Meek Family Y-DNA Project
Discussion-Group E

Group E
Irish Group

Group E is represented by a number of members from multiple ancestors most of whom are believed to have been born in Ireland. Members of this group are in the R1b (M269) haplogroup confirmed by SNP test on Kit #28000. They do appear to be tied together by unique values in DYS 392=14 which occurs in 10% of the R1b1 population. DYS CDY b=41 occurs in 4% of the population. However, this marker may also help subdivide the group. In addition DYS 607=14, DYS 635=25 and GATA1B07=11 may help define this group.

MD/York Co., SC

Ancestors
Sub-group 1

Adam Meek born 1726 Maryland
          Son: James Meek went to York Co., SC - Kit #31342

Robert Meek born 1732
          Son: William Meek born 1784 PA,went to Bonaparte, IA - Kit #146247

Joseph Meek born 1744. He resided in Washington Co., VA.
          Son: James Meek born 1774 was the father of Joe the mountain man. - Kit #83703

Samuel Meek born 1800 Ohio
          Son: Reason Meek born 1822 - Kit #42870

William Meek born 1791.
          Son: James A. Meek born 1816 Marshall Co., TN - Kit #131778

Thomas Meek born 1745 Ireland
          Son: James Meek went to Canada - Kit #28000

William Meek born 1843 Ireland
          Son: William Meek remained in Ireland - Kit #45520

These seven members have an unknown connection to each other. Mel's Adam Meek is believed to have come from Ireland. Fred's Thomas Meek was born in Ireland as was Alan's William Meek. Alan's family lives in England and came from Ireland.

Sub-group 2

John Alexander Meek born 1686 Ireland
          Son: John Meek born 1790 in Laurens Co., SC - Kit #112162

Moses Meek born 1755 Ireland
          Son: Josiah Meek born in Mecklenburg, NC - Kit #54094, Kit #63410 and kit #63411
          Son: Moses Meek born 1793 - Kit #85262

Charlie and Christopher descend from separate sons of Josiah Meek. Bruce may descend from the son Moses however there are issues about this connection.

William Meek born 1825 in County Down, Ireland.
          Son: Matthew Meek born about 1849. He died in Scotland. - Kit #96541

James' ancestor John Alexander Meek is the newest additions to this sub-group and represents a significant family that migrated along a southerly route to Arkansas. His match with the descendants of Moses Meek and the ancestors of sub-group1 ties several early Meek families together.

John's ancestor and his descendants lived in Ireland and Scotland. This is supporting information that Moses Meek born 1755 came from Ireland. John's family likely descends from a different branch of the common ancestor from which Moses came.

Kit #67321 - Information is not available about the ancestors of this member.

This sub-group has a distinctive haplotype with DYS 390=12 and CDY deviating from the group modal of 37, 41

Group E Summary

Group is unique because with few exceptions this group has proven ties to a European country, namely Ireland and England. This group is tied to three Revolutionary War ancestors that were not previously known to have a genealogical connection. While there are few connecting paper trails between members there is great potential for this group to eventually find a connection to the common ancestor.

As noted this group was sub-divided because the descendants of Moses Meek and John Alexander Meek had a slightly different genetic signature than sub-group 1. A new member who does not appears to be a descendant of Moses is showing the same signature. This member’s family lived in Ireland and Scotland. It is assumed the common ancestor pre-dates Moses Meek and ties both families to Ireland.

There appear to be two subgroups distinguished by the following:

1. Sub-group 1 has DYS391=11 which is the R1b1 modal value.
2. Sub-group 1 has CDY=37, 41. This is consistent for all lines.
3. Sub-group 1 has 1, 2, or 3 mutations from the family modal values.

1. Sub-group 2 has DYS391=12
2. Sub-group 2 has CDY=37, 40, although 1 line deviated to 38, 39
3. Sub-group 2 has 0 or 1 mutations from the family modal values with one exception on CDY which could represent one event.

Characteristics 1: DYS391 is not a fast moving marker but a mutation within families is not uncommon. DYS391=12 is the strongest indicator of a split between the two groups.

Characteristics 2: CDY is a fast moving marker and mutations are expected.

Characteristics 3: This is a fine distinction which may not hold up as additional people are tested.

Sub-group 1 represents 6 or 7 family branches. Sub-group 2 represents 3 family branches. In all but one line we do not have multiple test to establish branch modal values or determine when mutations occurred. This severely limits the analysis. The ancestor Robert Meek is placed in sub-group 1. Michael’s results have 2 of the three characteristics of sub-group 1. If he were in sub-group 2 he would have only 1 of the three characteristic. Michael’s 4 mutations from the Group E modal values are significant. CDYb=41 is so far very consistent with group 1. There are more branches in sub-group 1. There is no reliable genealogical evidence to contradict this assessment.

This assessment could change when additional tests become available.

There is another possibility. Robert Meek could represent a branch of the family in between the two sub-groups. DYS391=12 may be the family modal before CDY=37, 40. However, it is to early to make that assessment.