Welcome to the Grant DNA Project Homepage
This project started in May 2004, when ten of us decided that the new DNA approach to genealogy research might breakdown the proverbial brick wall that separated us from our earliest ancestors. Lost or destroyed records in many instances have caused many to give up their search for distant relatives for the lack of information. Since the project began, we have grown to about 250 participants and continues to grow. Through DNA kits, many of our participants have been fortunate in finding distant relatives or people whom there is a strong likelihood of sharing a common ancestor within specified number of generations.
It is the hope of the administrators and
contributors to this project that we will unlock the secrets of our
individual family lines that have evaded us for years.
Changes to Our Website
Recently, there have been a number of changes to the pages made available to the co-administrators of our project. Some of the information you have been accustom to seeing has changed. And, other changes have caused us to make revisions in how you find information. (more---->)
Our New Blog Site
Recently, a Blog site was added as a way for the co-administrators to expand their thoughts on topics of interest, observations from the test results, groupings, specialty tests, etc. To access the blog, click on the following link. At this time, you cannot reply with comments. This site is a work in progress, so you don't expect it to be robust at this time. Feel free to send an email to us with your comments.
Clan Grant - Canada Website
Penny Grant has created a website that is specific to the Grant Clan in Canada. If you are a Grant with a Canadian background, you may find this site useful to your search.
How It All Works
The project data is based on testing "alleles" from certain "loci" on the Y-Chromosome (called Y-STR values, for Short Tandem Repeats - a recurring pattern at that position). The Y-STR "count" at each position is displayed as a number. These allele numbers are rendered for anywhere from 12, to 25, 37, 67 and 111 different loci positions on the Y-Chromosome that have been determined to have very low mutation probabilities, meaning that these values will be passed on along a given biological line with relatively few if any mutations for thousands of years. (more---->)
The Septs
Over the years, many surnames have come to be associated with that of Grant. Such traditions have probably arisen from individual families with these names living in Grant territory during clan times. However it is clear that some (such as Cairns, Bisset, Suttie, etc.) are those of independent families in their own right from very early times. It must be made clear, therefore, that having such a name does NOT, by itself, imply any connection with the Clan Grant at all. (more---->)
Miscellaneous
You do not need to belong to any society to participate in the Grant DNA Project, though you may find that one or more of the societies of interest as you search for your Scottish heritage.
Below is a link to a website authored by Donald Cameron Grant Gill which includes a substantial section devoted to the Grant of Strathspey from William Grant 1733 to Cheeryble Grants and today: http://www.gillfamily.co.za
Contacts
Project Administrators: Allen Grant, Alastair Grant, and Jon Grant.