Sunday, July 8, 2007

My Lonely Y-DNA Strand

Blaine Bettinger at The Genetic Genealogist blog bemoaned the fate of his family Y-DNA line in The Lonely Surname post the other day - there are only 6 male line descendants from a 1793 ancestor.

That got to me to thinking about my own Seaver line, and how many male descendants of Robert Seaver (1608-1683) are available for Y-DNA testing. I think there are hundreds, if not thousands, American males with the Seaver surname who can trace a Robert Seaver descent for 12 to 15 generations.

However, in my specific line, I think we have tapped out. Here's why:

Generation #6, Benjamin Seaver (1757-1816) and Martha Whitney (1764-1832) had four sons, Job (unmarried), Benjamin (see #7), Silas (3 sons) and Isaac (2 sons).

Generation #7, Benjamin Seaver (1791-1825) and Abigail Gates (1797-1867) had two sons, Isaac (see #8) and Benjamin (died young). Isaac Seaver (1802-1870) married Benjamin's widow, Abigail (Gates) Seaver, and had two sons, Lyman (see #8) and Loring (unmarried).

Generation #8, Isaac Seaver (1823-1901) married Lucretia Smith (1828-1884) and had two sons, Frank (see #9) and Benjamin (had 1 daughter). Lyman Seaver married Ann Gordon and had one daughter.

Generation #9, Frank Seaver (1852-1922) married Hattie Hildreth (1857-1920) and had three sons, Fred (see #10), Harry (married, no children) and Howard (died young).

Generation #10, Fred Seaver (1876-1942) married Alma Richmond (1882-1962) and had two sons, Frederick (see #11) and Edward (see #11).

Generation #11, Frederick Seaver (1911-1983) married Betty Carringer (1919-2002) and had 3 sons - Randy (see #12), Stan (see #12) and Scott (see #12). Edward Seaver (1913-2004) married Janet Roukes (1913-2003) and had one son, Peter (see #12).

Generation #12, Randy Seaver had two daughters, Stan Seaver had one daughter, Scott Seaver had one daughter, and Peter Seaver had one son (died at age 25, unmarried).

Therefore, the Y-DNA strand has died out in my Seaver line with myself, my brothers and my cousin.

Tracing back through the generations, it is apparent that the only other male Seaver descendants of #6 Benjamin Seaver is through the Silas Seaver line. There are no male descendants of #7 Benjamin Seaver to carry the Y-DNA line!

This analysis really points out the vagaries of early parental death, infant and childhood mortality, the reduction in number of children due to societal pressures and birth control, and blind bad luck.

Thanks, Blaine, for the idea!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I understand completely. Seems my HODGES' yDNA line depends on My 19 year old cousin Eric and his new wife and my 9 year old Nephew James(I do not think he has discovered girls yet...except for pestering) but that is how this DNA stuff works...some get it and some don't...it does help if you have more than one or two kids seems the CHANCES for success improve with each kid. AT least your line had a nice provable run and you have it written down for your grandkids, they will enjoy that more than "whose ydna did you get" game anyway WE don't have to get their DNA to LOVE our grandparents...plus they got something of your DNA otherwise your daughters would not SAY "DAD they act just like you!" Genetics is funny so just remember they got your smile DNA and be happy.