shetlandislandsY-DNA

SHETLAND ISLANDS
DNA - GENEALOGY PROJECT

The goal of this project is to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Shetland Islands by discovering the paternal Y Chromosome DNA signatures associated with each of the Scottish, Norse Viking, and other surnames that have been associated with the region since the 19th Century or earlier; and discover the mitochondrial DNA patterns linked to the maternal lineages of the Islands back through the earliest days of settlement. A second objective is to use both the DNA and genealogical evidence to help Shetlanders find answers to questions about their ancestry such as whether all Hughsons are related; and if so, who was their most recent common ancestor, and when and where did this person live? Thirdly, it is hoped that the data emerging from the present inquiry will shed light on the apparent migration of people from Central Asia to Scanadnavia and ultimately Shetland prior to the Viking era; and also provide evidence as to whether the native Pictish people survived the Viking "settlement" in the 9th Century.

Descendants of Laurence MATHEWSON and
Ursula HENDERSON, married 1718, Mid Yell.
From Notebook of Andrew D. Mathewson circa 1830. Earlier generations recorded in the Laurence Williamson Papers circa 1900.

Haplogroup R1a
Locus DYS#   Alleles
1         393        13
2         390        25
3         19*        15
4         391        11
5         385a      11
6         385b      14
7         426        12
8         388        12
9         439        10
10       389-1     14
11       392        11
12       389-2     33

Goals and Objectives

An Example

GENEALOGY

Plus DNA

Y - CHROMOSOME DATA

12 of 37 Y-DNA Markers for two WILLIAMSONs, one known and one suspected descendant of Laurence MATHEWSON. DNA match supports findings from other data sources.

Conclusions: The ancestors of Lawrence Mathewson of Aywick and Utrabister, Mid Yell, son of Matthew Thomason and grandson of Thomas Mathewson (of Copister, South Yell, d. 1687), were likely Norse Vikings (suggested by R1a grouping) who settled in Shetland circa 800 AD. Due to patronymics, the surnames of his surviving descendants in the male line today are either Mathewson or Williamson. The DNA signature is very rare. In worldwide DNA databases, the largest number of close matches is with the Altai people of Central Asia. The only exact matches in about 100,000 samples are found in Nepal, and Western Norway, as well as Shetland including the large family with the surname Blance from Delting, whose relationship has not yet been ascertained via genealogical record sources.