yDNA Results Page for O'Shea yDNA Surname Project at the Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) website. [updated June 2009]

O'Shea yDNA Groupings(Excel Spreadsheet) [updated June 2009]Spreadsheet showing results with groups coloured and mutations in white

O'Shea yDNA Groupings(Excel Spreadsheet) [updated June 2009]Spreadsheet showing results with groups in white and mutations in colour.

In the spreadsheets above, yDNA results are identified by haplogroup (e.g. R1b1b2). Since R1b1b2 is the haplogroup of the majority of members of the O'Shea yDNA Project, it is further subdivided, into groups, to help identify distinct clusters within the haplogroup. Results are analysed at 37 markers but it is acknowledged that not all members have done 37 and others have tested more than this.

Modal haplotypes are given for all groups and markers which show mutations from the group modal are coloured to indicate this. Genetic distance of individuals from the group modal are also indicated.

Note each of the R1b1b2 groups contains Irish born participants who are certain of their immediate ancestry. yDNA results for these members are intended to be benchmarks for O'Sheas who may not know their ancestor's origins.

If you would like toget involved or find out more, please contact one of the following co-administrators of the O'Shea yDNA Project:

Margaret (O'Shea) Jordan
Brian O'Shea
James O'Shea

We welcome enquiries regarding the project and look forward to continuing to increase participation.

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The O'Shea Surname yDNA Project at Family Tree DNA, has been going on since early 2003. By May 2009, we have over 80 participants. While most of them are from far-flung places, several members are living in Ireland. We had a generous financial contribution in 2007, which helped us sponsor some kits for Irish-based O'Sheas. Some of these results can be treated as "benchmarks" for yDNA for O'Sheas in areas in Kerry and the other counties associated with O'Sheas, where Sheas and Shees lived in the past. We need more Irish-based O'Sheas who know their O'Shea family history to help the O'Shea diaspora to re-connect with their Irish roots. Irish-based O'Sheas can also re-connect with relatives who emigrated in hard times. So, in 2009, we want to encourage Irish-based O'Sheas to do the simple mouth swab and help us progress the project.

Here is a link to the ISOGG Glossary of Genetic Terms: Glossary of Genetic Terms

Maybe, you saw the tv program The Blood of the Irish on RTE, Irish tv in January 2009?

Here is an interesting website at: Eupedia. It gives useful information on haplogroups.

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When that paper trail fizzles out or hit a brick wall, what can you do?

DNA is now becoming more significant in genealogical research. While the paper work is still a vital part of the research, another tool is DNA. There is an O'Shea yDNA Surname Project underway.

All O'Shea [and variant surnames] men [as only men have yDNA] are welcome to represent their O'Shea family and join the O'Shea yDNA Surname Project. This project hopes to help people with their genealogical research and to establish the history of the O'Shea Clan. We may be able to find to which branch each of us is closest e.g. Dingle, Iveragh, Kilkenny, Cork, Tipperary etc. with enough participants in this project. The testing company used for the project is: Family Tree DNA, based in Texas, USA.

The O'Shea yDNA Surname Project suggests doing the 37 marker test as a minimum. Upgrades to 67 markers can be done if a close match is found and it is suspected that there is a very short time to a common ancestor.

Note our yDNA Groupings Chart (above) now include some results of people who tested with a company other than FTDNA. We would like to hear from others who may have tested with companies other than FTDNA. We can include you on our own results charts

See O'Shea yDNA Surname Project for details. The order form is available online and you can order the kit, do the simple mouth swab at home and then mail it back, pay the fee and wait for the results to be emailed to you a few weeks later. Here is a link to a good description of how the swap is taken. DNA Collection Method

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Family Tree DNA Analysis of yDNA Results
An analysis of 25 marker matches is provided by FTDNA: 25 Marker Match Analysis
An analysis of 37 marker matches is provided by FTDNA: 37 Marker Match Analysis
An analysis of 67 marker matches is provided by FTDNA: 67 Marker Match Analysis
A tutorial on understanding the results is at Tutorial on Understanding the yDNA results from FTDNA

The yDNA results can be compared to others atYSearch. YSearch is very useful, so make sure you upload your results to it to compare results with others. This is particularly interesting to see how your results compare with people in your yDNA Project and others who are not in your own project or who are using a different testing company.

Sources for Information on DNA

The Clans of Ireland at Clans of Ireland website lists many of the DNA research papers relating to Ireland.

Sites dealing with genetic genealogy include:
FTDNA DNA Forum which is the Family Tree DNA Forum.
Kerchner's DNA Resource Page is very informative.
Genealogy DNA Forum
The International Society of Genetic Genealogy where there is a message group and some resources.
Irish-DNA An Irish DNA Message Board
Genealogy-DNA, a searchable list of messages dealing with DNA

There is a global Genetic Genealogy Project being carried out by National Geographic, see The Genographic Project for details. You can upload your Family tree yDNA results to this Global Project or vice versa.

In Ireland, most of the research into patrilineal DNA (y-chromosome DNA) is being carried out at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. Trinity's research website is: Trinity College Genetics , this is where the titles and authors of the papers are listed. Also some of the data used is available there. However, to read the actual papers, you have to look further.