Ad.4 - BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF CATEGORIES YOU WILL
FALL INTO
It seems
that I’m classified but I have no idea what it may mean. The question is – how to
interpret my category?
I will show few examples.
1. First example – kit of
one of my relatives.
He is put in category:
6. ...>Z282>Z280>CTS1211-B>YP1019-A-x (YP4969,YP4970 not
tested, Big Y needed)
What does it tell me?
- he is confirmed YP1019, so no
YP1019 is recommended.
- by being YP1019 he is also certainly CTS1211, Z280, Z282 etc.
- “-x” means that he is unclustered (not undoubtedly close and
fitting to any other member under YP1019 by his Y-STR results). –x1, -x2, -y
would mean that his belonging to YP1019 is
likely but still uncertain. Further testing would be necessary.
- his belonging to known sub-branches of YP1019 (YP4969 and YP4970) is possible
but they aren’t available for order as single SNPs yet. So, they aren’t either
tested or recommended.
TESTING POSSIBILITIES:
- only Big Y is available to refine
classification. It’s the best thing you can order, because it tests existing
SNPs and searches for new ones.
2. Second example – totally random kits
belonging to project members.
One of the numerous cases here – kits placed in some umbrella-category like:
4.
..>Z282>PF6155>M458>PF7521>CTS11962(?)>L1029(?) (67 STRs and
Big Y or R1a-Backbone SNP Pack needed)
What does it tell me?
- they are probably L1029 according
to innovations found in their Y-STR results
- by being L1029, they are also CTS11962, PF7521, M458, PF6155 etc.
TESTING POSSIBILITIES:
a) R1a-Backbone SNP Pack – this pack
tests dozens of SNPs under M458 (and L664, Z93 etc.) and it’s nice to refine
classification (although it tests only some of the known SNPs)
b) 67 Y-STR markers – it may be recommended
for those who did only 12 markers, to possibly get some matches of genealogical
relevance (although it’s complicated in fact). In my opinion, Y-STR markers in
bigger amount aren’t really useful in case of M458 and some certain other branches.
If you have done at least Y-37 and you are placed under those popular branches
under M458 – don’t bother yourself with ordering Y-67 (or more) unless you
really want to.
In most cases, it’s much better to order
an SNP Pack than additional Y-STR markers.
c) Big Y – as stated previously –
the best way to get an idea about your placement. You get very precise sub-branch,
your own SNPs. There is only one drawback – it’s expensive
Other examples of such umbrella-categories from our project:
Similar
case. Results are placed in category: 6.
...>Z282>Z280>CTS1211-x1 Unclustered (CTS1211 not tested, Big Y or
Z280 SNP pack needed) and 6.
...>Z282>Z280>CTS1211-y Unclustered (CTS1211 not tested, more STRs and
Big Y or Z280 SNP pack needed)
What does it tell me?
- results probably belong to CTS1211 branch according to their Y-STRs but it’s
not possible to guess their further placement under CTS1211. Some further
actions are needed.
TESTING POSSIBILITIES:
a) CTS1211 (or Z280) – order one of
those SNPs and if it comes positive – order Z280 SNP Pack
b) you may order Z280 SNP Pack
directly and as a result - got nice placement under CTS1211 for less.
NOTICE: It can be risky but the risk
often pays off. There is often a low possibility that
those results (which are not confirmed Z280) belong
to some really rare Z93 or Z284 sub-branches due to the homoplasy of Y-STR
markers. We certainly do our best to minimize such
risk but some cases are “hopeless”.
c) as always, Big Y is the best. In
such case (unlike in case of SNP Pack), it doesn’t matter if you in fact belong
to a different branch. Just pay and wait.
3. Third example – kits that are not classifiable and not clustering.
Results are placed in category: Z1.
Unassigned basic 37 STRs results [predicted or tested as M417+] (more STRs,
R1a-Backbone SNP Pack or Big Y needed) PLEASE CONTACT ADMIN . Probably many
of those people got discouraged by the lack of Y-STR matches, due to rarity of
their Y-STRs or inconclusive matches. It’s a nonsense, since Y-STRs are
sometimes unbelievably unstable and you may not match a person to which you are
related in the last 500-1000 years ! You still may find (and will find) some
related project members but you may have to spend on testing slightly more than
usual.
What does it tell me?
- you are surely predicted as positive to SNP called M417. Don’t be happy, most of R1a bearers (like
98-99%) are positive to it.
- you may belong to some relatively rare (or very rare) sub-branch
- you probably belong to a relatively common sub-branch but in your case, Y-37
isn’t enough to make prediction (some Z93, Z284 and Z280 branches are quite
close to each other at Y-37).
TESTING POSSIBILITIES:
a) Y-STR markers - That’s the case
when you actually may easily order more Y-STRs and it shouldn’t be a total
waste of money.
b) R1a-Backbone SNP Pack – the best
value-for-money ratio in this case. Highly helpful but you may need further
testing if you actually fall under Z280 or Z284.
c) Big Y – I won’t repeat myself. It
will solve all your problems but it’s costly. You may also give great
contribution in refining whole tree if you belong to a rare, early offshoot of
some branch.
4. Fourth example – kits that
are partially classifiable and not clustering.
Mostly placed under: Y. Unknown.
M417+ [L664- M458-, Z284- predicted] (Big Y or R1a-Backbone SNP pack needed) but also under other “Y. Unknown” categories
like Y. Unknown. M417+ [L664- Z284-
predicted] (Big Y or R1a-Backbone SNP pack needed) etc. Many of those
people are also discouraged by the lack of close matches but for the same
reason as before – it’s a nonsense.
What does it tell me?
- you are surely predicted as positive to SNP called M417. Don’t be happy, most of R1a bearers (like
98-99%) are positive to it.
- you are almost certainly not M458, Z284 and L664. But you may still be located under CTS4385,
Z283, Z282, Y2395, PF6155, Z280, Z93 etc.etc. Do I have to state all of the
possibilities?
- you may belong to some relatively rare (or very rare) sub-branch
TESTING POSSIBILITIES:
a) Y-STR markers – NOT RECOMMENDED, ALREADY USELESS
b) R1a-Backbone SNP Pack – the best
value-for-money ratio in this case. Highly helpful but you may need further
testing if you actually fall under Z280 or some other branches.
c) Big Y – It will solve all your
problems but it’s costly. You may also give great contribution in refining whole
tree if you belong to a rare, early offshoot of some branch.
4. Fifth example – kits that are not classifiable but
clustering.
Placed in categories “Yx” (where “x” is a number. For instance: Y1. Irish cluster Y1, Z280-, predicted
M417+ L664- M458- Z284- (Big Y or R1a-Backbone SNP pack needed).That’s a
rare situation, where project members make cluster but neglect further testing.
So, here we go again.
What does it tell me?
- member of a cluster tested Z280 but it went negative
- you are surely predicted as positive to SNP called M417. Don’t be happy, most of R1a bearers (like
98-99%) are positive to it.
- you are almost certainly not M458, Z284 and L664. But you may still be located under CTS4385,
Z283, Z282, Y2395, PF6155, Z280, Z93 etc.etc. Do I have to state all of the
possibilities?
- you may belong to some relatively rare (or very rare) sub-branch
TESTING POSSIBILITIES:
a) Y-STR markers – NOT RECOMMENDED, ALREADY
USELESS
b) R1a-Backbone SNP Pack – the best
value-for-money ratio in this case. Highly helpful but you may need further
testing if you actually fall under Z93 or some other branches.
c) Big Y – It will solve all your
problems but it’s costly. You may also give great contribution in refining whole
tree if you belong to a rare, early offshoot of some branch.
