personal home page), then click on [Advanced Orders], then scroll down & select “R-L21 - US $39.00″. BE CAREFUL NOT TO SELECT “R-L12 - US $39.00″ JUST TWO ENTRIES ABOVE IT!! That’s it, except for the waiting. If just half a dozen participants from each cluster test this SNP, we may have a much better idea of how the Celtic ancestors of Britain & Ireland are related.The other item I would like to point out is that many, many “clusterless” haplotypes with British Isles surnames are testing positive as well, *but again, not all*. What that means is not entirely clear at present, but the more that test, the greater the potential for clearing it up. Best of luck to us all, Pat Tagert

Hey Sarah,
          I received your mail; this page 53 sent me to the Logan County  records…land warrants# 4159 issued to a corporal James Alexander (200 acres) Virginia Continental line..the other warrant# 3441 of 100 acres issued to a (says) soldier James Alexander for three years in the Virginia State Line (?)….maybe you can decipher this better than me. I haven’t studied the census of Logan County yet, but from reading the web page, this seemed to be a jumping off place for many folks….toward Bedford county, for example….My gg-father Hugh B.’s wife Rachel is listed as been born in Ky..   Thanks for all this information….the statement you made about  “taking full gospel “…that’s appreciated for sure! So many times now, with the internet, etc, so many people just copy anything down and call it authentic!  Have a good day..
                                                                                                             Sincerely,
                                                                                                                       Wayne

Dear Sarah,
        I’m lost for words;..in less than a couple of weeks, just luckly ran across your web-site…ordered your book, and now with your thorough research, have connected my line of Alexanders…When I read your book, I had a good feeling, that we were connected somehow!  You have accomplished what myself, and others, I have hired over the years (since the 60’s), in such a short time…Thank you, seems short, but I’m grateful for your help…have a great day!
                                                                                                             Sincerely,
                                                                                                                       Wayne

Hey Sarah,
      Yesterday was my day away from the office; I did receive the pictures, thanks you much….they are filed for future use…I Thought I remembered them from sometime back….went through my mother’s things and found the Hardin Co. book…..nothing like a trip down memory lane…again, I apprecicate your time and interest……..I must commend you again, your book is great…….one paragraph when you were explaining your deep inter most feelings when you visited graveyards, etc….I have had this myself but have never mentioned it to anyone…….have a nice day!
                                                                                   Sincerely,
                                                                                             Wayne