lion Venter DNA Project

Y-Chromosome Test Results & Analysis

Purpose: The goal of the Venter Surname DNA Project is to identify, isolate, and categorize the different genetic lines which comprise our surname. Once that is done, the next step is to determine to which specific lineage each individual belongs. However, in order to determine what genetic lines exist, we must first test Venter surnamed individuals in order to identify the various haplotypes.

Note: To aid in understanding the material on this page, visitors may find it helpful to read A Short Course In Genetic Genealogy, located elsewhere at this site.

Original Hypothesis: Our initial hypothesis was that there were very few, and possibly only one, Venter genetic line (or haplotype). This was based on the fact that, in relation to other European genetic lines, the Venter surname is extremely rare.

Status: Preliminary steps have been taken toward determining the validity of the original hypothesis. However, the test results of the individuals we have analyzed so far, indicate that there are at least four, and possibly more, identifiable and unrelated Venter genetic lines. These results have been grouped and categorized as follows:

Test Results

This table shows the allele values (i.e., the number of repeats) for each " Short Tandem Repeat" (STR) tested. Each STR is identified by its DNA Y-chromosome Sequence Number, or DYS#, which is listed across the top of the right-hand portion of the table. The STR values for each individual appear below each DYS#, respectively, and one may compare the tested values between individuals by reading down the column below each DYS#. The assumed modal haplotype for each identified group is shown in the first row of its group. Values differing from the modal value are highlighted in yellow.

 
Line
No.
SurnameID Earliest
Documented
Ancestor

H  G  
a   r  
p  o  
l   u  
o   p ‡

Family Tree DNA Test Group   ==>
Group #1
1Venter202167 J1
Group #2
2Venter109845 R1b1a2
3Venter74467 R1b1a2
4Hokanson94923 R1b1a2
Group #3
5Venter31552 Johann AdamR1b1a2
6Venter43528  R1b1a2
7Fenter107281 Johann PeterR1b1a2
Group #4
8Hypothetical Modal Hendrik ConradR1a1
9Venter169127 Hendrik ConradR1a1a
10Venter73298 Henri FenderR1a1a1
11Venter89593 Hendrik ConradR1a1
12Venter87173 Hendrik ConradR1a1a
13Venter87825 Hendrik ConradR1a1
14Venter159767 Hendrik ConradR1a1
15Venter87448 Hendrik ConradR1a1
16VenterN71470 Hendrik ConradR1a1
17Venter140014 Hendrik ConradR1a1
18Venter173934 Hendrik ConradR1a1
19Venter143654   R1a1
20Venter132347 Hendrik ConradR1a1
21Venter143506 Hendrik ConradR1a1
22Venter78508 Hendrik ConradR1a1
Group #5
23Venters98133 R1b1a2
24van DeventerN32142 R1b1a2
25Venter81208 N
Family Tree DNA Marker Number   ==>
DNA Y-chromosome Segment Number (DYS#) DNA Y-chromosome Segment Number (DYS#)
3
9
3
3
9
0
1
9
3
9
1
3
8
5
a
3
8
5
b
4
2
6
3
8
8
4
3
9
3
8
9
|
1
3
9
2
3
8
9
|
2
4
5
8
4
5
9
a
4
5
9
b
4
5
5
4
5
4
4
4
7
4
3
7
4
4
8
4
4
9
4
6
4
a
4
6
4
b
4
6
4
c
4
6
4
d
4
6
4
e
4
6
4
f
4
6
4
g
4
6
0
G
A
T
A
 
H
4
Y
C
A
 
I
I
a
Y
C
A
 
I
I
b
4
5
6
6
0
7
5
7
6
5
7
0
C
D
Y
a
C
D
Y
b
4
4
2
4
3
8
5
3
1
5
7
8
3
9
5
S
1
a
3
9
5
S
1
b
5
9
0
5
3
7
6
4
1
4
7
2
4
0
6
S
1
5
1
1
4
2
5
4
1
3
a
4
1
3
b
5
5
7
5
9
4
4
3
6
4
9
0
5
3
4
4
5
0
4
4
4
4
8
1
5
2
0
4
4
6
6
1
7
5
6
8
4
8
7
5
7
2
6
4
0
4
9
2
5
6
5
Y-DNA12 Y-DNA13 - 25 * Note Y-DNA26 - 37 Y-DNA38 - 47 Y-DNA48 - 60 Y-DNA60 - 67
Categorized as EASTERN EUROPEAN Haplotype.
122314101019111612141231 128911102614192913161616 101119221514171732371210 Markers 38 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
Categorized as ENGLISH Haplotype.
132314101114121212131329 1791011112515193015151717 111119231515181737381212 12915169101081010 1223231610121216812222013 12111311111312
132314101114121212131329 1791011112515193015151717 Markers 26 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132314101114121212131329 1791011112515192715151617 111119231515191737381212 12915168101081010 1223231610121215812222013 12111311111312
Categorized as GERMAN Haplotype.
132414111114121211141330 1691011112514192915151718 111119231516181736371212 11915168101081011 1223231710121216813222013 12111311111212
132414111114121212141330 1691011112514192915151718 111119231516181736371212 Markers 38 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132414111114121211141330 169911112514192915151718 111119231515181736371212Markers 38 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
Categorized as SOUTH AFRICAN Haplotype.
132516101114121211131129 16910111223142032121215151516 111119211816181835401311 12817178111081210 1221221510121213814252112 12111311111213
132516101114121211131129 16910111223142032121215151516 111119211816181835401311 12817178111081210 1221221510121213814252112 12111311111213
132516101114121211131129 16910111223142032121215151516 111119211816181835401311 12816178111081210 1221221510121213814252112 12111311111213
132516101114121211131129 16910111223142032121215151516 111119211816181935391311 12817178111081210 1221221510121213814252112 12111311111213
132516101114121211131129 16910111223142032121215151516 111119211816171835401312 12817178101081210 1221221510121213814252112 12111311111213
132516101114121211131129 16910111223142032121215151516 111119211816181835401311 Markers 38 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101214121211131129 1691011122314203211121215151516 111119211816181835401311 Markers 38 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101114121211131129 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101114121211131129 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101114121211131129 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101114121211131129 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101114121211131129 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101214121211131129 16910111223142032121215151516 111119211816181835401311 Markers 38 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132516101214121212131129 16101011122314203215151616 111119211816181840401311 Markers 38 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
132517101115121211131129 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
Uncategorized Haplotypes.
132414111115121212131329 1791011112515193015151617 111019231515171837371212 11915169101081010 1223231610121213812232013 12111311111212
132415111115121213131329 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
142413111113111210141431 Markers 13 - 67 have not yet been tested for this individual.
123456789101112 13141516171819202122232425 * Note 262728293031323334353637 383940414243444546474849 50515253545556575859606162 6364656667

* Note: Our South African test results show an unusual characteristic in that DYS#464 occurs six times instead of the more common four. (DYS#464 is known to occur as many as seven times in some individauls.)

‡ Note: Haplogroup names have been modified, as of March 2011, to reflect the lastest revision to the Haplotree. Please refer to the revised International Society of Genetic Genealogy web page.

Analysis

The table above shows the marker values for each of our participants. Each individual's test results are displayed horizontally and are identified by a unique "ID", which is the test kit number assigned to that participant's DNA sample. Surnames are provided because, in addition to Venter, our project is also looking at variations in spelling of the name as well as other surnames that could be related.

Test results are grouped according to category. The top line in each group is the haplotype which, when compared to the others within the group, appears to be the " modal" that defines that group. The haplotype chosen to be the modal may change as more results become available. Marker alleles that differ from the modal are highlighted in yellow and the test results are sorted with respect to these differences.

The Eastern European Group. The Venter DNA Project has tested only one individual from the Eastern European group and his haplotype has been found to be unique among the known Venter genetic lines. Because we have only one sample from this group it is impossible to tell at this time if this is truly a unique genetic line of Venters or if this particular sample is the result of a 'non-paternity event'.

The English Group has only three individuals at this time, and two have haplotypes which match perfectly for markers 1 - 25 (the only markers for which both have been tested). This is not surprising, since documentation shows that these two individuals are very closely related. The third individual is more distantly related, as his halpotype differs at five locations.

In the German group, ID 31552, was chosen as the modal strictly for convenience, although either of the others may have just as easily been designated as the modal. At this point there isn't enough information to recommend one over the other. The DNA indicates that all three of these participants share a common ancestor.

In the South African group there is little ambiguity. Only ID 143506 & ID 78508 seem out of step. The other lines (except for kit #159767, which shows just a one count difference at marker #22, and kit #132347, which shows a one count difference at marker #5) show complete agreement at least through marker #31 (DSY#607), for those markers that were tested. Since all of the Venters in South Africa are believed to be descended from one original immigrant, the fact that there is such good agreement is not surprising. Differences only start to show up in markers further to the right, giving hope that we may be able to differentiate the various family lines within the South African clan. You can see how the family lines of our paticapants fit together on our South African Venter Family Tree.

The South African group also shows the unusual feature of having DYS#464 occur six times instead of the usual four. (See note below the table.) This should be a great help in narrowing the search for Hendrik's family line outside of South Africa.

The Uncategorized group contains the test results that do not fall into either of the other groups and, therefore, no differences are highlighted. At this point, each one represents its own unique genetic line and each may have its own history and place of origin. Eventually, as more results become available, we should find others that match these haplotypes and we will be able to give each its own group designation.

Return to the Venter Surname DNA Project page.

Prepared by Robert Venter
Venter Surname DNA Project Leader

mail box Send e-mail to: venter.genealogy@comcast.net

Version: 136;   Updated on Sunday, November 20, 2011 at 11:30 am