Welcome to the Blog

Welcome to the new blog for the Gleason/Gleeson DNA Project. This will serve to provide regular updates on the status of the DNA Project and as a repository for stories, and general genealogical information that will advance the study of the Gleason/Gleeson surname.

The DNA project has been run by Judy Gleason Claassen since 2008 and has amassed a total of 89 members thus far. Maurice Gleeson joined Judy as co-administrator earlier this year. Our goals are to identify and distinguish the different Gleason/Gleeson lineages revealed by the Y-DNA tests and to assist those interested in finding their genealogical relationships with other members. By using DNA to identify people who are close genetic cousins to each other, these people can then collaborate, share genealogical information, and thus help each other to break down the Brick Walls in their own particular family tree research. When sufficient members join, it will hopefully be possible to determine the origins of the Gleason/Gleeson surname and its many variants, as well as their evolution over time.

You can easily access the project by either googling “Gleason FTDNA” or simply following this link here … http://www.worldfamilies.net/surnames/gleason/results

The project is open to anyone with a suspected Gleeson ancestor, especially anyone whose surname is Gleason/Gleeson or one of its many possible variants, including any of the following names … Glasson, Gleason, Gleeson, Glezen, Glisson, Glysson, Leason, Leeson, Leson, O'Glasain, O'Gliasain, etc

Current Status

The project is open to anyone who has taken a DNA test, whether it is Y-DNA, mitochondrial DNA, or autosomal DNA (e.g. Family Finder). The primary focus of the project is the Gleeson surname and its inheritance along the direct male line (your father’s father’s father’s line). Hence Y-DNA is of particular importance and of the 89 members, 71 have undertaken a Y-DNA test, broken down as follows:

• 111 markers – 8 members have taken this test
• 67 markers – 17 members
• 37 markers – 39 (this is the minimum recommended)
• 25 markers only – 2
• 12 markers only – 5

A Y-DNA-37 test is the minimum recommended for reliable allocation to a particular genetic family and all members are encouraged to purchase (or upgrade to) at least this 37-marker test. 

How to join the project

If you have already purchased a Y-DNA-37 test, you can join the project by simply clicking on the following link, choosing Option A, enter your kit number and password, and click LOG IN … 

https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join-request.aspx?group=Gleason&vGroup=gleason

If you have forgotten your password, simply click on "Forgot Your Password?" at the bottom of the Log In page and FTDNA will automatically generate a new one for you (which you can later change to whatever suits you).

New members can join the project by clicking here and purchasing a Y-DNA-37 test (there is a discount of $20 off the usual price if you buy it here, so you can get it for $149 instead of $169) … https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=gleason

How to upgrade

A Y-DNA-37 test is the minimum recommended for genealogical research. If you wish to upgrade from 12 or 25 markers to 37 markers or higher, just click on the blue Upgrade button on your FTDNA Homepage and then click on the appropriate Upgrade Price button on the right and follow the instructions ($99 for upgrading to Y-DNA-37 from Y-DNA-12).

Any questions?

If you have specific questions about the Gleason/Gleeson DNA Project, please post them below in the Comments section, or post them below my announcement for each new blog post on the Gleeson Genealogy Forum Facebook group. We will answer all questions either individually or devote a separate blog post to each one (so that everyone can benefit from the answer).

Maurice Gleeson
Judy Gleason Claassen

27 Feb 2015