Hi,
Here's a popular article that helps explain the relationship between having a common surname and having a genetic or biological relationship.
A study done in the UK shows that if you have a common surname--and I think Taylor would qualify--then you are about 24% likely to share a common ancestor. If your name is uncommon the chances are greater.
See http://www.genealogyintime.com/NewsStories/2008/October/are_people_with_the_same_family_name_related.html
Lalia
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think the conclusion (Same surname >= 24% chance of CMA.) is overblown. I looked at the study writeup. There was one pair of Taylor men (5th most common name in Britain), both R1b. The estimated time to their MRCMA was 110 to 594 generations. The study assumed 35 years per generation, so the low figure takes us to 1800 BC and a more conservative 25 yrs/gen takes us to 750 BC. Both dates are well before surnames were adopted in Britain, the 14th century AD.
ReplyDeleteI also saw methodological problems. They advertised for subjects and considered it random selection. They tested only 17 markers.