There has been a great deal of interest in the story regarding my Y-Chromosome DNA being closely related to that of the descendants of Genghis Khan. There have been some additional developments that I felt needed to be shared publicly, but first some background information.
During 2002, I was doing some work on my family history, trying to develop a family tree. Our family records were not very comprehensive. My uncle had done some research on my maternal side (Mayton) that indicated that this side of the family began in recent history in Virginia, migrated to North Carolina, then Alabama and then Florida over about 7 or so generations. No information was available as to how/when they migrated from “across the pond” or from where. On my father’s side less information was available. Using census and other data on Ancestry.com, I know that my great-grandfather was born in Illinois and that my great-great grandfather was likely born in the lake district of England and immigrated to Illinois.
I had read several books on the subject of tracing origins using DNA including Seven Daughters of Eve by Bryan Sykes (see references later) and decided to have my DNA tested by Oxford Ancestors (www.oxfordancestors.com) which is associated with Bryan Sykes. I received my results in early 2003 which provided a Y-line signature (10 markers) and detailed information on my mitochondrial DNA. The results indicated on the maternal side that the mitochondrial DNA may have originated on what is now the coast of France/Spain. The Y-line information was not specific as to origin, but could be used to search Y-DNA databases for similar patterns. These searches turned up few exact matches but some close matches in Central Europe.
Not too long after this I learned that Family Tree DNA was performing similar tests using 25 markers (they currently offer up to 67 markers). Believing that more evidence is always better, I had new tests done from scratch at Family Tree DNA. My DNA markers were the same on the markers common to Oxford Ancestors. Searching the Family Tree DNA database revealed no exact matches at that time (there is one on 12 markers now) but many close matches in places such as China, India, Germany, Poland and other Central European locations. My research on DNA stopped here. I went back working in the other direction periodically checking Ancestry.com and ordering birth records to fill in my family tree (without a lot of success).
In April, I received a call from Oxford Ancestors letting me know that they had done additional research (not at my request) based on recent research on the descendants of Genghis Khan. While Genghis Khan’s DNA has not been found, I understand from published research (see The Genetic Legacy of the Mongols in references below) that it has been “inferred” from living individuals. You should also know that this research shows that about 8% of the men in the area from the Pacific to the Caspian Sea share this DNA pattern, comprising about 0.5% of the world male population (Genghis was a busy man). In talking with Bryan Sykes, I learned that they were looking at 9 specific markers in their database and found that I matched on 7 out of the 9 and was the closest in their database from outside the area described above. I agreed to have my name included in a press release from Oxford Ancestors which stated, in part:
Oxford Ancestors, the world’s foremost and leading company in ancestral DNA analysis has uncovered the first American descendent of the great warlord Genghis Khan... Tom Robinson, Associate Professor of Accountancy and professional investment consultant, of Miami, Florida, USA.
Tom Robinson teaches at the University of Miami, he is a well published author on financial analysis and valuation and he serves as an investment advisor. His expertise leads the Miami-born and based Professor around the globe and in this fact he resembles another man who has seen the world: the 13th century Mongol warlord, and ruler of the largest land empire in history, stretching from Eastern Europe all the way to the South China Sea, Genghis Khan.
But a far greater commonality was revealed to him when he found out about his ancestry through Oxford Ancestors, the world’s first and premier DNA analysis company founded and run by the progenitor of modern genealogy Professor Bryan Sykes. It turns out that Dr Robinson is a direct descendent of Genghis, and he is the first American to find this out through a genetic test. His Y-Chromosome bears an astonishing seven out of nine possible genetic markers identical to Genghis Khan’s (as DNA mutates over generations, two altering DNA markers is a remarkably low number for a period stretching over 700 years).
Subsequently I received a certificate (suitable for framing) that states:
“This is to certify that Thomas R Robinson carries a Y-chromosome which shows him to be of probable direct descent from Genghis Khan, First Emperor of the Mongols.”
The results did come as a surprise and I inquired as to how the DNA of the Mongolians would have ended up in England. Professor Sykes speculated that the Vikings acquired slaves in Central Europe in an area that the Mongolians had conquered (see Jack Weatherford’s excellent book for the range of land Genghis conquered) and that these slaves may have ended up in England. While we will never know, it is an interesting conjecture.
I was not expecting all of the press coverage and attention being paid to this story since it did not appear I was an exact match and it seemed from published research that there were apparently a lot of potential offspring from Genghis that shared this DNA. In correspondence with one reporter, Noah Bierman at the Miami Herald, the subject was raised about having more comprehensive DNA testing done. Shortly thereafter I received an inquiry from JWM Productions about my travelling to Mongolia this summer to participate in filming of a previously scheduled documentary-type production. They happened to be working with Family Tree DNA. We tentatively booked the trip, but both JWM and I felt that we should have the results verified independently.
Bennett Greenspan of Family Tree DNA generously agreed to look at my results and run an SNP test to determine my haplogroup classification (see www.familytreedna.com for more information – they can explain it better than I). In looking at my markers, Mr. Greenspan felt that it was appropriate to examine at least 12 markers and that one marker in particular (DYS 426 which is slow mutating) is particularly important. While I matched on 8 of the 12 markers he looked at, one of the non-matches was DYS 426. He indicated that he felt I was more likely haplogroup R1a than C3. As I understand it the haplogroup places an individual on a limb of the global family tree and is therefore diagnostic in determining the geographic origin. If the haplogroup test classified me as C3 that would be consistent with Mongolian ancestry and the results associated with descendants of Genghis Khan. If on the other hand, if it confirmed R1a I was definitely related to a different Haplogroup group. Here is what www.familytreedna.com says about R1a:
The R1a lineage is believed to have originated in the Eurasian Steppes north of the Black & Caspian Seas. This lineage is thought to descend from a population of the Kurgan culture, known for the domestication of the horse (circa 3000 B.C.E.). These people were also believed to be the first speakers of the Indo-European language group. This lineage is found in central & western Asia, India, and in Slavic populations of Europe.
On June 13, Mr. Greenspan advised me that their SNP test confirmed a classification as R1a. He advised me that the predecessor of this group of people was thought to have migrated out of Africa 50,000 years ago or so, eventually into Central Asia and later to Eastern Europe. Later some went to Scandinavian countries and those who moved onward to Western Europe became known as Vikings.
So where does this leave us? I have done a lot of reading of research papers. Two that are listed below seem the most relevant. One written in 2003, Genetic Legacy of the Mongols, appeared to use 15 or 16 DNA markers in their study. Four of these markers are not tested by either Oxford Ancestors or Family Tree DNA. A more recent study (2005), Genetic Evidence for the Mongolian Ancestry of Kalmyks, used only 9 markers. In both studies Haplogroup C3 was considered diagnostic for the lineage Genghis Khan. Family Tree DNA reports that in their worldwide database, including 572 men from Mongolia, 47 match the Family Tree DNA 12 marker Genghis Khan modal haplotype. This represents 8.2% of the Mongolian group which reflects the scientific studies on this haplotype as well. All of these individuals are confirmed as being part of haplogroup C3.
I am obviously not an expert in this area (my PhD is in accounting not DNA) so I don’t know how many markers are appropriate, however the Haplogroup assignment appears important. Based on my reading I have compiled my DNA markers with those used in the articles and compared them to what I believe is a 13 marker Mongolian benchmark. The Mongolian benchmark I am showing here is my creation based on the articles and my understanding of nomenclature changes that have occurred. It is not official and did not come from Oxford Ancestors or Family Tree DNA. Other, more knowledgeable, individuals should feel free to correct me!
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Oxford
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Family Tree DNA
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Composite
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Mongolian
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Marker
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Ancestors
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Benchmark
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Robinson
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Robinson
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Robinson
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**Unofficial**
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DYS19
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16
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16
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16
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16
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DYS388
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12
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12
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12
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14
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DYS390
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25
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25
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25
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25
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DYS391
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10
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10
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10
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10
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DYS392
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11
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11
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11
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11
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DYS393
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13
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13
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13
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13
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DYS389I
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13
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13
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13
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13
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DYS389II
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31
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31
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31
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29
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DYS425
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12
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12
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12
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DYS426
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12
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12
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12
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11
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DYS439
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10
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10
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10
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DYS437
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14
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14
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14
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DYS385a
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12
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12
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12
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From this data, it appears that I match on 9 out of 13 markers used in research papers. From the 2005 paper Kalmyks classified as haplogroup C3 had DYS 389II ranging from 29 to 31 (although they used slightly different nomenclature). This paper does not mention DYS 426 at all.
I will leave it to you to make your own conclusions regarding these results but here are mine. As an academic I always believe in looking at as much evidence as possible. The only things I am willing to conclude based on the weight of the evidence at this point is:
- My Y-Chromosome ancestors were likely nomadic horsemen in Central Asia/Eastern Europe, but not Genghis Khan (and I will not be taken that previously scheduled trip to Mongolia).
- Vikings may have been involved.
- While I may be the closest match to the Mongolian DNA from west of the Caucasus mountains in databases at this point in time, other closer matches are likely to be found some of whom will be haplogroup C3. There goes any inheritance!
- I am an accountant (not practicing), living in the Miami area.
I hope to learn more in the future and will keep you posted.
Tom Robinson
[Note entry revised June 19 to include name of production company and to make my conclusions clearer per reader input]
Useful Articles and Books (in no particular order)
“The Genetic Legacy of the Mongols,” Zerjal, et. al., American Journal of Human Genetics, 72: 717-721, 2003.
“Genetic Evidence for the Mongolian Ancestry of Kalmyks,” Nasidze, et. al., American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2005, Online Publication.
Mapping Human History: Genes, Race and Our Common Origins, Steve Olson, Mariner Books, 2002.
The Journey of Man, Spencer Wells, Princeton University Press, 2002.
Genghis Kahn and the Making of the Modern World, Jack Weatherford, Three Rivers Press, 2004.
The Seven Daughters of Eve, Bryan Sykes, Bantam Press, 2001.
Adam’s Curse: A Future Without Men, Bryan Sykes, Bantam Press, 2003.
Before the Dawn, Nicholas Wade, Penguin Press, 2006.
