Merrill DNA Genealogy

Merrill DNA Genealogy

Deane Merrill

26 November 2008

There are about 15 human Y-DNA haplogroups. These are subpopulations having specific genetic mutations that occurred up to 60,000 years ago. Broad prehistoric migrations have been traced by determining the prevalence of individual haplogroups in specific geographic regions. See Y-DNA Haplogroup Descriptions.

At least two haplogroups, G and R1B, are associated with the Merrill/Merrell surname.

This page is not up to date. In particular, in October 2008 it was discovered that Reuben Merrill b.1785 is a descendant of Thomas Merrill of Saybrook CT. Thomas Merrill is NOT related to Nathaniel Merrill of Newbury MA as previously reported by some authors.

G Haplogroup (6/28/07)

The G haplogroup arose in the Middle East about 20,000 years ago. Today it occurs most frequently (up to 70%) in the Caucasus region. It is relatively rare (less than a few percent) in Western Europe. Interestingly, it is the haplotype of Nathaniel (1) Merrill 1601‑1654/55, who emigrated from Suffolk County, England to Newbury, Essex County, Massachusetts in 1634. Of approximately 36 Merrills (or Merrells) who so far have had Y-DNA tests, 16 are of haplogroup G. They have nearly identical DNA, proving their descent from a recent common ancestor of Nathaniel(1). Nathaniel(1)'s descendants have been thoroughly studied with conventional genealogical methods. (See the Merrill Memorial and Steve Merrill's and Jack Merrill's and Deane Merrill's web sites.). Fifteen of the 16 G haplogroup Merrills reside in the US, and one in the UK. Twelve of the 15 US residents have "paper trails" which confirm their descent from Nathaniel(1). They appear in the first 12 columns of pedigree_tree.pdf .

Jack Merrill states that Thomas Merrill of Saybrook, Connecticut was a first cousin of Nathaniel Merrill b.1601 of Newbury, Massachusetts. The supposed connection is as follows.

John Merrill abt.1545-1599/1600 m.1570 Prudence Bird 1548-1609

Thomas Merrill bef.1580-1625/6 m.1595 Rose Pearson 1580-1650

Thomas Merrill b.aft.1576, d.1711 Saybrook CT, m.bef.1646, wife unknown

Nathaniel Merrill 1571-1626/7 m.1591/2 Mary Blacksoll 1574-1624

Nathaniel Merrill 1601-1654/5 m.1633 Susannah _____ abt.1610-1672/3

Thomas died in Saybrook in 1711. His descendants are fairly well documented, but nothing is known of his origins. We think he is probably the Thomas "Merrells" who was baptized in Hartford CT in 1646, son of Thomas "Meeriels". This elder Thomas is believed to be a cousin of Nathaniel Merrill of Whersted, Suffolk and Newbury, MA, but there is no evidence of this, apart from the fact that Nathaniel had a cousin named Thomas, who is mentioned in their grandfather's will in Whersted, dated December 1600. [Gary Merrill, 5/22/07].

The relationship has not yet been confirmed by DNA testing. A living descendant of Thomas is planning to be tested (May 2007).

R1B Haplogroup (11/16/08)

The R1B haplogroup arose in Europe about 25,000 years ago. It is the most common haplogroup in European populations.

Merrill DNA Project Update, by Gary Merrill 9/20/2006

Chronology of Selected Correspondence

Y-DNA Markers for surnames Merrill/Merrell (all haplotypes)

Values of markers from Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation smgf.org (9/21/08)

Values of markers from dna.ancestry.com (11/26/08)

Values of markers from ysearch.org (11/23/08)

private files

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