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Frantz / Frants / Frontz
and Similar Spelled or Sounding Surnames
Genetic Genealogy Y-DNA Surname Project

(Primarily Soundex Code F653)


Filename:   frantzdna.htm

Internet:   http://www.kerchner.com/frantz/frantzdna.htm

Key Dates:  Project Started:              8 Feb 2004
            Webpage Created:              9 Feb 2004
            Last Updated:                25 Nov 2007

By:         Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.
            3765 Chris Drive
            Emmaus PA 18049-1544 USA

Notice:     Copyright 2004-2007 Charles F. Kerchner, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
            Establishing links to this page is encouraged and permitted.
            But, reuse or reprinting it in it's entirety or in part in other
            websites, or in any other media or publication, without my
            permission, is not permitted. Printing a hard copy of this
            report for your own personal, non-commercial use is permitted.

Subj:       A project to determine the unique Y-DNA chromosome markers for
            various unlinked Frantz and similar named family groups in
            the USA and to determine if these various descendants of various
            immigrants have one or more common male ancestors in Europe
            in the last 400-600 years and if possible to find their
            ancestral home villages or regions in Europe.

Keywords:   GENETICS GENEALOGY DNA Y CHROMOSOME ANCESTOR FRANTZ SURNAME PROJECT

Some early Frantz progenitors in America:

JACOB: Born 1722, s/o Peter Frantz and Anna Maria Hahn, of Schalbach, Vinstingen, Lorraine, France. Jacob Frantz died about 1764 in what is now Lehigh County PA. Jacob is the grandson of Peter Frantz and Jeanne Hinsch
GEORG: Born 10 Feb 1758 in or near Lower Saucon Township, Northampton Co PA, s/o Johan Paulus Frantz (born 1733 of Schalbach, Lorraine, Frantz) and Anna Maria Schall. This Georg Frantz is thus the grandson of Paules and Anna Maria (nee Herter) Frantz. Some descendants of this Georg Frantz went to Canada.
PAULES: Born 16 Sep 1685, s/o Peter Frantz and Jeanne Hinsch, of Schalbach, Alsace-Lorraine, France. Paulus married Anna Maria Herter. Arrived at Philadelphia PA on 30 Aug 1737 on Ship Samuel. Paulus died about 13 Oct 1766 in what is now Lehigh County PA.
HENRY: Born about 1760. Of Lebanon County PA. Killed by Indians.
JACOB?: Probably born in early 1700's in Palatinate or Switzerland. Settled at Oregon, Lancaster Co PA.
WILLIAM:William Otto Frantz was born in 1810 in PA. He died 14 Feb 1894 in Baltimore Co MD. He married Rebecca Gibson.
HEINRICH:Heinrich (Henry) Frantz was born about 1716 in Diedendorf, Alsace, Germany, and died about 1777 in Northampton County PA. He was married to Susanna Girardin. Several descendants settled north of the Blue Mountain in Monroe and Luzerne Counties of PA.
DANIEL:Daniel Frantz born 1821 in Monroe (then Northampton) Co PA, died in 1884 in Monroe Co PA.
LUDWIG:Ludwig Frantz of Lancaster Co PA. Born before 1721 in Prussia. Arrived at Philadelphia PA on 5 Oct 1737 on Ship Billinder Townsend. Married 21 May 1744 to Maria Elizabetha Everlin in Lancaster, PA. Died after May 1752 and is possibly buried in Hempfield Twsp, Lancaster Co PA.


Some spelling variations found in ancestry records of known descendants: Frantz, Frants, Frontz, Frans.

Learn more about using DNA to aide genealogical research.
Download My "Genetics & Genealogy - An Introduction" Report

The Beginning and Project Evolution

The Frantz Y-DNA surname project was started in Feb 2004 in an effort to use the latest in Genetic Genealogy tools to investigate the relationship, if any, between the early Frantz immigrants and to provide Y-DNA reference marker sets for each Frantz clan to aide in placing various descendants into the proper Frantz immigrant descendant clan. Since many of these early immigrants had the same or similar names and also went by what we would now consider their middle names, researchers unfamiliar with early PA German research should read this report on 18th Century PA German Naming Customs. You must be a Frantz surnamed male or if female be sponsoring a Frantz surnamed male such as as brother, father, or uncle in order to join this project since only males carry the Y chromosome.


Initial Test Results and Analysis

To date twelve males have ordered a sample kit for Y-DNA testing and comparison. Full or partial Y-DNA haplotype marker data has been received back from the lab for twelve individuals. In the first cluster of Frantz results, kits 11231, 31509, 35310, 35663, and 77004 matched exactly for 12 markers and very closely on 37 marker indicating they share a common male ancestor in a genealogically relevant time frame, i.e., the last 500 years. Another kit, 66792, matched closely with only 1 marker off by 1 step for the first 25 markers. Kits 36375 and 64330, did not match each other or have a near match with the first cluster of five. Thus kits 36375 and 64330 do not share a common male ancestor with each other or the first group/cluster within a genealogically relevant time frame. But they are suggested to be in the same major haplogroup, i.e., R1b as the first cluster. Thus the common ancestor is probably in some time frame of from 2000-10,000 years ago. The initial results for kits 46677, 46744, and 55853 respectively, also did not match the first "cluster" or the other Frantz male lines tested so far. And in fact the kits 46677, 46744, and 55853 are so different from the first cluster that the haplogroup assignment algorithm at FamilyTreeDNA has suggested that these Frantz male lines are in the haplogroup "G2" for kit 46677 and 55853 and haplogroup "I" for kit 46744. Thus these Frantz male lines tested would not be related biologically on the direct male line to the haplogruop R1b Frantz lines for at least 10,000 years per the current science on this, and possibly maybe 10-40,000 years. In order to try to differentiate the first four Frantz male individuals in the matching cluster more precisely and to get a better estimate as to the time frame for the most recent common male ancestor for the first Frantz male line cluster, additional markers have been ordered bringing the total markers tested up to 37 and eventually up to 67 markers. As expected some minor differences were observed when the haplotypes were extended to 37 markers. These slight differences are good and can be used to sort future Frantz individuals who are tested and who are related to this "cluster of four" into the proper descent branch. Kits 46677, 46744, and 55853 haplotypes have also been extended to 37 markers. Based on the YDNA testing done so far there are now identified five biologically separate and distinct YDNA Y chromosome haplotype clusters (patterned set of numbers from the YDNA test) for the ten males with results todate. This is an initial report and more will be sent to participants by email along with more comments.

For more on Haplotype vs. Haplogroup, read this report I wrote: Haplotype vs. Haplogroup.

It was never known for certain that all the early Frantz immigrant lines were related. This unified theory was suggested and implied by some early research work because some lines were studied and reported about in the same Frantz research reports. These errors probably came about because the lines studied had the same surname, used many of the same given names for their children, and lived near each other in PA. Also sometimes lines can be legally related but the Y chromosome markers prove the lines are not biologically related. For more about how male lines which historically may have been suggested to be legally related could end up with such different haplotypes, and/or being in a completely different haplogroup, other than because the very early historical genealogical research being completely wrong, see my Introduction to Genetics & Genealogy report ... especially the section titled, Risks and Rewards of DNA Testing.

At this point however, I am leaning towards the belief that prior genealogical research suggesting that one or more of these separate YDNA test results groups are related via the male line is suspect and that the early historical genealogies could have become intertwined due to the names being the same and they just happened to be living near each other and thus some surmised genalogical relationships could be in error. The YDNA tests certainly show several biologically separate and distinct Frantz line groups, per these tests. A 3rd, 4th, or 5th Frantz cousin should be tested for participants kit number 36375, 46744, 64042, and 64330 to "validate" their haplotypes and gain more data. For more on the validating process when groups with the same name don't match up as expected, see my Kerchner Surname Success Story. The haplotype pattern for the largest group of Frantz haplogroup R1b males tested has been validated already based on the very near matching haplotype data set for them and more importantly to the deduced ancestral haplotype for that group. Kit 46677 and 55853 matched thus that validates the haplotype for William Frantz descendants group. We need now to validate the other haplotypes by testing a known distant cousin to each and getting a close match for those cousins to the current participants. That "validated" data for each haplotype pattern will help us come to conclusions with higher confidence in order to eliminate the other possible causal events for non-matching haplotype patterns of this major difference that we have observed, i.e., completely different haplogroups and no biological recent common male ancestor for over 10,000 years between some of these lines.

I strongly encourage additional Frantz surnamed males to volunteer to join this project. Particular for the Frantz family decendants of those which settled in Lancaster Co PA and Monroe Co PA. Your contribution of a sample to this project for haplotyping will be very helpful to all present Frantz genealogists and for future generations of Frantz family researchers. This is a unique way that you can help the Frantz genealogical efforts and leave a genealogical legacy to the future. While Frantz females biologically cannot provide a Y-DNA sample they can sponsor and encourage their grandfather, great-uncle, father, uncle, brother, or a cousin to do so.


37 Marker Frantz Project Test Result Data Excel Spreadsheet

67 Marker Frantz Project Y Results Data Displayed on FamilyTreeDNA Hosted Webpage


First 12 Markers (Low Resolution) Test Results
Provides a low resolution haplotype and is used to define one's haplogroup.

FamilyTreeDNA.com Y-DNA Results
DYS Locus Allele Values/DYS Marker STR "Repeats" Numbers
Results from Initial (Low Resolution) 12 Marker Panel DYS Loci/Markers

 

 

 

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

 

Kit#

Participant's
Surname
Spelling
& Geographic
Locale of
Participant

Early Known
Ancestor per
Family Research

DYS

393

DYS

390

DYS

394
aka 19

DYS

391

DYS

385a

DYS

385b

DYS

426

DYS

388

DYS

439

DYS

389-1

DYS

392

DYS

389-2

Haplo-
group
or
closest
suggested
Haplo-
group

11231

Frantz
Pennsylvania

JACOB

13

24

14

10

11

14

12

12

10

13

13

29

R1b1
Suggested

66792

Frantz
New Jersey

JACOB

13

25

14

10

11

14

12

12

10

13

13

29

R1b1
Suggested

77004

Frantz
Texas

JACOB

13

24

14

10

11

14

12

12

10

13

13

29

R1b1
Suggested

35310

Frantz
California

HENRY
born abt 1760

13

24

14

10

11

14

12

12

10

13

13

29

R1b1
SNP Tested
P25+

31509

Frantz
Maryland

HENRY
born abt 1760

13

24

14

10

11

14

12

12

10

13

13

29

R1b1
Suggested

91073

Frantz
Pennsylvania

HENRY
born abt 1760

13

24

14

10

11

14

12

12

10

13

13

29

R1b1
Suggested

35663

Frantz
Canada

GEORG
born 1758

13

24

14

10

11

14

12

12

10

13

13

29

R1b1
SNP Tested
P25+

36375

Frantz
Massachusetts

JACOB?(4)

13

24

14

10

12

13

12

12

11

12

13

28

R1b
Suggested

64042

Frantz
Pennsylvania

TBD

13

24

14

10

11

15

13

12

11

13

13

28

R1b
Suggested

64330

Frantz
New Jersey

DANIEL
born 1821 PA
of Monroe Co PA

12

22

14

10

11

14

11

12

12

13

13

29

R1b1
Suggested

46677

Frantz
Maryland

WILLIAM

14

22

15

10

14

15

11

13

11

13

11

31

G2
Suggested

55853

Frantz
Pennsylvania

WILLIAM

14

22

15

10

14

15

11

13

11

13

11

31

G2
SNP Tested
P15+

46744

Frantz
Pennsylvania

HEINRICH

14

23

16

11

15

15

11

13

11

12

12

28

I
Suggested

TBD

Need
Volunteer


LUDWIG
of Lancaster Co PA

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
Notes:
1. Cells with dashes in them, if any, indicates we are still awaiting test results.
2. Genetic test results for this participant did not match expected results of prior historical genealogical research evidence.
3. TBD = To Be Determined.
4. Ancestor was thought to be a Frantz named Jacob but Y-DNA marker data does not closely match other Frantz participants from s.e. PA ancestral group. Possibly a different Frantz line. More data needed for this group. Other distant cousin Frantz males in this group need to be tested.


Combined 37 Marker Test Result Data for Frantz Project

67 Marker Frantz Project Test Result Data Displayed on FamilyTreeDNA Hosted Webpage


Any male Frantz, Frants, Frontz or other phonetic spelling variations of this germanic surname(s) wishing to learn more about this project and/or possibly participating in this project, please feel free to Contact Me.

How and Where Do You Order a Y-DNA Sample Collection Kit

You must be a Frantz surnamed male or be sponsoring a Frantz surnamed male in order to join this project since only males carry the Y chromosome. I selected FamilyTreeDNA as the company to provide the testing services since they were the first company to my knowledge to specialize in DNA testing for genealogical purposes and also because they provided testing of the most markers for the least cost and other early project leaders spoke highly of their results. But as more testing companies entered this new industry, and since I am an engineer by education and experience I decided to also do my own quality control check by having my Y-DNA tested by another independent genetics testing company, Ancestry.com, which entered this field about a year after my project started. The allele value test results from Ancestry.com for the DYS markers which are used in common by FamilyTreeDNA's lab and Ancestry.com's lab matched exactly. This confirmed to my satisfaction that the quality and reliability of the STR allele values being obtained and reported by FamilyTreeDNA's lab were accuate and reliable. In addition to FamilyTreeDNA's lab results being completely accurate and reliable, the company personnel are very user friendly and easy to work with and communicate with, both by email and by telephone with a real live, knowledgeable person to answer your questions. You get an email notice of your results as soon as they are done as well as getting a written report and certificate with the results sent by postal mail. You also get email notices of other individuals in their database which you may have matched initially as well as in the future as more people are tested. FamilyTreeDNA also has an outstanding website which clearly displays your results and provides extensive information to be used in the interpretation of the results. FamilyTreeDNA also stores your DNA sample for 25 years at no additional charge at their lab for convenient use in future desired tests. Therefore, FamilyTreeDNA is my preferred and recommended organization for managing a Y-DNA surname project. And based on my experiences with both organizations, I also recommend FamilyTreeDNA as the best organization to choose for anyone considering starting a similar Y-DNA project of their own.

DNA samples are collected by yourself in your home using a simple inner cheek swab. It sort of works just like a tooth brush. No blood sample is required. Click here to see a sample test kit. Here is a photo journal of the sampling process demonstrated by Mr. Bob Dorsey who is part of another unrelated surname project. But it very nicely and humorously shows the process so I included the link here. Check it out. Also, to learn more about the DNA collection and lab processing procedures view this animated presentation provided by FamilyTreeDNA. You may also wish to review the various type tests which are available from the test laboratory, FamilyTreeDNA.com. The "25 Marker Y-DNA" kit is the recommended kit you need to order for participation in this project. The mininum kit for participation is the "12 Marker Y-DNA" kit, but it is not recommended, due to the much lower resolution as compared to using 25 markers. Review the various product kits and list prices. Discounts are available to participants in this project when the test kit is ordered through me as the project coordinator.

Contact Me And Join The Project


Benefits of Participation

Some benefits of participation are:
1. You identify the genetic genealogy profile of your male family line.
2. You may identify your roots when traditional documentary genealogical research methods have failed.
3. Your results may identify information offering clues of where to focus and pursue additional traditional documentary genealogical research.
4. You may be able to verify once and for all that your traditional documentary genealogical work is accurate and scientifically verified.
5. You may get clues or help others get clues as to the village of origin in Europe of their immigrant ancestor.
6. If you live in Europe with a similar surname to one of our current participants you may find descendants and cousins living in the USA you did not know you had.
7. Your DNA will be preserved for the future at no additional cost. Thus, you leave something for posterity for use by future members of your family. This is especially important for older members of a family, particularly if that older person is the last surviving male member of the family. Note: if that elderly person cannot afford the test another family member can sponsor and pay for the test.
8. You may identify new genetic cousins you did not know you had.
9. You will be joining the ranks of the select few early Genetics and Genealogy Pioneers and will have the satisfaction of knowing that you are an early participant in a state-of-the-art project which is contributing to the world knowledge base for this new and exciting field, genealogy by genetics.
10. By donating a DNA sample now for posterity, your descendants won't have to dig you up later. :-)

Click Here to See A Sample Y-DNA Test Results Certificate

To get your sample collection kit at substantially reduced cost, place your order through me as the Frantz Group Coordinator and you will get the substantially discounted group rate price. When you are ready to order your kit, email me and let me know your complete name and postal mail address, and telephone number, and that you want to submit a sample and order a kit and I will place your order and get you the discounted price. You will receive your invoice directly from FamilyTreeDNA.com with your sample collection kit. As of Feb 2004 the Frantz Group discounted net prices are: $169 for the 25 Marker Y-DNA Kit and $99 for the 12 Marker Y-DNA Kit. The higher resolution 25 marker test is the recommended test for new participants. As you can see the prices within the group are substantially better than ordering directly from the testing company individually. For participants previously tested who wish to upgrade their results from the 12 marker test to the new 25 marker high resolution test, the cost for Frantz Group members is $90. Any questions, please contact me and I will be happy to try and answer your questions.

Contact Me And Join The Project

Genetic Genealogy Information Website Links

Kerchner's Genetic Genealogy and DNA Testing Information and Resources Page

Recommended Books

PA German Genealogy Research Help Pages

PA German Naming Customs
PA German Nicknames
PA Dutch Are Of German Heritage, Not Dutch
PA German Name Spelling Idiosyncrasies
Genealogy Research Tips
1812 Project
Kerchner Genealogy
Laudenslager Genealogy

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Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.
3765 Chris Drive
Emmaus PA 18049-1544 USA
Email: Contact Me

Copyright © 2004-2010
Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.
All Rights Reserved
Project Started: 8 Feb 2004
Webpage Created: 10 Feb 2004
Last Revision: 07 Mar 2010