BackgroundCree Family History is now at a crossroads in its development The surname Cree is now known to have several different origins, giving rise to different Cree "lines" with representatives in all parts of the English-speaking world. Research over many years, using such records as births, marriages and deaths and census returns, now gives us reasonably complete information for certain periods on where Crees lived and what their occupations and family relations were. We are well on the way to constructing complete family trees for the period 1770 to 1911 in the UK and 1770 to 1940 in the USA. However we still have many unanswered questions, especially relating to earlier periods, as fewer records are available. These questions are best tackled through Y-DNA testing. If a few males bearing the surname Cree from each line would agree to take a simple non-invasive test we could establish a baseline DNA pattern for each known Cree line. By comparing DNA profiles it would be then be possible to say which lines are related. Furthermore those people who do not know their family roots could be matched to existing lines. The Cree Surname Y-DNA ProjectThis project, led by experienced Cree researcher Gary Maher, has been running for some years now but with a relatively low participation rate. We are therefore launching a campaign to recruit more Cree males to the Cree Y-DNA testing programme. Taking a DNA test is very simple. All that is needed is a sample scraped gently from the inside of your cheek. A kit is used which includes full instructions and an envelope to send the sample to the testing laboratory. There's a page on the Family Tree DNA web site which explains very well how to use the kit. This page is called DNA Test Kit Instructions. It also includes a short video which I feel makes everything absolutely clear. The laboratory will then extract and analyse the yDNA from the sample to produce a profile used to match your DNA with others in their database. This is different to the tests used for medical or criminal investigation purposes. For genealogical testing yDNA is used. That is the DNA that is passed down unchanged from father to son, just like surnames normally are. The test should therefore be only be taken by people who are male and bear the surname Cree. Moreover, if a person's Cree surname was acquired in some way other than through the biological male line then the test will not normally match other Cree profiles. This can occur, for example, where a male-line ancestor is known to have been adopted and to have taken the name of their adoptive father, or where an ancestor for whatever reason took the name Cree in place of the surname of their biological father or changed their surname to Cree from another name. Genealogical DNA testing is now much less expensive than it was a few years ago. The tests are also more precise as more markers are tested and so matching can be more precise. I recognise that cost is still an issue for many people. If the test kit is obtained through the Cree yDNA Project a discount can be obtained. How to obtain the test kitBy joining the Cree Y-DNA Project at the same time as you buy the test kit, you will obtain a discounted price for the kit. (There is no charge for joining the Project.) 1. View the web site of the Cree Surname Y-DNA Project. 2. Click on the menu item Join Request on that page. 3. Click on the link under Option B that reads "Purchase a test to join this Project." 4. You will now see the page headed Join "The Cree Group Project." Scroll down until you can see kit Y-DNA37 which will cost US$149 (approx GB£93) and click the Order Now button. 5. You will then be taken through the ordering process for which you will need your credit card details. Family Tree DNA is a reputable company and I am confident that you can safely provide your card details. 6. We would appreciate that you let one of us know that you are taking the DNA test so that when the test results come through they can be allocated to the correct Cree line. Everyone can helpWhile this project's main aim is to test Cree males, others can support it in other ways. The results can be of equal interest to the relatives of those tested since they will share the same ancestry if they are descendants of a Cree. So you may be able to help in the following ways:
1. by encouraging a male Cree relative to take the DNA test, and If you have any ideas for fund-raising please contact us. More information and contactsThere is much more information on DNA testing for genealogy on the FTDNA web site. For example there are details about the test kits as mentioned above, while many of your questions will be answered on the Frequently Asked Questions page. If you have question specifically about the Cree DNA project please contact one of us:
Mike Spathaky
Gary Maher
Trevor Cree Our contact details are available on the Contact page of the Cree Surname web site: December 2012 |
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