DNA Results

The DNA analysis of groups and their migration patterns is changing rapidly as new data comes online. In fact, the name of our subgroup has changed several times and is now I2a2a or I-M223; it was formerly I2B1.

Only a very small percentage of people test their DNA. (For information on DNA testing, click here.) Of those, a subset have posted results on the Bryan/Bryant group at familytreedna.com. Most belong to the R haplogroup. Many people expect to see the same haplogroup among all males with the same surname. That's not how it works. Surnames are a relatively modern invention and emerged late in some countries, such as Scotland. Also, surnames and DNA are shuffled by adoptions, name changes, rape, and children born out-of-wedlock. These events are collectively called non-paternity events (NPEs).

To elaborate on NPEs, men and women lived much shorter life spans until recently. If the father of a male child died and the mother remarried, the stepfather might adopt the boy. DNA remains the same but his name changes. Alternatively, if both parents died, a brother or sister might adopt a sibling's child. Over several generations, the probability of NPEs will increase substantially—in all family lines, so haplotypes must be used in combination with traditional genealogy.

We now have results from twelve DNA tests (four are 37 marker tests and three are 67 marker tests from Familytreedna.com).

Mutations on DYS 576 and 570 are common. The mutation on DYS 576 is the distinctive feature of the Anthony Bryant line; it probably occurred with Anthony himself, as it is found in descendants of two different sons but not in Anthony's brothers. The mutation on 570 occurred in the line of Anthony's son, David, sometime within the last four generations.

The mutation of DYS 19 is much slower, occurring roughly ten times less frequently. This mutation may prove to be a distinctive feature of the Austin Bryant line. However, both DNA donors were from descendants of the same grandson. Until we test a different Austin line, we cannot be sure when that mutation occurred.

As of 6/13/2011, we have results for James Bryant who married Eudocia Littrell. This line shows just one distinctive mutation on CDYa. This is a very rapidly mutating marker; it probably mutated sometime between James and the descendant tested. The DNA donor had a value of 30 on CDYa, whereas all other tests show a value of 31.

As of 10/10/2012, we have a DNA test on a descendant of Harmon Bryant. In this case, we already had discovered an extensive web of connections between Harmon's family and other RICs (see chapter 6), proving a family relationship by the standards of traditional genealogy. The DNA for the Harmon descendant matches our I2B1 haplogroup, and the descendant matches only RIC Bryants, no one else in the database. The closest DNA match is 34/37 for descendants of John Bryant Jr., indicating the descendant has 3 different markers. One is DYS570, which has a very fast mutation rate and has also mutated in the Anthony line. Another is DYS449, another very fast mutator; however, this is the first time we have seen a mutation on this marker in our line. The third is DYS390, a fast mutator but, again, not one that we have previously seen. So the Harmon line has a highly distinctive DNA signature.

As of 11/27/12, we have a DNA test, confirming that Howard Bryant was a son of John III. The DNA donor had one distinctive marker. On DYS 385b, he showed a value of 16, instead of the typical value of 17. This mutation occurred in John III or in one of his descendants.

Our own family line has a distant PDE. First, some background: We have an unbroken DNA line back to John Bryant, Sr. of Rock Island Creek, Buckingham Co. Va; he was born before 1734. The PDE comes into play because we also have a very close DNA match to a pair of half brothers that have a presumed paternity as follows: Meredith "Owen" Ballou or Ballow>Baker Ballow b. abt. 1811>James Meredith Ballow>Alvin Riley Ballow>the two half brothers. Little appears to be known about Baker Ballow’s origins or that of his parents. The most likely explanation is that a Bryant was the actual father of Baker’s father or grandfather, Baker himself, James Meredith or Alvin Riley. The closest DNA match is via the John Bryant/Judith Winfrey line. There were many Bryants and Ballows in Buckingham County, Virginia. A Ballowe had land near Richard Murray. In 1772, Thomas Ballow and Elizabeth Ballow witnessed the will of Richard Murray in Buckingham County. In 1882, T. H. Ballowe and W. S. Ballowe witnessed the will of Richard's great great grandson, Henry K. Bryant, also in Buckingham Co.