There are over 3 billion markers in a human genome. The markers used to determine paternal lineage found in the yDNA sex chromosome, are those letters or numbers across the top of the chart which are the “names” of those particular markers.

In the diagram of the double helix, the rungs of the ladder hold the key to the number of those markers. The composition of that ladder is a sugar phosphate that supports the rungs, but the rungs are composed of 4 protein amino acids shown by letters A – T and C – G, that work together in base pairs.

Each rung is divided into segments from 0 to 40. The number of those segments is the
number of times those base pairs are repeated on that rung. The horizontal rows of numbers on our chart are the results of each EAVES male that has taken the yDNA test. When those numbers match, it shows a genetic relationship. If they vary by 1 point, that point is referred to as a “genetic distance” (GD). The following is the rule-of-thumb for acceptable number of GDs for related persons:

12 marker level – 1 GD
25 marker level – 2 GDs
37 marker level – 4 GDs
67 marker level – 7 GDs

Markers shown in red are unstable and not unusual to show more than 1 GD. They can also increase or decrease within generations. The black markers are stable and rarely show more than 1 GD. The automatic computer generated GD counter used by FamilyTreeDNA treat both black and red markers the same. So if there is an unusual variance of more than 2 GDs, it can show that there is no relation. This happened once in our I2b1 group when one result had 5 GDs on a red marker, in the section between the 25 and 37 marker levels, where there are so many red markers. The person increased his markers to the 67 marker level, and it again showed that he was related to others in that lineage. Another anomaly is when a marker (or ladder rung) is blank and show (0) zero segments. We have such a case in our E1b1b1 group.

The “haplotypes” shown on the chart are E1b1b1, I1, I2b1 and R1b1. These are designators showing where in the world that lineage originated, linking anthropology to genealogy.  Recently, on the FTDNA charts, they show the mutation “name” instead of the “haplotype” origin. To avoid confusion, we show both in our www.eavesfamily.org chart.

Mutations are not the same as “genetic distances.” A genetic distance is the number of
repeats of the same amino acid segment on a ladder rung. A “mutation” is a change in the order of those amino acids in a segment. The “mutation” is what sets haplotypes apart.

ALL RESULTS NEED TO BE FOLLOWED UP BY TRADITIONAL RESEARCH.  Genetic
testing will NOT determine one’s direct ancestors. It will determine which lineage one is related to, which has been of great value to our EAVES association.

LoisEaves@live.com (Lois Eaves) – Eaves project DNA administrator
jf5635@hotmail.com (John O. Eaves) – Eaves project DNA co-administrator

People start arriving Friday night and spend time seeing who else is there and getting your name tag and learning your way around the hotel and where to find everything. The name tags are colored depending on your Eaves lineage as follows:

Graves – true blue
Semitics – sunny yellow
Patrick/Buckner – spring green
R1b1 Haplogroup lines – wild rose
Unknown – white
Adoptees – Color of adoptive EAVES line – with colored dots added.

Saturday morning is what you don’t want to miss. Immediately after breakfast is the general meeting usually around 9am. There’s a short business meeting (letting everybody know what’s going on), then each person introduces himself/herself and their Eaves connection. This is followed by a special recognition of all veterans.  After that, there is a photo op of the entire group followed by each group (depending on color of name tag) and one of the veterans. After this everyone breaks for lunch; after lunch we have the option of whatever we want to do. Most come back to the hotel (if they left to eat somewhere else) and talk to all their genetic relatives, share records, pictures, etc. Usually there is a large genealogy display of some kind. The member that is hosting the reunion this year has made large graphs showing the Eaves lineage of all who have had their DNA test done. This always brings a lot of interest.

Also there is a “silent auction” table where we buy the donations that members bring (like homemade canned goodies). The proceeds go to our growing Eaves Scholarship Fund.  Always fun to look at the stuff on the table. Food items & handmade items usually are the first to go, then art work, hand knits etc. Larger items (like quilts) are purchased through raffle tickets.

For Saturday evening a reservation is made for the group at some large restaurant (you will be asked to sign up if you intend to go). After dinner we return to the hotel meeting room to continue our visiting and sharing. Sometimes there is an added activity to enjoy. The “silent auction” closes a 10pm when everyone picks-up and pays-up.  There is always something to do.  These reunions have been going on since 1980, so there are always old timers that just want to be there to “feel the spirit” and share family histories.

I suggest that you join the EFNA (which you can do at the reunion for a nominal annual fee or a larger life-time fee). Members receive quarterly newsletters and a EFNA directory with the names and addresses of all other members to continue your reunion throughout the year.

Enjoy!

LoisEaves@live.com (Lois Eaves) – Eaves project DNA administrator
jf5635@hotmail.com (John O. Eaves) – Eaves project DNA co-administrator