DNA Spiral ISOGG Logo

Levan and Similar Spelled or Sounding Surnames
[New] Genetic Genealogy Y-DNA Surname Project [New]

(Primarily Soundex Code L150)


Filename:   levandna.htm

Internet:   http://www.kerchner.com/levan/levandna.htm

Key Dates:  Project Started:             28 Nov 2005
            Webpage Created:             30 Nov 2005
            Last Updated:                19 Nov 2007

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

Notice:     Copyright 2005-2007 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 Levan 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 various
            ancestral home villages or regions in Europe.

Keywords:   GENETICS GENEALOGY DNA Y CHROMOSOME ANCESTOR LEVAN SURNAME PROJECT

Some early Levan progenitors:

DANIEL: A German speaking French Huguenot immigrant to colonial Pennsylvania. Born circa 1705 in Amsterdam, Holland. Died 15 May 1777 in Maxatawny Twsp, Berks County, PA


Some spelling variations found in various records for this surname are: Levan, Lafon

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


Levan Public Page on FamilyTreeDNA's Servers

The Beginning and Project Evolution

The Levan Y-DNA surname project was started in Nov 2005 in an effort to use the latest in Genetic Genealogy DNA testing tools to determine the Y-DNA Genetic Markers of the early Levan immigrants and to provide Y-DNA reference marker haplotype sets for each Levan clan to aide in placing various descendants into the proper Levan immigrant descendant clan. Since many of these early immigrants had 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. Another goal is to determine if there is any genetic evidence in the Y chromosome or other DNA markers to investigate the deep ancestry and ancient origins of this male line. We will have to test at least two distant Levan cousins in each Levan clan before we can reach any conclusions with reasonable confidence. You must be a Levan surnamed male or be sponsoring a Levan surnamed male in order to join this project since only males carry the Y chromosome.


Initial Test Results and Analysis

To-date one Levan line has ordered a sample kit from FamilyTreeDNA for Y-DNA testing and analysis. The results are displayed below.

Kerchner's Zip+Four Analogy of Why to Upgrade to the 37 Y-STR Marker Extended Haplotype
A Tutorial Paper on Why One Should be Tested at or Upgrade to 37 Markers

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


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 and
Geographic
Locale of
Participant

Earliest Known
Ancestor
per Research
to Date

DYS
393

DYS
390

DYS
394
aka 19

DYS
391

DYS
385a

DYS
385b

DYS
426

DYS
388

DYS
439

DYS
389-1

See Note (4)

DYS
392

DYS
389-2

See Note (4)

Haplo-
group
or
closest
suggested
Haplo-
group

48211

Levan
North Carolina

DANIEL

12

23

16

10

13

17

11

15

11

12

11

28

J2
Suggested

95275

Lafon
Virginia

John Lafon
1775-1840
Giles Co VA

13

24

14

12

11

14

12

12

12

13

13

29

R1b1
Suggested

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-
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. Explanation why what looks like two differences for the two-part marker with the parts named DYS389-1 and DYS389-2 is really sometimes only a one step difference. To avoid this confusion some labs report this as an alternately named marker DYS389B. DYS389B=(DYS389-2)-(DYS389-1).

Additional 13 Marker Upgraded/Refined (Medium Resolution) Y-DNA Test Results
Combined with the first 12 markers this provides a 25 marker haplotype.

Results in the following table for the refined Y-DNA test adding 13 more markers.

FamilyTreeDNA.com Upgraded/Refined (Medium Resolution) Panel Results
Results of 13 Additional DYS Loci/Markers

 

 

 

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

Kit#

Participant's
Surname
Spelling and
Geographic
Locale of
Participant

Earliest Known
Ancestor
per Research
to Date

DYS

458

DYS

459a

DYS

459b

DYS

455

DYS

454

DYS

447

DYS

437

DYS

448

DYS

449

DYS

464a

DYS

464b

DYS

464c

DYS

464d

48211

Levan
North Carolina

DANIEL

16

8

9

11

11

25

15

21

32

12

13

16

16

95275

Lafon
Virginia

John Lafon
1775-1840
Giles Co VA

19

9

10

11

11

25

15

19

29

14

17

17

18

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

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. Allele values for markers DYS 464 a-d adjusted down by count of one each on 19 May 2003 due to lab nomenclature change for those markers.


Upgrade/Refinement to 37 Markers (High Resolution) PP5 Y-DNA Test Results
FamilyTreeDNA.com Upgraded/Refined (High Resolution) PP5 Marker Panel Results
Results of 12 Additional DYS Loci/Markers

 

 

 

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

Kit#

Participant's
Surname
Spelling and
Geographic
Locale of
Participant

Earliest Known
Ancestor
per Research
to Date

DYS

460

DYS

GATA
H4

DYS

CA
IIa

DYS

CA
IIb

DYS

456

DYS

607

DYS

576


FMM

DYS

570


FMM

DYS

CDYa


FMM

DYS

CDYb


FMM

DYS

442

DYS

438

48211

Levan
North Carolina

DANIEL

9

11

19

22

15

14

17

18

35

38

15

9

95275

Lafon
Virginia

John Lafon
1775-1840
Giles Co VA

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

NT

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Notes:
1. Cells with dashes in them, if any, indicates we are still awaiting test results or they were not tested for that marker.
2. Genetic test results for this participant did not match expected results of prior historical genealogical research evidence.
3. TBD = To Be Determined.
4. FMM = Faster Moving Marker per FamilyTreeDNA.

Combined 37 Marker Test Result Data for Levan Project


Any male Levan male or similar spelled surnames or L150 soundex code 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 Levan surnamed male or be sponsoring a Levan 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 Levan 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 Nov 2005 the Levan 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 Levan 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

Sign my Guestbook.
Read my Guestbook.

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

Copyright © 2005-2007
Charles F. Kerchner, Jr.
All Rights Reserved
Project Started: 28 Nov 2005
Webpage Created: 30 Nov 2005
Last Revision: 19 Nov 2007