We are on the verge of another new and very exciting discovery, but we need funding to finish the research. Let me tell you about what’s going on and maybe you’ll decide to be a part of this new discovery by making a contribution.
It’s not everyday that someone gets the opportunity to make a significant contribution to scientific discovery. But you have that opportunity today.
I believe a new Native American haplogroup has been discovered. We have strong evidence, but we need to finish testing on a group of people for the final proof. People whose DNA results qualify for testing have been notified, and several are ready and willing to have their results upgraded, but don’t have the funding. I’ve funded some, and I’ve used contributed funds I’ve squirreled away from past donations, and now I’m reaching out in the hopes that together we can collaboratively make this happen.
Most of you know that I’m a long time researcher in both the genetic genealogy and Native American fields, particularly where they intersect. I’ve being involved with genetic genealogy since the beginning and am tri-racial myself, descended from multiple Native ancestors and tribes. I write the Personal DNA Reports for Family Tree DNA, own www.dnaexplain.com and write the free blogs, www.dna-explained.com and www.nativeheritageproject.com. You can verify anything in this article directly with Bennett Greenspan, the President of Family Tree DNA at bcg@familytreedna.com. In fact, Bennett is both aware and supportive of this DNA testing endeavor and has offered reduced test pricing for a short time to facilitate this discovery process.
By the way, this is not the first time this has happened. I was also involved with a similar discovery in December 2010. You can read about that discovery at this link. http://dna-explained.com/2012/09/11/lenny-trujillo-the-journey-of-you/
Ok, now that you know who I am and why I care, let me tell you about the discovery.
Discovery of a New Native American Haplogroup
To date, only 5 female Native American base haplogroups, or clans, have been discovered. A, B, C, D and X. Within these haplogroups are subgroups, and not all subgroups in each haplogroup are Native American. Some are Asian and European. In fact, in haplogroup A, which is the haplogroup being studied in this project, only subgroup A2 has been confirmed to be Native American – until now.
Recently, I was working with a client’s DNA, writing a Personal DNA Report, and I realized, based on her information and that of some of the people she matched, that a subgroup of haplogroup A4 is also very likely Native American.
For Native American history, this is a big discovery. But we need more information. We need to proof. How can we do that?
Advanced Testing
We need to test people in haplogroup A who are predicted to fall into this new Native American haplogroup at the full sequence level. Mitochondrial DNA testing falls into three levels. The highest level, the full sequence level is the one that tests the entire mitochondria and is required to obtain a full haplogroup assignment. In other words, if you don’t test the full sequence, you’ll know that you are haplogroup A, but you’ll never know if you are A2, A4 or A10 for that matter.
Of people who have tested only at the lower levels, we have identified a small group of people who we believe will test to be haplogroup A4 or a subgroup based on some specific mutations. Bennett Greenspan has offered discount testing for the upgraded test through July 5th.
Some people have been able to pay for their own upgrade, but not all, and I certainly don’t want the lack of funds to impede the discovery and proof of a new haplogroup. This is akin to raising the history of this group of Native people from the dead, from the dust where some of our history and people have been lost until now.
We need several hundred dollars in total. If everyone that we’d like to test participates, it will cost more than $2000. You can contribute directly to the haplogroup A4 mtDNA project at Family Tree DNA and the funds will be used directly for this testing. Every little bit helps – no amount is too small. You can contribute in memory of someone, anonymously, or however you wish.
http://www.familytreedna.com/group-general-fund-contribution.aspx?g=mtDNA-A4a
In a few months, we’ll let you know the outcome of this testing and what we discover, right here. I can hardly wait!
Thank you in advance for your support.
Roberta Estes
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