Early Gaulding Gateway Ancestor DNA Mutations Y700
John Gaulding of New Kent County, Virginia Line
Based on the research of Mags Gaulden, Genetic Genealogist
Mags Gaulden is a Genetic Genealogist, and she has been working on the Gaulding/Gauldin/Gaulden family line for some time. She is a researcher of extraordinary skill and has come to some very interesting conclusions regarding where in England the original Gaulding immigrant may have come from. DNA doesn't lie and it may be the only way to conclusively determine the point of origin for the family in Virginia. She uses the Big Y-700 test and has had a number of people submit samples that she has used to confirm genetic relationships.
First of all, it is necessary to define some terms, especially for those of us who are not as skilled in this type of research as Mags is.
What is the Big Y-700 Test?
The Big Y-700 test is a DNA test offered by Family Tree DNA. It examines DNA on the Y chromosome, which only men have1. This test can help sort out genealogical problems in your paternal line or involving surnames. (DNA Q&A: What is the Big Y-700 Test?, n.d.)
The Big Y-700 actually includes two tests that correspond to two different kinds of DNA markers, called STRs and SNPs (DNA Q&A: What is the Big Y-700 Test?, n.d.):
Short tandem repeats (STRs) are repeated sections in DNA that can vary between populations and generations. This variation makes STRs ideal for determining closer relationships—perhaps within 10 generations or so. The “700” part of the test refers to the 700 STRs that are tested. (DNA Q&A: What is the Big Y-700 Test?, n.d.)
Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are single changes in the DNA. Some of these SNPs have a very slow rate of change (think tens of thousands of years!), while others change much faster. This steady nature of many SNPs allows scientists and genealogists to learn about human migration and the relationships of their own distant ancestors. (DNA Q&A: What is the Big Y-700 Test?, n.d.)
The Big Y-700 test is particularly beneficial because of its SNP analysis and exploratory nature1. It can help you determine if two men with the same (or similar) surname share the same male common ancestor. (DNA Q&A: What is the Big Y-700 Test?, n.d.) It can also help you link your recent genealogy with ancestors who lived before the adoption of surnames. (Why Big Y?, n.d.) Furthermore, it can estimate the time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) between you and your matches. (Why Big Y?, n.d.)
Only genetic males can take the Big Y test and research their paternal line. (Why Big Y?, n.d.) Genetic females cannot take a Y-DNA test because they do not have a Y chromosome. (Why Big Y?, n.d.) However, if a genetic female is interested in learning about her paternal line’s ancestry, she could find a genetic male to test—like a brother, uncle, father, or cousin. (Why Big Y?, n.d.)
In a message to me, sent on January 1, 2024 Mags wrote:
“Look at the Ovals and circles for where mutations happened at specific points in Mathew Gauldings Descendants tests and the range of those tests geographically.”
(Gaulden, Early Gaulding Gateway Ancestor DNA Mutations Y700 for John Gaulding of New Kent)
Based on her research, she seems to think that the area around Manchester is of prime interest and where John “of New Kent” Gaulding may have come from. She also referenced Gaulding Origins and put together this graphic called “Early Gaulding Gateway Ancestor DNA Zones and Genealogical location”.
(Gaulden, Early Gaulding Gateway Ancestor DNA Zones and Genealogical location)
She further adds “As to the DNA - I can find NO YDNA matches to our family with true names of Golden, Goulding or Golding. IF they are out there they may have not tested yet…There is a YDNA tester from Samuel Gaulding that matches my father and all the other YDNA testers. That is some good news for you.”
“Certainly, any people that fall anywhere close to the most recent SNPS, back to 1200 CE. The other SNPS, the one with Bury St. Edmunds in the bullseye and even the one with Rotterdam are worthy of testing, even in 800BCE because I know what the SNP is for that Geo-location and I know it's parent SNP. If any of the descendants have modern SNPs like our family does, I can tell where their SNP originated and link them back to or not to our BCE SNPs. YDNA can go back forever.”
She was able to deduce that Gaulding/Gaulden/Gauldin has no connection to Golden/Golding/Goulden. “That is how I discounted the testers in the Golding/Gaulding DNA Group Project." she said. "Bill Golden did a Y700 test. We have totally different migration routes (split) from the very distant past, about 6000 BCE.”
Comments