DNA Testing and Mx Genealogy:
The Molyneax Surname Project.
By Steve Mullinax,
US 312
About sixty Mx men, including many IMFA members have had their DNA tested,
to apply Y-chromosome results to their study of Mx genealogy. According to researcher
Chris Pomery, “DNA testing is proving an effective tool to corroborate the integrity
of documented family trees for the simple reason that the DNA [Y-chromosome]
signature of each male descendant is passed down from father to son in a manner
that exactly mimics the transmission of the surname from one generation to the next.”¹
Your DNA test results cannot, without a paper trail, tell you who your gx-grandfather
was. How can it help with your genealogy?
IMFA has a Molyneaux “surname project”. According to Genetic Genealogist Blaine
T. Bettinger, Ph.D.²:
A DNA project is a collaborative effort to answer genealogical
questions using the results of DNA testing. A surname project brings together individuals
with the same (or very similar) surname, … DNA projects are run by Administrators
who are responsible for organizing results, sharing information, and recruiting
new members to the group. DNA projects can potentially provide a number of benefits
to participants, including the following: [I’ve selected the ones below because
they seem to me the ones most relevant to IMFA. SM]
- Confirm or reject suggested relationships between individuals in the project;
- Identify previously unknown relationships between individuals in the project;
- Confirm or reject the relationship of particular surname lines or surname variants
(for example, do the Molyneux and Mulno surnames have a common source?);
- Identify or learn more about the surname’s country of origin;
- Learn more about the ancient ancestry of a surname and its variants;
- Learn more about the migration of the surname over time;
- Join a community of exciting genetic genealogists.
Here is an example of the DNA test results identifying a previously unknown relationship.
Sharon Bryant, who organized and administered the surname project prior to her death
in 2008, reported in December, 2005:
The exciting news is that we had a 37/37 match between one of our English participants
and a descendant of Greenbury (IN>MO>IA). This match, which means that all 37 markers
tested for each of them are identical, indicate a definite connection between an
English Molyneux family and the Mullinnix family here in America.
According to the testing company, Family Tree DNA, a 37 of 37-marker match indicates
a 95% probability of the Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) being no further back
than seven generations, so the DNA test is pretty solid evidence of a recent ancestral
connection. But there is still work to be done, as Sharon wrote, “Now the trick
is to find the paper records that cement the relationship and to determine actually
what the relationship is.” Knowing from the DNA that there is a recent male ancestor
connecting these two families is useful, in that it tells us that conventional research
may bear fruit. It points us in the right direction, but it does not answer the
more specific question of who the common ancestor is. (I don’t know whether these
two researchers connected their paper trails.)
Status and plans for the Molyneaux Surname Project.
Three IMFA members are now collaborating to reorganize and administer the project: Jim Molineux (US
329), Wayne Straight (US332) and myself, Steve Mullinax (US 312).
Based on interest among participants, we will initiate a project to:
- Corroborate and/or find errors in documented family trees. Researchers may use any
errors discovered to correct or find additional documentation for the relationships.
- Identify documented family trees that share genetic signatures but for which no
documented connection has yet been established. Researchers may then choose to pursue
documentation of the connection.
- Reconsider documentary research efforts on lines which have no genetic connection.
- Suggest which family lines would benefit from added genetic testing, to corroborate
or refute documented connections.
How can you help with the project?
If you have been tested, it is very important that you post your pedigree. We will
ensure that pedigrees that have already been posted are available through the new
tools. If you have not posted yours, please do so when the updated facility is available.
We are collecting input through and open discussion in a new online forum. We will
keep you informed via email on how to log in to this forum. We would appreciate
hearing from you about any of the following, or about anything else you want to
bring up.
- What information regarding the surname project would you like to see available online?
What are your suggestions about the best way to present this information.
- Give us any feedback you have about how the available online tools have helped or
hindered your study. How could these tools be improved?
- Give us any conclusions they were able to reach using test results. We expect the
revitalized surname project to be of great benefit. It will provide researchers
a platform to collaborate with others on the project to discover new relationships,
help consolidate fragmented trees and guide conventional research.
We look forward to working with IMFA members and other Mx researchers.
------------ 1. Pomery, Chris, Family History in the Genes, 2007, The National
Archives, Kew. UK ISBN 978-1905615124.
2. Bettinger, Blaine T., PhD., “I Have the Results of My Genetic Genealogy Test,
Now What”, p. 12. Retrieved from
The Genetic Genealogist, 12 August 2010.