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THE GIBBS SURNAME DNA PROJECT
About The Project

Our purpose . . .

The Gibbs Surname DNA Project was started in April of 2003 by a small group of amateur Gibbs genealogists with the goal of using newly available technology and the science of molecular biology to determine the genetic signatures of as many Gibbs family lines (haplotypes) as possible. As genealogists, we share a hope that hard science can bridge some of the gaps between our sundered lines and allow us to confidently link together the results of conventional research into expanded lineages.

George Gibbs was the first individual of that surname to be tested, and as such, he is the administrator of this project. He was tested using the 25-marker Y-DNA test, and recently was the first to expand his test to the 37-marker level. He also had his results refined to test for ancestral/anthropological origins (think in terms of thousands of years ago).

By August of 2003, 12 Gibbses had taken part in the project. At that time we had results from seven tests that represent six different Gibbs lines. Several early colonial lines from America and three well-researched lines from England had participated to that point.

By December of 2003, the number of project participants had grown to 17, with 12 different haplotypes represented. Two of these haplotypes include matches of two or more participants. The participants represent at least two, and possibly three, haplogroups (a haplogroup is a classification used to define ethnic or anthropological origins of modern population groups throughout the world). For a comparison of the participating haplotypes go to the Project Findings page.

The results thus far indicate that our Gibbs lines are more diverse than might have been expected. The goal of eventually tracing all of these lines back to a common ancestor, or even a common homeland is no longer a viable option. We have also learned that the proximity of two or more Gibbs families in a given locality is not always an indicator of close kinship.

How the web site serves the project . . .

This web site was established to provide a central repository and point of contact for collecting and sharing the status of the project and the findings that emerge from it over time. It also serves as a place where project participants may display and share the results of conventional research into their Gibbs haplotypes (see the Shared Research page). While much of the conventional material is well researched and includes sources wherever possible, we are also using the web site as a "scratch-pad" to illustrate hypothetical information as we try to digest the clues we glean from DNA and conventional research. Reader are cautioned to regard this hypothetical information as unconfirmed.

Although we would prefer to have all of our facts confirmed, by including hypothetical information in our web offering we gain the benefit of seeing the best educated guessing of the participants as they wrestling with the challenge of fitting known bits of information together. By opening up their thought processes to other researchers, the participants may help each other with their lines of inquiry. Non-participants are also invited and encouraged to glean from the information each participant submits, and to correspond with that person as the point of contact (POC) for anything they believe will be helpful.

Everything published on our web site is offered to the public free of charge and subject to the Terms and Conditions of Use established for the site.

How our genetic testing is done . . .

After looking into several companies that offer genetic testing services, a decision was made to use FamilyTreeDNA, Inc. of Houston, Texas to provide testing and analysis for our project participants. This highly qualified, and academically respected laboratory uses advanced technologies and the latest scientific methods to accomplish this work, and does so with total privacy and confidentiality. Dr. Michael Hammer, a highly respected geneticist from the University of Arizona, sits on the board of FamilyTreeDNA, and the company is staffed by highly qualified scientists and technicians from the field of genetics and related scientific disciplines.

About FamilyTreeDNA, Inc. . . .

In 1999, FamilyTreeDNA, Inc. began offering DNA testing services that are specifically driven by the needs of genealogists. This organization is dedicated to helping genealogists find lost relatives when the paper trail ends and the brick wall takes its place. FamilyTreeDNA offers its services to the general public for established prices, and at a significant discount to participants of affiliated family surname projects like ours. We believe that out of all the organizations currently offering such services, FamilyTreeDNA offers the best prices. To learn more about this company and its work go to the FamilyTreeDNA web site.

About the DNA testing for this project. . . .

Our project uses the non-recombinant Y-DNA from the male (or Y) chromosomes found only in the cells of men. It can prove, or disprove the relationship of two men to a common ancestor in their direct paternal line. A 12-marker test compares 12 base-pairs (or markers) from the Y-DNA, and is considered the world standard for establishing a male's basic genetic signature. A more comprehensive 25-marker test is also available which yields tighter parameters and refines the signature to make a more accurate projection of the time when two men shared a common forefather. A 37-marker test is now available to offer an even more definitive analysis for those who have one or more matches and wish to tighten the parameters of their haplotype. The Gibbs Surname DNA Project includes all three levels of testing, and participants may opt for testing at any level. We do, however, recommend the use of the 25-marker or 37-marker tests rather than the 12-marker test because the higher level tests provide a much clearer picture of a participant's haplotype.

Although the Gibbs Surname DNA Project is based on the Y-DNA signatures of men who share our surname, women can also participate by having a male blood-relative (of the Gibbs surname) test for them. For more details on joining the project go to How To Participate.