After about 6 months of rigorous testing of my Y-DNA strand, my male ancestor's Y-DNA Haplogroup has been determined without a shadow of a doubt due to the mutation M253.  This places the Kruizenga/Kruizinga clan inside the Haplogroup I1.  My Y-DNA will match every male descendant of Jacob Cornelis Kruize regardless of family line.  We all share the same Y-DNA passed from father to father through the generations.

In human genetics, Haplogroup I1 is a Y chromosome haplogroup occurring at greatest frequency in Scandinavia, associated with the mutations identified as M253, M307, P30, and P40. These are known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). It is a subclade of Haplogroup I. Before a reclassification in 2008,[1] the group was known as Haplogroup I1a.[2] Some individuals and organizations continue to use the I1a designation.

The group displays a very clear frequency gradient, with a peak of approximately 40 percent among the populations of western Finland and more than 50 percent in the province of Satakunta,[3] around 35 percent in southern Norway, southwestern Sweden especially on the island of Gotland, and Denmark, with rapidly decreasing frequencies toward the edges of the historically Germanic sphere of influence.

Possible time of origin 4,000 to 20,000 BC Possible place of origin Scandinavia Ancestor I Defining mutations M253, M307, P30, P40 Highest frequencies People of Northern Europe (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Sami, Estonian, German, Dutch, English, Scottish, Irish), French

Every male has the Y-Chromosomal DNA imprint of his father.  This same DNA imprint will be passed on to any male children.  DNA is an interesting procedure that is able to free those wrongfully convicted for crimes they did not do or to positively match an adoptee with his or her birth parents. 

Because the Y-DNA passes from father to father down through the generations - virtually unchanged - it is possible to find distant male relatives through this process.  If there is a link, it is evident that somewhere up the ancestral chain there is a common ancestor. 

This would be the case with our male relatives who are descendants through Jacob Cornellis's other sons.  Our link is through Derk Jacobs.  There were many other sons who also had male issue - and these males will have the same Y-DNA as it was passed from Jacob Cornellis to each of his male heirs.

Thus, the most-distant male in our genealogical chain has the same Y-DNA as we male descendants possess today.  There may be a few mutations along the way, but nothing significant that would make the process undetectable.

So my Y-DNA-67 results posted in a recent post are not just for me.  These results are for ALL male descendants of Jacob Cornellis Kruize.  And any female children born can take these same results and claim them as her own even though they do not possess the Y-DNA in themselves.

Earlier in the year I received the results for my Y-DNA 67 test which are posted below.  I am now waiting for absolute certainty on the Haplogroup my DNA places me into.  This DNA is the same carried by all male members of the Kruizenga family that are direct descendants of Jacob Cornellis.

The results given above have no direct matches in either the Family Tree DNA or Ancestry.com databases.  Not yet.

As I was writing this I received confirmation on my descendants Haplogroup type.  What is a Haplogroup?

The haplogroups are the major branches on the Y chromosome tree, defined single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which have accumulated along different lineages as Y chromosomes are passed from father to son over many generations. All haplogroups ultimately descend from a single Y chromosome carried by a male that lived in the distant past. The topology of the Y chromosome tree can be reconstructed by typing mutations in different human populations – as more SNPs are discovered (e.g., M254), the structure of the tree changes. Originally, the Y Chromosome Consortium (YCC) arbitrarily defined 18 haplogroups (A-R), which represent the major divisions of human diversity based on Y chromosome SNPs. Currently there are 20 haplogroups (A-T). In turn, each of these major haplogroups has numbered subgroups, or subclades, that are named with alternating letters and numbers.

My descendants Haplogroup type has been confirmed as: type I1.

Haplogroup type I1 is also known as the "Stonemasons".  Our type is found predominantly in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and parts of Finland.  We eventually migrated down into what is today Northern Netherlands where we established roots.  If we could trace our ancestry back far enough what we would find is an original ancestor that emigrated into the Netherlands from one of these northern areas.

Received 37 DYS marker results.  No matches in any databanks that I am aware of.  Have upgraded to the 67 marker test.  The following results should be same across all male members of the Kruizenga family.

Today I received the results of my first 12 DNA markers.  Larger - more definitive - results are pending.  The following results will be the same for all male descendants of Jacob Derk Kruizenga of Grand Rapids, Michigan - and should be for all male descendants of Jacob Cornellis Kruize, our original Kruizinga ancestor (1765-1822).

393 - 13;   309 -22;   394 - 19;   391 - 10;   385A - 13;   385B - 14;   426 - 11;   388 - 14;   439 - 12;   389I - 12;   392 - 11;  389II - 28

These results classify me into the Haplogroup I1 - Stonemasons.  This group has its greatest frequency in Scandinavia (Norway, Denmark, Sweden).  This may be a clue to our very ancient origins.  A closer inspection into this type is also in progress to refine our origins even further.

Right now there are numerous DNA matches through FamilyTree DNA as well as through Ancestry.com.  These results - 12 markers - are inconclusive.  They are not good for genealogical purposes.  Will have to wait for my 37 marker results.  They are due day before Christmas: an early Christmas present to the family.

Again, what am I hoping to determine?  I hope to find a living ancestor of the father of our most distant known male - Jacob Cornellis Kruizinga.  It there is a link - or something even further back - then we will have a foundation upon which to build our ancient genealogy. 

I will post more information as it is received.

HaploGroup I1 Information

I have volunteered myself to take the Y-37 DNA test.  Kit came two weeks ago.  Consisted of three scrapers and three vials.  I was requested to lightly scrape/rub the insides of my cheeks for 30 seconds and then insert the DNA into a specially-prepared vial. 

The FamilyTreeDNA site reads:

This test is only for males. Results identify the deep ancestral origin of the paternal line. Depending on the uniqueness of the sample tested it will also point towards a more recent geographic region or country of origin. It includes a balanced panel of thirty-seven Y-chromosome Short Tandem Repeat, STR, markers. This is the recommended test to trace the paternal ancestry of males for genealogy purposes. The additional markers refine the predicted time period in which two individuals are related and eliminate unrelated matches. A perfect match at thirty-seven markers indicates the two individuals share common ancestry in recent times. A haplogroup is determined and backed by our SNP Assurance Program. When another person shows identical results within our database, if both parties have signed the Family Tree DNA Release Form, then we will inform them of the match. The customer will be able to download and print a personalized certificate and report describing the testing process. Over time, with the growth of the database and with the scientific advances in this field, the customer will see added information and matches in his personal record, at no extra cost.

The test results I receive will be the same results any of the following would receive:

Gerritt Kruizenga, Marvin Kruizenga, Russell Kruizenga Sr., Martin Kruizenga, Scott Kruizenga, Glenn Kruizenga, Jeremy Kruizenga, Jason Kruizenga, Russell Kruizenga Jr., Ben Kruizenga, Kevin Kruizenga, Adam Kruizenga, and Alister Kruizenga. 

The results are also the same for the Jacob Kruizenga line (males only).  Jacob was Gerritt's brother.

What are these results?  What does it all mean?

All male children receive the Y-DNA from their father, who received it from his father, who received it from his father, on up the generational ladder.

In other words, the first MALE ancestor we are aware of is Jacob Cornellis who chose the family name of KRUIZE.  His Y-DNA is in all of the fore-mentioned. 

Jacob Cornellis passed it on to his "other male children", and to Derk Jacobs Kruizinga, then to Jacob Derks Kruizinga, then to Derk Jacob Kruizenga, then to Gerritt and Jacob Kruizenga.

Our DNA codes would be identical.  And we will continue to pass this Y-DNA on as long as there are male children to carry on the name.

I have taken the DNA test because... I have hit a roadblock.

The Michigan Kruizenga's descend from Jacob Derks Kruizinga, the son of Derk Jacobs Kruizinga, the son of Jacob Cornellis. 

I do not know the identity of Jacob Cornellis' father.  His death certificate marks him as an illegitimate child.  I am hoping that there exists male children heirs of the father of Jacob Cornellis - whoever he might be.  Then my results will match this "mystery" heir.  And the genealogical roadblock will be removed.

I have started a DNA project through FamilyTreeDNA at a discounted price.

See my site at: http://kruizengaresearchproject.com for further details.