Barton DNA Project

About DNA

Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes.  The first 22 pairs are known as autosomes and the last pair are sex chromosomes.   Gender is determined by the combination of sex chromosomes.  An egg contains 22 autosomal chromosomes and an "X" chromosome.  A spermatid has 22 autosomal chromsosomes and either an "X" or "Y" chromosome.  A fertilized egg with an "XX" combination will usually develop into a female; an egg with "XY" will generally become a male.  

The autosomes  contain genetic information from both the father and the mother. Autosomes can rearrange and frequently mutate.  Thus, they change from generation to generation.  The "Y" chromosome has a portion that remains relatively constant and mutates at a slow rate.  The "Y' chromosome is passed from father to son largely intact.  Therefore it can be used as a marker for distinct patriarchal lines.  

In addition to chromosomes, there is DNA in cellular structures called mitochondria.  This mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother.  It changes at a rate more frequent than the "Y" chromosome, but it is still useful for identifying maternal lineage.  The Barton DNA project is not currently doing mitochondrial DNA studies, but may do so in the future.

Purpose of the Barton DNA Project:

The Barton DNA Project at present is merely the first step in beginning to understand how Bartons everywhere are related.  We would like to know how many distinct Barton lines we can identify.  

Limitations of the Project

Because the "Y" chromosome profile ought to be the same for father, son, brother, cousin and uncle.  It can not distinguish between them.   Therefore the DNA project can not determine whether someone is someone else's father.  Other types of DNA testing can determine paternity, but it requires testing of the two individuals under consideration and this obviously can not be done if the individuals in question are long dead. The Barton DNA Project is not meant to test paternity but can determine "Clan" membership or individuals with a common paternal ancestor.

If two individuals are determined to have a the same profile, it only means that they share a common paternal ancestor.  We can not determine whether this is a recent relationship or a more distant relationship.   In other words, we do not know whether they are father, son, brother, uncle or 16th cousin.  We have only determined that with a high degree of certainly, that they have a common paternal ancestor.  

If two individuals do not have the same profile, it does not mean that they are not related.  Half brothers are certainly brothers, but since they may not have the same father, they may have different profiles.  Adopted children will similarly have different profiles.  Maternal relationships are not determined by this study.

Project Discussion

The DNA information is to be used in conjunction with historical research.  DNA results do not prove anything generally speaking, but may be helpful in guiding research.  If a profile does not match, obviously a hypothesized relationship may be incorrect.  At other times it may merely point to an unknown adoption in the family and may also uncover evidence of an illicit liaison which has resulted in a so-called nonpaternal event.

We believe that surnames arose in Europe around the twelfth century to aid in identification largely for legal purposes. The Barton surname dates back to that time.   Historically we understand that there were individuals with the surname Barton.  They obtained this surname generally from father to child.  Women obtained the surname by birth and by marriage.  There are several instances where males married a Barton female and took on the Barton surname and inherited their father-in-law's estates. There are sons that were adopted.  There are also instances of unwed mothers whose children took on the mother's surname and their fathers are unknown. Of course, there were  instances where the reputed father was not the father. In addition, some Bartons are known to have shortened their surname from Bartholomew or Bartholomei to Barton.

In these initial phases of the Barton DNA Project we have determined a number of distinct  genetic groups of Bartons,  At a future time we hope to correlate these types with the number of Bartons represented in each of these groups at different time periods.  We also hope that the DNA in combination with historical research may pinpoint the DNA profile of certain historic Barton patriarchs and aid in tracking and understanding the migrations of their families.  To determine the profile of someone that is dead requires agreement of results across many collateral lines, so that the likelihood is high the the common ancestor must also have had that profile.

In the meantime we are pleased that the study has brought evidence of "Clan" kinship and has been able to steer the direction of family history research.

In the future Maternal DNA studies may result in more specific identification  There will be cases where a paternal line and a maternal line will intersect and identify a fairly unique family.  This is more difficult research because females lines are not as easy to track as male lines that maintain a common surname, but it can yield more specific information.