Haplotypes for all participants are shown in Table 1, below, for all results which have been reported to date. In this table each line represents a single participant, his test kit #, his haplogroup and a series of numbers which together, define his haplotype. In very simple terms, a haplotype is the set of numbers and/or letters which result from the testing of the Y-chromosome or mitochondrial DNA and is sometimes called a "genetic signature." Since the Y-chromosome is passed from father to son with only occasional minor changes (mutations) the haplotypes for closely related males in the same line are virtually identical. The mutations that do occur are often useful in allowing us to define separate lines of descent from a common ancestor.

Note below the haplotypes of three cousins who are the descendants of Jacob Whitmore/Witmer (Haplogroup J). The haplotypes are identical.

Note also the haplotypes of seven cousins who are descendants of Thomas Wetmore/Whitmore (Haplogroup R1b). Here there are differences, marked in white on several of the "markers." Two of the cousins, 48438 and 61871, have identical haplotypes. The others vary on either one or two markers by a value of one. Each variation of one is defined as a "genetic distance" of one. Those that differ on only one marker are a genetic distance of one from the two identical haplotypes. Those that differ on two markers are a genetic distance of two from the two identical haplotypes.

Compare this to the two men in the Unassigned group. They differ on eight pairs, and many of these are a difference of two. This is a genetic distance of 12 on a total of 12 markers, not surprising, considering they are different haplogroups. This difference is sufficient to say that the two are not related. (Keep in mind that when we say "related" we are talking only of the male line of descent. The two men might be first cousins on their mother's side or half brothers by different fathers, but for purposes of Y-chromosome testing they are not related.) How much genetic distance can you have and still be related? That is a function of many things which will be discussed in individual cases.

Table 1 divides the haplotypes in the project by another category, haplogroups. Simply put, a haplogroup will have similar haplotypes that share a common ancestor with a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism, pronounced "snip") mutation. These SNP's are "named" by a combination of letters and numbers (M174, S22, etc.). A tree of Haplogroups, clades and subclades and their defining SNP's is shown on the "Y-DNA Haplogroup Tree 2006." A SNP test confirms a haplogroup. The haplogroups that have been confirmed by SNP testing are shown in green in the table. Those that have been estimated based on the haplotype are shown in red if estimated by FTDNA and in black if estimated by other means. Each of the major haplogroups is assigned a letter of the alphabet, and subgroupings (which can extend to several levels) within them have additional number and letter combinations.

Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups have different haplogroup designations. Since this project is tracking the Y-chromosome, or the male lineage, we always are referring to the Y-chromosome haplogroup designations on these web pages.

Haplogroups pertain to your deep ancestral origins dating back many thousands of years. Some of the more refined subgroups may date back as little as a thousand years. Family Tree DNA provided thumbnail summaries of the different haplogroups. See Charles Kerchner's "Haplotype (HT) vs. Haplogroup (HG)" for a fuller discussion. For those interested in "deep" ancestry, the ancient origins of the haplogroups, we also recommend the book Deep Ancestry Inside the Genographic Project, by Spencer Wells. This is a very accessible book written for a general audience.

Table 1 Project Haplotypes