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Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Thu Oct 01, 2009 6:44 pm
by markarslan
Open to all Armenians, the Armenian DNA Project (http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Arm ... fault.aspx) is an important resource for those of us who are interested in researching their family history and/or deep ancestry. Mark Arslan and Peter Hrechdakian jointly coordinate this project.

DNA testing is one of the most useful tools Armenians can use for finding lost or distant relatives. We consider the best company for DNA testing to be Family Tree DNA (FTDNA): http://www.familytreedna.com/ . They can ship the test kits anywhere in the world.

FTDNA has a very large database of 265.000 individual records. They also provide the ideal place to host projects such as ours.

DNA testing can be a valuable tool for people with different surnames in determining whether they are genetic cousins, particularly considering the destruction of many Armenian genealogical records and the fact Armenian surnames were often based on the father’s first name, his city of birth, his occupation, or a distinctive human characteristic.

This project has two complementary sets of goals:
(1) Understand the genetic makeup and deep genetic history of the Armenian people. In the process, we hope to make sense of the historical impact of population migrations, invasions and expansions.
(2) Provide a tool for genealogists to trace their recent Armenian ancestors, augmenting historical documentation (primarily from countries of the diaspora - ship lists, censuses, naturalization records, vital records, etc.) and oral traditions. Descendants of known diaspora Armenians who were scattered all over the world in the past centuries might rediscover their roots. Descendants of Genocide orphans may be able to find long lost relatives. Descendants of Armenian families which became separated during and after World War I can have a way of finding each other at long last.

This project is open to individuals with direct paternal ancestors (yDNA) or direct maternal ancestors (mtDNA) of Armenian ancestry.

Men can test both their paternal DNA (Y-DNA) and maternal DNA (mtDNA or mitochondrial DNA). Since women do not inherit the Y-chromosome from their father, they need to recruit a male relative on their father’s side to analyse their paternal DNA line.

After you have been tested by FTDNA, you should only join the Armenian DNA Project if your father’s direct paternal line (father, grandfather, great-grandfather ...) and/or your mother’s direct maternal line (mother, grandmother, great-grandmother ...) is Armenian. Please do not join our group if you do not have direct Armenian ancestry in your family tree.

FTDNA offers a broad choice of tests : http://www.familytreedna.com/products.aspx

If you want to know about both your Armenian paternal and maternal ancestry, we recommend the Y-DNA37 + mtDNA Plus test. There’s a cheaper one, but it isn’t very informative. If cost is not an issue and you want to go all the way from the start, you should order the SuperDNA test. (Pricing is available on the project web site. They are not in this posting because they change from time to time.)

If you only want to know about your Armenian paternal ancestry, we recommend the Y-DNA 37 test. There’s a cheaper one, but it isn’t very informative. Here again, if you want to go all the way from the start, you should order the Y-DNA67 test.

If you only want to know about your Armenian maternal ancestry, we recommend the mtDNA Plus test. There’s a cheaper one, but it is not of much value. Once again, if you want to go all the way from the start, you can order the mtFull-Sequence test which is the most expensive and most complete single test available for order at FTDNA.

If we’ve managed to spark your interest, go ahead and take the plunge. You won’t regret it. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d me more than happy to help.

Mark Arslan – marslan@nc.rr.com
Peter Hrechdakian – kaylig@skynet.be

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:30 am
by Rhyndakos
Hello,

I have done a dna-test on my faternal side and apparently it must have an armenian origin. My faternal side's origins are in western Asia Minor and its Greek.

I have a very rare haplogroup (R2) and dont match any South Asians but only an Armenian (10/12 match) who is in your project as well (Karapetyan). He has already ordered an upgrade so that we will know very fast how close we are indeed. But we have to belong to the same cluster. I guess that my ancestor must have been an Armenian who migrated to the Byzantine Empire and got assimilated there...as it happened with many Armenians because of the same religion we share. Armenians and Greeks have always been allies and victims of the turkish barbarism.

Im looking forward to exchange with you people. Of course this armenian origin of my paternal side is not 100% sure since there are further matches neccessary but since this haplogroup is very rare outside of India and my markers are very distant to those of South Asians...the Armenian match can very well be a good indicator

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 7:36 am
by Bedros R.
Armenian DNA Project at Family Tree DNA: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/Arm ... fault.aspx

Statistics as of August 7th 2010: 328 members; 244 DNA kits processed; 197 paternal Y-DNA results & 79 maternal mtDNA results posted.

List of Surnames: Abadjian, Abovian, Abovyan, Abrahamian, Afrikyan, Aghamalian, Agnaghassian, Albarian, Anbarsoun, Andonian, Anonymous Armenians, Anooyian, Aprahamian, Arababian, Arabadjian, Armenia, Armenian, Aroyan, Arrathoon, Arslanian, Arutyunova, Atabekian, Atamian, Atchabahian, Atechian, Athnaseyan, Attarian, Avagian, Avakian, Avdoyan, Avedissian, Azirian, Babigan, Babigian, Baboodjian, Baboujian, Bagdasarov, Baghdoyan, Bargamian, Barkhordarian, Basralian, Bedenian, Bedrosian, Bedrossian, Berberian, Bertizlian, Beylerian, Bogosian, Chackerian, Chahnazarian, Chakerian, Chalookian, Chantikian, Chekijian, Cherkezian, Chilingirian, Chitchyan, Chitilian, Chobanian, Cholakian, Dallakyan, Dashkaldaranyan, Davidkhanian, Delian, Demirdjian, Demirjian, Der Bedrosian, Der Kaverian, Der-Tavitian, Didizian, Dishtchekenian, Dorian, Ekizian, Ekmekjian, Enikolopov, Enis-Kolopi Mamikonian, Eryan, Froonjian, Galstyan, Garabedian, Gasan-Dzhalalov, Ghazarbekian, Gheblikian, Giraco, Gulbenk, Gulian, Gulludjian, Gurdjian, Gurju, Gurunli, Guzelimian, Hachikian, Hadidian, Harbian, Haroutunian, Hasan-Jalal Dawla, Hasan-Jalalian, Hayrabedian, Hindian, Hovannisian, Hovsepian, Hrechdakian, Injeyan, Ishkhanian, Jamgotchian, Jendian, Jingrian, Kalantarian, Kaprielian, Karakashian, Karamanougian, Karamounkian, Kara-Murza, Karapetian, Karapetyan, Kassabian, Kazanjian, Kechichian, Kelechian, Kelian, Kengoian, Kevorkian, Khachatrian, Khanamirian, Khatchadourian, Kirazian, Kjderian, Kojoyian, Kossayian, Kotanjian, Kotchikian, Krikorian, Levonian, Leylekyan, Lourchigian, Madzoeff, Madzoian, Malek-Gharagozians, Malekian, Mamikonian, Mangassarian, Mangouni, Manoukian, Manoushagian, Manousher, Manuelian, Marangosian, Marangossian, Marashian, Mardakhanian, Mardoyan, Markarian, Matossian, Mayayan, Mazloumian, Mekenian, Melik, Melik-Adamyan, Melik-Agamalov, Melik-Aghamirian, Melik-Avakian, Melik-Babakhanova, Melik-Baghdassarian, Melik-Bakhsyan, Melik-Barkhudaryan, Melik-Grigoryan, Melik-Hovsepian, Melik-Israyelyan, Melik-Kasumyan, Melik-Martirosian, Melik-Mirzaians, Melik-Mushkambaryan, Melik-Parsadanyan, Melik-Shahnazarov, Melik-Shakhnazarov, Melik-Tangiyev, Melik-Yeganian, Melik-Yolchyan, Melkonian, Meneshian, Merjanian, Mirak, Mirakian, Movsesian, Movsessian, Mukhtar, Musayelyan, Nazarian, Nazaryan, Nersessian, Nishanian, Noradounkian, Norashkharian, Nor-Ashkharian, Oganessian, Ohanesian, Oolovgian, Orbelian, Osipyants, Paboudjian, Paloutzian, Panossian, Papazian, Petrosyan, Pinajian, Piroumanian, Rakiciyan, Rakidjian, Safarians, Sagharian, Saghdjian, Sakayan, Sanjian, Sargsyan, Sarkissian, Sarquis, Sassounian, Seraydarian, Shahgaldian, Shahinian, Shahnasarian, Shah-Nazarian, Shamanian, Sharoian, Shorvoghlian, Simonian, Sinanian, Sivacyan, Sourenian, Srabian, Stamboulian, Suny-Mirzaian, Tachjian, Tchakedjian, Tchekidjian, Tekirian, Terzian, Tngrian, Tokhmakhian, Tokmakian, Toroyan, Toumajan, Toumanoff, Urkumyan, Vardapetian, Vartanian, Vartian, Yacoubian, Yeranossian, Zarian, Zohrab, Zohrabyan

Villages / towns of origin of Armenian DNA Project members: http://www.arslanmb.org/ArmenianDNAProj ... hot_03.jpg

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=126565980701771

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Sun Jan 30, 2011 9:47 am
by Bedros R.
Updated 30 January 2011 list of surnames of people who have had their DNA tested by Family Tree DNA in the Armenian DNA Project: Abadjian, Abovian, Abovyan, Abrahamian, Adibekian, Afrikyan, Aghamalian, Agnaghassian, Albarian, Alemezian, Amatuni, Anaforian, Anbarsoun, Andonian, Anonymous Armenians, Anooyian, Apagian, Aprahamian, Arababian, Arabadjian, Ardzrooni, Argutinsky, Armenia, Armenian, Aroyan, Arrathoon, Arsenian, Arslanian, Arutyunova, Arzoian, Asbed, Atabekian, Atamian, Atchabahian, Atechian, Athnaseyan, Attarian, Avagian, Avakian, Avdoyan, Avedissian, Azadian, Azirian, Aznavwrian, Babigan, Babigian, Baboodjian, Baboujian, Bagdasarov, Baghdoyan, Bahlavouni, Bardakjian, Bargamian, Barkhordarian, Baron-Vartian, Basralian, Bedenian, Bedrosian, Bedrossian, Berberian, Bertizlian, Beylerian, Bodourian, Bogosian, Boudjikanian, Boyadjian, Chabanian, Chackerian, Chahnazarian, Chakerian, Chalookian, Chamassian, Chantikian, Chekijian, Cherkezian, Chilingirian, Chitchyan, Chitilian, Chitjian, Chobanian, Cholakian, Chuchian, Dallakyan, Dashkaldaranyan, Davidian, Davidkhanian, Davitian, Davtian, Deguirmendjian, Delian, Demirdjian, Demirjian, Der Bedrosian, Der Bedrossian, Der Kaverian, Der Sarkissian, Derluguian, Der-Tavitian, Derunian, Didizian, Dishtchekenian, Djagharbekian, Djerejian, Dolukhanov, Dorian, Ekizian, Ekmekji, Ekmekjian, Elchian, Enikolopov, Enis-Kolopi Mamikonian, Eryan, Eurejian, Fattal, Froonjian, Galstyan, Garabedian, Gasan-Dzhalalov, Gavroian, Ghazarbekian, Ghazarian, Gheblikian, Giraco, Gulbenk, Gulian, Gulludjian, Gurdjian, Gurju, Gurunli, Guzelimian, Habosian, Hachikian, Hadidian, Hajian, Hamparzoomian, Hampian, Harbian, Haroutunian, Hasan-Jalal Dawla, Hasan-Jalalian, Hayrabedian, Hindian, Horozyan, Hovannisian, Hovsepian, Hrechdakian, Injeyan, Ishkhanian, Jamgotchian, Jendian, Jingrian, Kalantar, Kalantarian, Kalenjian, Kandaharian, Kaprielian, Karagavoorian, Karakashian, Karamanougian, Karamounkian, Kara-Murza, Karapetian, Karapetyan, Karnagelian, Kassabian, Katcherian, Kayian, Kazanjian, Keakhkedjian, Kechichian, Kelechian, Kelian, Kengoian, Kerestedjian, Kevorkian, Khachanian, Khachatrian, Khanamirian, Khanoyan, Khartachian, Khatchadourian, Khatchadrian, Khorozian, Kilejian, Kirazian, Kitabjian, Kjderian, Kniassian, Kocharian, Kojoyian, Kossayian, Kotanjian, Kotchikian, Kotcholosian, Krikorian, Lazian, Levonian, Leylekyan, Lourchigian, Madzoeff, Madzoian, Maksoudian, Malek-Gharagozians, Malekian, Malek-Stanians, Mamikonian, Mangassarian, Mangouni, Manoukian, Manoushagian, Manousher, Manuelian, Marangosian, Marangossian, Marashian, Mardakhanian, Mardirosian, Mardoyan, Markarian, Martinoosh, Matossian, Mayayan, Mazloumian, Mekenian, Melik, Melik-Adamyan, Melik-Agamalov, Melik-Aghamirian, Melik-Avakian, Melik-Babakhanova, Melik-Bagdasaryan, Melik-Baghdassarian, Melik-Bakhsyan, Melik-Barkhudaryan, Melik-Bejanian, Melik-Grigoryan, Melik-Hovsepian, Melik-Israyelyan, Melik-Kasumyan, Melik-Martirosian, Melik-Marutov, Melik-Mirzaians, Melik-Mushkambaryan, Melik-Ohanyan, Melik-Parsadanyan, Melik-Petrosyan, Melik-Sarkisov, Melik-Shahnazarov, Melik-Shakhnazarov, Melik-Simonian, Melik-Tangiyev, Melik-Vartanian, Melik-Yeganian, Melik-Yolchyan, Melkonian, Meneshian, Merjanian, Mikaelian, Minasian, Minassian, Mirak, Mirakian, Movsesian, Movsessian, Mukhtar, Musayelyan, Nalbandian, Nazarbekian, Nazarbekyan, Nazarian, Nazaryan, Nercessian, Nersessian, Nishanian, Noradounkian, Norashkharian, Nor-Ashkharian, Nordiguian, Nourian, Nouribekian, Oganessian, Ohanesian, Ohannessian, Oolovgian, Orbelian, Orbelyan, Ormanian, Osipyants, Ourghanjian, Paboudjian, Paloutzian, Panossian, Papazian, Parsadanian, Petrosyan, Pinajian, Piroumanian, Rakiciyan, Rakidjian, Saatjian, Safarians, Sagharian, Saghdjian, Sakayan, Sanamyan, Sanjian, Sargsyan, Sarkissian, Sarquis, Sassouni, Sassounian, Selian, Seraydarian, Shahgaldian, Shahinian, Shahnasarian, Shah-Nazarian, Shamanian, Sharoian, Shekerdemian, Shemmessian, Shorvoghlian, Simonian, Sinanian, Sivacyan, Sourenian, Srabian, Stamboulian, Suny-Mirzaian, Tachjian, Tasci, Tavookjian, Tchakedjian, Tchekidjian, Tchilingirian, Tekirian, Terzian, Tngrian, Tokat, Tokhmakhian, Tokmakian, Tololyan, Toorian, Torigian, Toroyan, Toumajan, Toumanian, Toumanoff, Tour-Sarkissian, Ucari, Urkumyan, Vardapetian, Vartanian, Vartian, Vartparonian, Vrouyr, Yacoubian, Yardemian, Yeranossian, Yeremyan, Youssefians, Zarian, Zohrab, Zohrabyan

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Fri May 06, 2011 5:52 pm
by rizzadaile
Open to all Armenians. The Armenian DNA Project is an important resource for Armenians researching their family history and their deep ancestry through genetic testing.

DNA testing can be a valuable tool for people with different surnames in determining whether they are genetic cousins, particularly considering the destruction of many Armenian genealogical records and the fact Armenian surnames were often based on the father’s first name, his city of birth, his occupation, or a distinctive human characteristic.

By reaching thousands of years into the past, this project also aims to find genetic traces of both the ancient peoples whose descendants make up the current Armenian population (Armens, Colchians, Hattians, Hayasa, Hayk, Hittites, Hurrians, Kaskians, Luwians, Mitanni, Mushkis, Pala, Phrygians, Urartians, etc.) and the ancient invaders who conquered or passed through the Armenian lands (Assyrians, Gamrik-Gimirri-Cimmerians, Galatian Celts, Greeks, Parthians, Romans, Scythians, Macedonians, Medes, Persians, etc.)

This project is open to individuals with direct paternal ancestors (Y-DNA) or direct maternal ancestors (mtDNA) of Armenian ancestry.

You should only join the Armenian DNA Project if your father’s direct paternal line (father, grandfather, great-grandfather ...) and/or your mother’s direct maternal line (mother, grandmother, great-grandmother ...) is Armenian. Please do not join this group if you do not have direct Armenian ancestry in your family tree. Merely having a close match, especially at 12 markers, to a project member does not meet the requirements for joining the Armenian DNA project. If you do wish to enquire about a close match in the project, contact the administrators.

Men can test both their paternal DNA (Y-DNA) and maternal DNA (mtDNA or mitochondrial DNA). Since women do not inherit the Y-chromosome from their father, they need to recruit a male relative on their father’s side to analyse their paternal DNA line.

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 6:47 pm
by Lindsay
Have just ordered the FamilyFinder DNA test from FTDNA. As my Armenian heritage comes from my maternal grandfather and my maternal line is Eastern European not Armenian I am unable to join the current project. I was wondering though if there is any prospect in adding in a FamilyFinder component to the project. I am in the process of trying to reconstruct my family beyond my g-g-grandparents generation (from Kesserig and Hogu, Kharpert). Have been successful in determining several new descendants of my g-g-grandparents siblings, but have had no luck or bits of information to take me back any farther.

Also, just wondered if many members of the project have also tested for the FF test as well?


Thanks,

Lindsay

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 8:17 pm
by Bedros R.
Dear Lindsay,

You can most certainly join, we will just not display your DNA results on our public page. To be honest with you, not many people ordered Family Finder in our project - I'd say about 20 people max. Have any Armenians shown up as matches?

You might want to keep a tab on the Houshamadyan Project: http://www.houshamadyan.org/en/home.html. They should be covering your ancestral villages / towns in the next year or so.

Best wishes,
Peter Hrechdakian
Volunteer Administrator of the Armenian DNA Project at Family Tree DNA

p.s. Though I live in Brussels, Belgium, I am currently in Montréal to give a lecture on Armenian DNA on Wednesday 25 May at the AGBU Montréal Centre.

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 6:31 pm
by Lindsay
Dear Peter,

Thank you for that information, I was unaware of the Houshamadyan Project - I'll add that to my list of resources. I've thought about talking my uncle into going forward with the Y-STR test (and I could handle his account, since he's not all that interested - I'm the self-appointed family historian). Our surname (Manzoian/Menzoian) is very rare, so I am curious as to not only its origins but also if we are related to other clans from Kesserig.

I am still waiting for my results. I'm in batch 414, so my results are expected 7/20/2011 (hopefully earlier!). I will let you know if any Armenians come up as matches.

I know for certain that none of my known cousins have done any DNA testing, so any matches would almost certainly be new branches. There are several Manzoian/Menzoian/Menzoyan families (in the US and France) that I am trying to determine if/how we might be related, though I've only talked to one directly about doing the DNA test and he's curious - but again I could only do the FF test, so we'll see. I sent him a link to the FTDNA project page.


Lindsay

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:50 pm
by Bedros R.
Hi Lindsay,

Good luck with your research! Do get back in touch when you have your family finder results.

Last week I gave a lecture on Armenian DNA in Montréal. It was sponsored by the AGBU and Hamazkayin. It was quite a successful event with more than 100 people in attendance.

Best,
Peter

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 7:27 pm
by Lindsay
Dear Peter,
I have received my FF results today - so excited, over a month earlier than anticipated (not sure why)!

According to the population finder, here's my Armenian heritage:

Middle East Iranian, Adygei, Druze 27.60% ±3.93%

No Armenian matches yet though.

I will keep you updated and please let me know how I should "join" the Armenian DNA project - can I just join it like normal from the My FTDNA page or not since I don't have Y-DNA or mtDNA tests?


Lindsay

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 10:11 pm
by Bedros R.
Hi Lindsay,

Happy for you! Just look up "Join Projects" in your home page and search for Armenian DNA Project in "Dual Geographic Projects".

Once you find us, all you have to do is click on "Join."

Looking forward to seeing your results from the inside.

Best,
Peter

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 6:36 am
by Bedros R.
Lindsay,

You're in! The Armenian component of your ancestry shows up very clearly.

You do not have any matches on Family Finder because few of our 500 project members have ordered this product.

We do have two people from Hoghe who discovered they shared a common paternal ancestor. One is a Koojoolian, the other an Andonian.

We also have one person whose maternal line is from Kesserig (Richard Hovannisian).

None of the three have ordered Family Finder. They only tested their paternal Y-DNA line and maternal mtDNA line.

We should switch this exchange to regular email now.

Best,
Peter

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:55 am
by Dr_Arathoon
Any J2a4 on this forum ?
or U3

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 10:22 pm
by Bedros R.
ARPA Institute Lecture on "Armenian DNA: Ancient, Unique(?) And Relevant"

Lecturer:
Peter Hrechdakian, Volunteer Administrator of the Armenian DNA Project at Family Tree DNA.

Time:
Thursday, July 21 · 7:30pm - 10:30pm

Location:
Merdinian Armenian School, 13330 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, CA

Abstract:
The Armenian DNA Project is an important resource for Armenians researching their family history and their deep ancestry through genetic testing. By reaching thousands of years into the past, we aim to understand the genetic makeup and deep genetic history of the Armenian people. In the process, we hope to make sense of the historical impact of population migrations, invasions and expansions. DNA testing also helps people interested in genealogy trace their ancestors and find relatives. This is particularly important considering the variability of Armenian last names and the destruction of many genealogical records of Ottoman Armenians during the Genocide. This lecture will start by giving an overview of ancestry research through DNA. It will review the DNA results of Armenians tested by the project and by academic researchers. It will finish with an exposé of the most important recent findings which touch upon the following questions: What is an Armenian from a genetic point of view? Is there a typical Armenian genetic group? Are there regional genetic variations amongst Armenians? Are Armenians native to the region or not? If not, where could they have come from… and when? What languages did the ancient Armenians speak? How do Armenians compare genetically to other ethnic, religious and linguistic groups from the region?

Re: Armenian DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA.com

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:18 am
by elired
delete