In molecular evolution, a haplogroup (from the Greek: απλούς, haploûs, "onefold, single, simple") is a group of similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor having the same single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP
) mutation in both haplotypes. Because a haplogroup consists of similar haplotypes, this is what makes it possible to predict a haplogroup from haplotypes. A SNP test confirms a haplogroup. Haplogroups are assigned letters of the alphabet, and refinements consist of additional number and letter combinations, for example R1b1. Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups
have different haplogroup designations. Haplogroups pertain to deep ancestral origins dating back thousands of years.
In human genetics, the haplogroups most commonly studied are Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) haplogroups and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA
) haplogroups, both of which can be used to define genetic populations. Y-DNA is passed solely along the patrilineal line, from father to son, while mtDNA is passed down the matrilineal line, from mother to offspring of both sexes. Neither recombines, and thus Y-DNA and mtDNA change only by chance mutation at each generation with no intermixture between parents' genetic material. -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haplogroup
So I sent off my kit fully expecting to be told my ancestors were from France
mainly and although there is SOME French. T2 is concentrated in Italy?.
Haplogroup T originated in the Middle East
some 45,000 years ago and entered Europe
about 10,000 years ago where today it has an overall frequency of about 9%. The clan was originally concentrated in northwestern Italy
, but is now numerous along the Mediterranean
and western shores of the continent and the west of Britain and Ireland.
The seven daughters of Eve
Tara (Gaelic for rocky hill) Clan
Tara lived in Tuscany about 17,000 years ago. At the time, Europe was in the grip of the last Ice Age
and the only parts of the continent where life was possible were the lands bordering the Mediterranean. Then, the Tuscan hills were a very different place. No vines grew; no Bougainvillaea decorated the hillside farms. Instead, they were thickly forested with pine and birch. The streams held small trout and crayfish, which helped Tara to raise her family and held the pangs of hunger at bay when the men folk failed to kill a deer or wild boar.
As the Ice Age loosened its grip, Tara's descendants moved round the coast into France and joined the great band of hunters following the big game across the tundra that then covered Northern Europe. Eventually, Tara's descendants walked across the dry land that was to become the English Channel
and moved right across to Ireland, from which Celtic kingdom the clan takes it name. Tara's clan includes a redheaded strain (So might this be where my red highlights come from? hmm) and her people of the Cro Magnon
age were associated with boating and marine fishing, with an interest in marine mammals. The Clan Tara of the 7 Eves includes most of the Royal Families of Europe, including the family of the current Queen of England.