Robert Chisholm Project Administrator Bob Chisholm, Audrey Barney, Alice Fairhurst Co Administrators. May 2008

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1 Robert Chisholm Project Administrator Bob Chisholm, Audrey Barney, Alice Fairhurst Co Administrators May 2008 Project membership: Total number = 61 members, (8 mtdna, 53 y-dna) Y-dna project: Total =53members By country: Australia=3 Canada=4 New Zealand = 2 United Kingdom=12 USA= 32 mt-dna project: Total = 7 members By country: Canada=1 New Zealand = 1 USA= 5 Names included in project: Chisholm, Chisolm Chisum, Chism,Chisam, Other names, welcome to join: Chisholme,Chisom.Chisham, Cheesam,Cheasm,Cheesome, Chesham, Chisett This report will focus on the Y-dna project, as the Y-dna follows the various lines of the Chisholms. Sample size: Data from this report taken from 46 participants who have had full or partial results returned. Results by Haplogroup: (haplogroup is the name given to branches within the Genetic family tree, and uses a numbering system using a capital letter followed by subdivisions of numbers and smaller letters. Nomenclature is for new Phylogenetic Tree by FTDNA May 08. I1 (Central-East European) = 1 I1 (Anglo-Saxon or Viking) = 2 Not genetically related within the Chisholm surname era I1 (Norse Viking) = 17 note 1 I2a (Europe Eastern) = 1 I2a2 (Sardinia) = 2 note 2 J2 = 4 (USA) note 3 R1b = 8 note 4 R1b (Pict ) = 3 R1b (Southern Britain) = 3 R1b (Virginia) = 4 R1a (Viking) =1 The genetic relationships discussed in the report are purely based the direct male line relation- 1

2 Chart 1 Chisholm results by Haplogroup. These three broad Haplogroup classifications contain many families who are unrelated on the male line within the Chisholm surname era. ships. Clansfolk may be genetically related via maternal lines, this does not show up in Y-DNA testing. Note 1: All of this group are genetically related within the Chisholm era Note 2: Genetically related, but no known connection dated to Strathglass 1800 Note 3: Brothers and first cousins Note 4: 8 individuals,not genetically related within the Chisholm time era, except for a set of brothers. Haplogroup I dates to 23,000 years ago or longer. Lineages not in branches I1, I12a or I2b are found distributed at low frequency throughout Europe. I 1a results have been found in 20 of the Chisholm participants, and 3 have returned 12a results I1: The I1 lineage likely has its roots in northern France. Today it is found most frequently within Viking / Scandinavian populations in northwest Europe and has since spread down into Central and Eastern Europe, where it is found at low frequencies. A large proportion of Chisholms have returned this result,(38%) and there is a significant variation in the results, indicating that there are many generations between common ancestors for the participants within this group. 17 of the participants with the I1 result, have a common direct paternal ancestor, within the era of the Chisholms. The particular variety of I1 found in Chisholms has been identified by Dr Ken Nordvedt as Norse. It has been found in participants with document Highland heritage, as well as Border Heritage. Three other I1 results have been returned, these are unrelated to each other and to the large I1 cluster. These single I1 results are believed to be Anglo-Saxon. 12a: Uncommon in Scotland, ancestral location of participant unknown. This Haplotype is more common in Eastern Europe and in Ashkenaz populations. The Balkan countries likely harbored this subgroup of I during the Last Glacial Maximum. Today, this branch is found distributed in the Balkans and Eastern Europe, and extends further east with Slavic-speaking populations. I2a2: A rare haplotype in Britain, and within the Scottish Highlands it may be unique to Strathglass. Its appearance in Britain is not part of the general trend of population movement. Haplogroup I2a2 is very common in Sardinia and was likely among the first humans to populate the island about 9000 years ago. It is also found in the western Mediterranean and western Europe at lower frequencies. Unlike I2a, I2a2 is not present east of the Adriatic Sea. J2: Typically found in the northern parts of the fertile Crescent, with some movements to western Europe via medieval trade. Ancestral origin of participants within Britain unknown.(the participants are brothers/cousins). Interestingly, the J2 group forms a significant minority cluster 2

3 within the Scott DNA project, neighbours to the Border Chisholmes in ancestral times. R1a: Originally from the Eurasian Steppes, but when found in people of British descent, it is generally a sign of the Vikings of Norway. R1b: This group is the most commonly found in western Europe, and is thought of, in general terms, as the native population of pre Roman Britain. However, this haplogroup was also present amongst the Anglo -Saxon immigrants, and no doubt amongst some Norman immigrants. The R1b group is subject to a lot of academic research, including studies from Oxford University, and Kevin Campbell at MIT in America. Being the most prolific group within western Europe, and forming the majority of participants in the Y-DNA testing programme, it has been divided into the most number of sub-groups. A basic classification based on ancestral geographic location has been done by Oxford University, and classification numbers have been assigned, these come with the OGAP prefix. (Oxford Genetic Atlas project) OGAP 3= 1 member. OGAP 3 is found heavily in Southern England, but has a light sprinkling in the Northern Isles. OGAP 4 = Pictish, 3 members, related within the Chisholm era.(eka Glen Strathfarrar) OGAP 7= 3 members ( EKA Glen Urquhart, Corrimony & Breakachy) 1 member is close to OGAPs 27,31,44 which is predominant in the Northern Isles. One R1b Chisholm with a Skye ancestry is vey close to what is called the West Atlantic Modal Haplotype. This is the most common DNA signature in West Europes most common haplogroup.over the 10,ooo years ago, this participants Ice age ancestor emerged from Pyreneean cave and set in chain a population explosion which sees his descendents account for more than 1% of the male population of Western Europe. An R1b group consisting of 4 members has been found in the southern states of the USA. This does fit into any OGAP classification, for the purposes of the Chisholm project, we have named it R1b Virginia. Another R1b member, evades classification by the Oxford population geneticists, but by comparison with ancestrally similar types, is thought to be Gaelic (EKA Glen Convinth) Chart 2 EKA of participants within Scotland. (EKA = earliest known ancestor) Many participants, primarily those from the USA, which received Chisholm immigrants the earliest, in times when record keeping was haphazard at best, do not have an EKA outside of America. The DNA project has provided several American participants so far, with a clue where their Chisholm ancestral home within Scotland may have been. Ian (Vermont), has a proven genetic connection to Robert s family which has an EKA at Balnabruich, just south of Comar. John (Florida) is genetically related to Sonny(NZ), and this family can be last placed at Deannie, half way up Glenstrathfarrar. A participant in Alabama, with an EKA only as far north as North Carolina, has found a distant match with the old chiefs line of the Grant Clan, highland neighbours of the Chisholms. As far as documentation to EKA goes, the project has adopted a strict scientific approach. There are occasions where many believe in good faith the names or locations of ancestors, but for the purposes of the study, only those with the standard genealogical documentation have been included. Clan Genealogists Bob Chisholm, Audrey Barney & Bill Pickering have contact with several of the DNA participants, endeavouring to clarify and extend their family trees via the traditional 3 genealogical methods.

4 Chart 3 Distinct Genetic families with Chisholm sur- Findings: The DNA project is only one and a half years old. With a great deal of support coming via the US Branch, the numbers within the project are sufficient to see trends emerging, but not yet great enough to draw conclusions. There have been 18 distinct paternal lines found in the 46 results which have thus far been received. As far as the Founder line of Chisholms goes, a mass of evidence is accumulating, and it is pointing to the I1 Viking Norse haplogroup as representing the Founder line. This is the only haplogroup to have documented links to both Highlands and Borders 38% of the participants have returned this result, indicating that this genetic family may have been using the Chisholm name for the longest time. The spread of difference between members in this group is 9 markers out of 67. This could be interpreted as being not related within the surname era. However in the cases of both extremes, the difference to the average or modal is only 4 or 5. This would further indicate that this particular variety of Haplotype has been in existence, with the Chisholm surname, for the longest possible time. This DNA type has left a genetic imprint south of the Scottish Border, consistent with the theory of a founder coming from England into Scotland There is some evidence, not enough to be conclusive, but sufficient to postulate an hypothesis, that those participants returning R1b results, are descended from clansmen within the Highlands. Comparisons made with charts produced by Oxford University for the Oxford Genetic Atlas project show that their ancestral origins prior to the era of Clan Chisholm are diverse and reflect the movement of peoples within the British Isles. A large group is identified as Pictish, another as British. One individual has been identified as Gaelic, and a pair as Northern Isles. Post Roman invaders and visitors to Britain can be accounted for in the Anglo Saxon and other I groups. The large I1 group is suspected of being from the Norse Viking group which invaded the French coast, morphed from Norseman to Norman, and in 1066, invaded England. The I2a2 participants have a documented Highland origin, and the interest for this group is to try and determine the length of time it has been present within the Chisholms, and from where it came. While the ancestral origins of the I2a and the J2 groups are known, it remains unclear as to how they came to be part of Chisholm. War and commerce loom as suspects. The R1a result indicates a lineage of Viking origin, most likely present in the Highlands before the arrival of the first Chisholm family. 4

5 Name spelling variations: It has been pleasing to see a good uptake from Chisholms whose American ancestors, or their census enumerators, may have developed variants in surname spelling. Chism is well represented in the project, and there are two examples of Chisolm. One Chisum has enrolled in the mitochondrial side of the project, and another, from Alabama, is in the Y- DNA project. A new signing is a Chisam descendent, and people with this spelling variation are believed to be descended from Hickory John, eldest son of Blind John Chisholm. We are still waiting to hear from a Chisholme, this spelling variation is closest to the original de Cheseholme, and may be indicative of a Border heritage. A variation of Chisett has popped up in Banffshire, in our quest to find the father of the Rev. George Chisholm of Ashmore. Ancestors most wanted list: All ancestors are wanted and needed to fulfill the aims of the DNA project. I have listed a few below who have some extra item of interest about them. Does one of these belong to YOU? Tylden Chisholm (Australia): your DNA will help solve the mystery in the Cathedral. Clan Chisholm Society has a lot of information on your illustrious ancestors, Reverend George Chisholm of Ashmore, and sons, the Rev Charles, Rev George of Hammersmith, and Doctor Robert,who is memorialized with Chisholm Arms in the Church of England s most significant cathedral at Canterbury. JS Chisum: Cow John, the Cattle King in Texas and New Mexico, officially left no sons, however, many people are proud to have him in their tree, from one of the sibling lines. A male descendent is needed to test, if you want to prove if his lineage goes back to the mysterious Richard Cheesome of Virgina. John D Chisholm : one of the most colourful characters of the immediate post revolutionary period. Among other schemes, he thought he and his band of Cherokees could capture Florida from Spain, and unsuccessfully tried to enlist the aid of Great Britain to help out. Much is known about John D since he arrived in Eastern Tennesse, and even more is known of some of his famous sons such as Jesse and Thomas.However little is known about who John D actually was and where he came from. Y- DNA tests will help open the door to the ancestral past of this absolutely famous character, some say infamous. Members of the Cherokee nation are most welcome to participate, your y-dna may reflect a Scottish ancestry ahead of your American ancestry. Robert Bruce Chisholm: of California, the descendents might help establish the DNA line of the famous Knockfin Chisholms, and from here, to the line of the ancient Clan chiefs. Adam Chisholm: Jacobite from the Borderlands, deported in Plenty of Americans claim him as an ancestor, and we think we have got his DNA signature worked out, but more samples are needed to prove it. Blind John Chisholm: Patriot. We have participation from 3 people believed to be descendents, and one or two more would be welcomed for verification purposes. Richard Cheesome: arguably the oldest Chisholm line outside of Scotland. If you believe he was your ancestor, you need to join the project. Scott-Chisholme: This line died out on the dawn of the 20th century, an ill-fated cavalry charge in the Boer war saw the end of Colonel John James Scott -Chisholme, the last of the Border chiefs. Did an uncle or great uncle leave some male descendents with this name? If your name is Chisholme, are you descended from one of the earlier Border Chieftains? Chisholm of Lietre, Chisholms of Knockfin, Chisholms of Struy. If you believe your Chisholm ancestor was a member of one of these cadet families from Strathglass, the DNA project is the place to help prove it. If you have the documentary evidence to connect you to one of these families, your participation will be helping other members of the Clan. 5

6 MTDNA project: As with most things to do with Chisholms, it was the women who led the way. It was Audrey Barney, NZ genealogist and historian, who prodded the NZ branch into action. When such action was undertaken, it was found that four American women had already set up the project and were just waiting for some men to join them. Alice Fairhurst a member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogists, was the administrator. She also runs a number of other projects, including her own Clans of McRae and Matheson, and is involved with McKenzie as well. Genealogy is somewhat interwoven, and it turns out she is also related to Sonny Chisholm, our second male tester, via his other side, the MacRaes. Sonny s result turned up many matches of varying degrees of closeness, and one of them was a McRae of Kintail. Students of Strathglass history will know that the MacRaes of Strathglass were branched from nearby Kintail. The first three Chisholm project members were Ann, Nancy, and Joni. Two other women soon joined them, Norma of Canada, and Anne of NZ. They all have Chisholm ancestry, but close kinship is not expected, as the mitochondrial DNA follows the direct female line, and this generally changes surnames with each generation. Three further Chisholm women have become members, Barbara, Michelle, and Irene. An interesting way to distinguish the various bloodlines is to follow the lead given by Professor Bryan Sykes of Oxford University, in his fascinating study of European DNA. He deduced that 95% of the population were descended from seven different women, and he named these women and called them the Seven Daughters of Eve. Both of the Anne's belong to the haplogroup H. This group is from Helena, who lived 20,000 years ago near the French Riviera, at a time when the last Ice Age was at its most severe. This group is the most common in Europe. Norma belongs to haplogroup J, for Jasmine. Jasmine lived at the end of the last ice age, on the banks of the upper Euphrates in modern day Syria. It was her ancestors who developed a more settled way of existence, and her descendants brought the idea of settlements and farming westward into Europe. Thank you Norma, and Jasmine. Michelle from Texas now joins the Jasmine group. Nancy s haplogroup is T, which is particularly numerous in the west of Britain, and Ireland. Tara herself however, was a native of Tuscany, and lived some 17,000 years ago, in the depths of the last ice age. Joni belongs to haplogroup U, for Ursula, born some 45,000 years ago, near Delphi, at the foot of Mt. Parnassus, in modern day Greece. Ursula s descendants are well represented in Western Britain, and Scandinavia. Barbara has tested for H, and can join both of the Annes on the French Riviera, if she takes a time capsule back 20,000 years. We are still awaiting the result for Irene. Why should YOU become part of the project? The database needs to be as wide as possible in order for valid conclusions to be drawn. You can help establish the bloodlines of the clan by enrolling in the project. In your ancestral past, the clan has succored and protected you, now it s time for you to give something back. You can find out who your distant ancestors were, and who you are genetically related to within the clan, and outside of the clan. Testing is not expensive relative to the detailed nature of the scientific work involved, this is your chance to be at the cutting edge of modern science. 37 marker tests cost $189, and 67 marker tests cost $269 (US dollars). A DNA test kit makes a wonderful gift, it is something which will literally last forever, the knowledge can be handed down the generations. As a member of the DNA project, you will be assisted by several of the volunteer genealogists who give their valuable time to try and map out all of the For further information, and any questions, contact: Robert Chisholm: nikaudesign@clear.net.nz or Bob Chisholm: bobchisholm@clansman.info Read the tutorials at FamilyTreeDNA.com, or DNAHeritage.com. Look at the DNA projects on other Clan websites, such as McLaren, Campbell, Bruce. Books available from libraries: The Seven Daughters of Eve, and Blood of the Isles (Bryan Sykes) Search for the Chisholm project at FamilyTreeDNA.com, or go direct to the joining page copying this link to your browser: As a member of the project you will be able to join other groups, depending on what your results show up. 6