Anthrogenealogy - Genealogy by Genetics - Let Your DNA Do the Walking

The computer gave us a huge leap forward in genealogical research. Finally we could replace searches through dusty record rooms, basements and cemeteries with strokes on a keyboard.

Now we have genealogy using DNA, a new field of family research called Anthrogenealogy. It is now possible with a few scrapes on the inside of our cheeks (and a few weeks of waiting + $) to determine for sure who we are related to. By contacting "matches" we can hopefully match up traditional paper trails and discover new branches on the family tree.

My brother and a 4th cousin that I discovered online both tested and were a match. Tests confirmed what our paper trails led us to believe. We are indeed related. Huge chunks of family history were added with this simple test and more is being discovered. While we always knew we Martins are special, (OK, OK everyone is special)we had no idea we are from a rare DNA pool. We have yet to understand the results, but if you are in doubt about which clan of Martins you belong to, I suggest a male relative with the Martin surname (or fathered by a Martin) be tested. We are related by marriage to Martins from the United Kingdom, but our ancestors are from Germany prior to 1588.

See earlier postings from my personal Facebook below. Send me a friend request to be in the Martin group for updates. Please contact me with your email if you think I do not already have it.

The surname Martin is the 15th most common in the US. Our line is from Germany where the surname does not even make the top 50 most common. Another hint of rarity came with DNA test results of an unusual C3 Haplogroup.

Martin Genealogy via DNA:
"The successful C3 lineage is believed to have originated in southeast or central Asia, spreading from there into northern Asia and the Americas. C3 is also found in low concentrations in eastern and central Europe, where it may represent evidence of the westward expansion of the Huns in the early middle ages..."

Our Martin DNA-matched male relative (Group 11 on the linked results chart) just received notice that we are from Hapgroup C3e SNP P53.1 (P53a). Other than confirming our lineage is very rare, we don't yet know what this means. I've found no published info on C3e. However, since our line is traced back to 1588 in the Hunsruck region of Germany, Atilla the Hun may still be in the running as our founding father. LOL