Lord Burghley (William Cecil) and Related Families
DNA Test Analysis Results
Introduction:
Introduction:
This site presents the current DNA test analysis results for the Cecil-Cissell DNA Project. The actual Project website is hosted by Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) and is located at https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/cecil-cissell.
This site presents the current DNA test analysis results for the Cecil-Cissell DNA Project. The actual Project website is hosted by Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) and is located at https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/cecil-cissell.
William Cecil (Lord Burghley) is part of the family being studied. He was Secretary of State and Treasurer of England for Queen Elizabeth I during the last half of the 1500's. Although not the primary purpose of the DNA Project, he and his branch of the family are of historical significance.
William Cecil (Lord Burghley) is part of the family being studied. He was Secretary of State and Treasurer of England for Queen Elizabeth I during the last half of the 1500's. Although not the primary purpose of the DNA Project, he and his branch of the family are of historical significance.
The results here are based mainly on next-generation DNA tests of the Y-Chromosome. Most of the data has come from the Big Y-500 test at FTDNA. These tests look for SNPs, which are changes to a single DNA letter on the Y-chromosome . These SNPs are useful for genealogy purposes because once one occurs. it is passed down to all subsequent male descendants. By comparing SNPs shared between individuals it is possible to create family trees for them, even if no paper records exist.
The results here are based mainly on next-generation DNA tests of the Y-Chromosome. Most of the data has come from the Big Y-500 test at FTDNA. These tests look for SNPs, which are changes to a single DNA letter on the Y-chromosome . These SNPs are useful for genealogy purposes because once one occurs. it is passed down to all subsequent male descendants. By comparing SNPs shared between individuals it is possible to create family trees for them, even if no paper records exist.
(Last updated Jul 2020)
Researchers:
Researchers:
There are four people involved with interpreting the DNA data. David Cissell, the Cecil-Cissell DNA Project Administrator; John Gilbert (Australia); Chad Word, the Word Family DNA Project Administrator; and David Campbell (UK). The late John Howells (Wales) also was instrumental with the initial data analysis and development of this site.
There are four people involved with interpreting the DNA data. David Cissell, the Cecil-Cissell DNA Project Administrator; John Gilbert (Australia); Chad Word, the Word Family DNA Project Administrator; and David Campbell (UK). The late John Howells (Wales) also was instrumental with the initial data analysis and development of this site.
Family Tree Overview:
Family Tree Overview:
Current efforts look at the family starting with a common ancestor who was born about 258 BC. Over time, his various male descendants started family branches of their own. When surnames were finally adopted in England, Wales, and Norway each of these branches seem to have adopted their own surnames. The surnames of these various branches currently include: Cecil, Cissell, Gilbert, Harris, Howells, Vinson, Word, Webb, Schipper, Nedrebo, Twete, Hyatt, Phillips, and Parry.
Current efforts look at the family starting with a common ancestor who was born about 258 BC. Over time, his various male descendants started family branches of their own. When surnames were finally adopted in England, Wales, and Norway each of these branches seem to have adopted their own surnames. The surnames of these various branches currently include: Cecil, Cissell, Gilbert, Harris, Howells, Vinson, Word, Webb, Schipper, Nedrebo, Twete, Hyatt, Phillips, and Parry.
Family Tree Structure:
Family Tree Structure:
The determined top-level family tree structure starting with the ancestor born about 258 BC in England is shown below.
The determined top-level family tree structure starting with the ancestor born about 258 BC in England is shown below.
The dates in this tree are "best estimates" and were obtained from work done by Dr. Iain McDonald at University of Manchester in England. ] The surname, "Phillips" is also associated with the "Howells" branch shown on this chart. The red markers on the chart correspond to the SNPs that identify each of the branch points, or common ancestors.
The dates in this tree are "best estimates" and were obtained from work done by Dr. Iain McDonald at University of Manchester in England. ] The surname, "Phillips" is also associated with the "Howells" branch shown on this chart. The red markers on the chart correspond to the SNPs that identify each of the branch points, or common ancestors.
Burghley DNA Chart.pdfOverall Family SNP Block Tree:
Overall Family SNP Block Tree:
The overall family SNP Block Tree for each of the members we have information for is provided below. This shows all of the known family SNPs. Each SNP corresponds to an actual ancestor.
The overall family SNP Block Tree for each of the members we have information for is provided below. This shows all of the known family SNPs. Each SNP corresponds to an actual ancestor.
Cecil SNP Chart_ July 2020.pdfAs an example of how to interpret this chart: Cissell-31919 is one of the people who have been tested. The box above him contains 1-SNP (FGC1314) that he has. This SNP corresponds to one of his ancestors. The box above that contains 3-SNPs (FT90765, FGC51311, and FGC81252) These represent three of his ancestors that he shares with two other members of the St. Mary's County branch (Cecil-567299 & Cecil-54035). The next box up has 5-SNPs. Each of these correspond to common ancestors for the St. Mary's County branch. The next box up has 4-SNPs (FGC51312, Y21405, Y20960, and Y21416). These represent his ancestors who he shares in common with the Lord Burghley descendant (Cecil-57787), the Cecil's from the Prince George's County Maryland, and the others from St. Mary's County, Maryland.
As an example of how to interpret this chart: Cissell-31919 is one of the people who have been tested. The box above him contains 1-SNP (FGC1314) that he has. This SNP corresponds to one of his ancestors. The box above that contains 3-SNPs (FT90765, FGC51311, and FGC81252) These represent three of his ancestors that he shares with two other members of the St. Mary's County branch (Cecil-567299 & Cecil-54035). The next box up has 5-SNPs. Each of these correspond to common ancestors for the St. Mary's County branch. The next box up has 4-SNPs (FGC51312, Y21405, Y20960, and Y21416). These represent his ancestors who he shares in common with the Lord Burghley descendant (Cecil-57787), the Cecil's from the Prince George's County Maryland, and the others from St. Mary's County, Maryland.
Ongoing Efforts:
Ongoing Efforts:
We have received whole genome sequencing (WGS) results for two of our Project members. The testing was done by Dante Labs and the data provided on 1-T hard drives appears to be good. We have converted the provided data from the hg19 standard to the newer hg38. The initial results have been included on the Block Trees above. One other member has taken this test and we are waiting for his results.
We have received whole genome sequencing (WGS) results for two of our Project members. The testing was done by Dante Labs and the data provided on 1-T hard drives appears to be good. We have converted the provided data from the hg19 standard to the newer hg38. The initial results have been included on the Block Trees above. One other member has taken this test and we are waiting for his results.
One objective we are still working on is to try to determine who the wife of the John Cissell who came to St. Mary's County, Maryland in 1658 actually was; the likelihood of being able to do this is extremely low, but we are at least trying. As part of this, a researcher at the University of Toledo in Ohio has agreed to process our WGS results from Dante Labs to look for rare mutations that might allow for comparison with possible family descendants of John's wife's family. We are waiting for those results but currently have no idea what they might show.
One objective we are still working on is to try to determine who the wife of the John Cissell who came to St. Mary's County, Maryland in 1658 actually was; the likelihood of being able to do this is extremely low, but we are at least trying. As part of this, a researcher at the University of Toledo in Ohio has agreed to process our WGS results from Dante Labs to look for rare mutations that might allow for comparison with possible family descendants of John's wife's family. We are waiting for those results but currently have no idea what they might show.
2020 is taken by some as the 500th anniversary of William Cecil, Lord Burghley. As part of this, a book examining Lord Burghley's historical pedigree and comparing it to the current DNA results was published this May. [The Pedigree of William Cecil, Lord Burghley; From Documents to Genetic Genealogy] It found no Burghley DNA matches with any current UK "Cecils" in Wales or the border regions that had been expected. We are currently tying to find DNA matches to Burghley's line in other parts of the UK.
2020 is taken by some as the 500th anniversary of William Cecil, Lord Burghley. As part of this, a book examining Lord Burghley's historical pedigree and comparing it to the current DNA results was published this May. [The Pedigree of William Cecil, Lord Burghley; From Documents to Genetic Genealogy] It found no Burghley DNA matches with any current UK "Cecils" in Wales or the border regions that had been expected. We are currently tying to find DNA matches to Burghley's line in other parts of the UK.
Contacts:
Contacts:
For any questions about any of this, please feel free to contact us at: BurghleyFamily@gmail.com or dcissell@gmail.com
For any questions about any of this, please feel free to contact us at: BurghleyFamily@gmail.com or dcissell@gmail.com