Orangeburgh District DNA Project

We encourage participation in this project from everyone with ancestors who lived in the original Orangeburgh District in South Carolina. The area includes the modern counties of Orangeburg, Lexington, Calhoun, Barnwell, Bamberg and parts of Aiken and Allendale. The old Orangeburgh District first experienced significant European settlement in the mid-1730’s with the establishment of a series of inland townships. Settlers included substantial numbers of Swiss and later German immigrants as well as traders and other settlers from existing coastal towns in South Carolina and other English colonies to the north.

The study incorporates the full range of DNA tests available through Family Tree DNA. These include the male line tests (yDNA), female line test (mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA), and the autosomal DNA (atDNA) test known as the Family Finder test. Family Tree DNA and other websites offer tutorials and other helpful resources for understanding these tests.

Our DNA Project has already confirmed and added to our knowledge of Orangeburgh District families. As more people participate we expect to discover even more useful insights. Possible outcomes include answering questions about unidentified female lines, adoptions, and related family groups. Participation in other surname studies can be complemented by participation in this study.

This website reports results for participants while maintaining the anonymity of individual test subjects. The yDNA and mtDNA pages on this website show haplogroup results and ancestral information for project participants by surname and kit number. Where available additional information can be found after clicking on the orange links on these pages.

Autosomal DNA results (FF) are more sensitive, and since they may reflect medical conditions and other hereditary attributes, they cannot be made generally available. For privacy reasons, we believe this decision is necessary. In the near future, we will consider other options that would better alleviate privacy concerns within the Society’s membership.

Of course, individual Family Finders results can be viewed directly through your account on the FTDNA website.

Background

The Y-DNA test helps to trace your direct paternal line (your father, his father, etc). It is most effective in helping to identify distant common ancestors rather than more recent ones. Only males can order a yDNA test.

The mtDNA test helps to trace your direct maternal line (your mother, her mother, etc). As with the yDNA test, it is most effective in helping to identify more distant common ancestors rather than more recent ones. Both males and females can order a mtDNA test.

The Family Finder test is used to trace all of the lines of your family, both paternal and maternal, and all those in between (i.e. paternal grandmother’s father’s line). It is most effective at identifying potential relationships within the most recent five generations but may provide useful results out to seven generations. Both males and females can order a Family Finder test.

Goals

DNA is a powerful tool for family history studies, although one with some limitations. For example, yDNA matches across surnames can be “accidental,” especially when common DNA groups are involved and less than 25 markers are tested.

(They are not actually accidental but converge over time within a large group producing the deceptive appearance of a relatively close match.)

Many families have lived together in the old Orangeburgh District area for several centuries, and linkages between these families can be very complex. This DNA project permits convenient comparisons of yDNA, mtDNA, and atDNA results to help resolve problems associated with unidentified ancestors. In all cases, comparison with known lineages and known pedigrees must supplement DNA studies.

That is the purpose of this project, and this strategy is most effective. But, we still need your help in breaking down more of our ancestral brick walls. By participating in this project, your contributions make a difference! And, please know that everyone has something useful to contribute!

How to Participate

If you have already tested at Family Tree DNA

Go to your personal Family Tree DNA webpage and click on “Join Projects” under the “My Projects” heading on the left. On the index page that will appear, click on “Orangeburgh District” under “Dual Geographical Projects.” Once you’ve joined the Orangeburgh District Project, Contact Us for information on how to submit your Pedigree/Lineage Information.

If you have not tested at Family Tree DNA

To join the Orangeburgh District DNA Project and order a test kit at a discount, click on the link below and follow the instructions. The kit can be shipped either to you, or directly to the person for whom you are purchasing.

Order Test Kit

Once you’ve joined the Orangeburgh District Project and ordered your test kit, Contact Us for information on how to submit your Pedigree/Lineage Information.