z9919 A-1

There is another DNA project that is researching our group it is the z9919 project. Our Mid Argyll Kinship group is a part of this study, we are designated z9919 A-1 in their nomenclature. 

The z9919 cluster is a relatively large genetic cluster with at least 300 members so far, well-known for their characteristic 459=9-9, YCA=19-19 pattern (double 9s at the 459 marker, and double 19s at the YCAII marker).

 

For those interesting this is the 9919 and RecLOH Project under Family Tree.  I joined as it will help with our project as well.  I see some interesting data developing around this haplogroup.  I think we are dealing with an indigenous Celtic tribal group located initially in central Scotland, from the Firth of Clyde east to Dundee area. 

 

I will post news on this as it comes in.

Burial Slab of Donnchadh Ruadh Mac Allein

 

The burial slab of Donnchadh Mór Mac Allein Mhic Lachlainn. Better known in history as Donnchadh Mac Eain, or in English, Duncan McCain.   He was active from the late 1460s until circa 1514.  He was a son of Ailean Mac Eáin Riabhach.  Ailean was given a charter to a large holding of land in Glassary in 1436 by his cousin and the overall Taoiseach of Clann Lachlainn, Eáin Mac Lachlainn.  The exact nature of the kinship between Ailean and Eáin is not known, the term cousin had a very broad meaning in the Gaelic world in the fifteenth century.  While the kinship connection is a mystery, there is no doubt of the clan affiliation.  Ailean held his lands through Eáin Mac Lachlainn and his descendants continued this practice in both the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.