WE NEED YOU !
Our Y-DNA project has made remarkable progress in just a few years. What began as a personal quest to explore my Cryan family tree quickly grew into something much bigger. I initially set out to test Cryan men, but soon learned that the Crean and Crehan families might share a genetic connection. As we dug deeper, we uncovered surname variations like Crane, Creen, and Kneen, hinting at even more branches waiting to be explored. Today, our project includes 13 distinct family groups, with several showing surname use for over 400 years. Two Crean and Cryan families can even trace their genetic lineage back 600 years.
Y-DNA testing, pioneered by FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) about 25 years ago, has been the cornerstone of our work. FTDNA stands out as a trusted company that prioritizes customer privacy and is the only one offering surname projects for collaborative research. This testing focuses solely on the Y chromosome, passed down through the male line, revealing centuries of paternal history that align with Irish surname traditions dating back roughly 1,000 years.Our project proudly includes the family of Tom Crean, the renowned explorer, giving Crean testers a chance to discover if they’re related to him. So far, we’ve found no genetic link between the Cryans, Crehans, and Creans, despite historical assumptions. For example, Crehan is often considered a Galway variant of the Sligo Creans, and Cryan a Roscommon offshoot, but the DNA suggests these surnames may have distinct origins.
We also have an application in to open up a Crean tomb at Sligo Abbey. The hope it to test the 500 year old remains there . If we are successful, it would be wonderful for all the Creans out there to genetically link to the first and most well known Crean sept there is
Recruiting new testers hasn’t been easy. Some people aren’t interested in family history, while others are wary of DNA testing. I strongly endorse FTDNA for its reliability and encourage participation. Another challenge is that families today are smaller, with fewer male descendants to carry on surnames. When a family line ends or “daughters out,” we lose valuable genetic clues, leaving gaps in our research. Yet, just one new tester can transform our understanding of an entire group. So far, we’ve tested about 60 men, but many family lines still await discovery.
The Y-DNA test comes in three levels: the affordable Y37 (around $100), the more detailed Y111, and the comprehensive BigY700 ($450). The Y37 is perfect for those on a budget or less invested in the project’s goals, while the BigY offers deeper insights. Even if someone isn’t interested now, testing today keeps the door open for future curiosity—results can always be revisited later. As the project’s volunteer coordinator, I help testers understand their results and group them into the right family clusters.
This project is a unique effort to preserve and uncover the history of these Irish surnames. Even if you’re not personally curious, your participation could help cousins who lack a male relative to carry the surname forward. Join us while the project is active—it’s a chance to contribute to a legacy that connects us all.
familytreedna.com
Michael
Y-DNA testing, pioneered by FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) about 25 years ago, has been the cornerstone of our work. FTDNA stands out as a trusted company that prioritizes customer privacy and is the only one offering surname projects for collaborative research. This testing focuses solely on the Y chromosome, passed down through the male line, revealing centuries of paternal history that align with Irish surname traditions dating back roughly 1,000 years.Our project proudly includes the family of Tom Crean, the renowned explorer, giving Crean testers a chance to discover if they’re related to him. So far, we’ve found no genetic link between the Cryans, Crehans, and Creans, despite historical assumptions. For example, Crehan is often considered a Galway variant of the Sligo Creans, and Cryan a Roscommon offshoot, but the DNA suggests these surnames may have distinct origins.
We also have an application in to open up a Crean tomb at Sligo Abbey. The hope it to test the 500 year old remains there . If we are successful, it would be wonderful for all the Creans out there to genetically link to the first and most well known Crean sept there is
Recruiting new testers hasn’t been easy. Some people aren’t interested in family history, while others are wary of DNA testing. I strongly endorse FTDNA for its reliability and encourage participation. Another challenge is that families today are smaller, with fewer male descendants to carry on surnames. When a family line ends or “daughters out,” we lose valuable genetic clues, leaving gaps in our research. Yet, just one new tester can transform our understanding of an entire group. So far, we’ve tested about 60 men, but many family lines still await discovery.
The Y-DNA test comes in three levels: the affordable Y37 (around $100), the more detailed Y111, and the comprehensive BigY700 ($450). The Y37 is perfect for those on a budget or less invested in the project’s goals, while the BigY offers deeper insights. Even if someone isn’t interested now, testing today keeps the door open for future curiosity—results can always be revisited later. As the project’s volunteer coordinator, I help testers understand their results and group them into the right family clusters.
This project is a unique effort to preserve and uncover the history of these Irish surnames. Even if you’re not personally curious, your participation could help cousins who lack a male relative to carry the surname forward. Join us while the project is active—it’s a chance to contribute to a legacy that connects us all.
familytreedna.com
Michael
mikec1120@comcast.net
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