My Y-DNA Journey: Tracing My Paternal Line Through Y-DNA Testing

When Did I Get Involved with DNA Testing?

In 2005, the Genographic Project launched as a global research initiative led by the National Geographic Society to study ancient human migration patterns. In 2010, I purchased a DNA kit from the project after watching a video that explained its findings. While the Genographic Project was not designed for genealogy or family matching, it sparked my curiosity about where my ancestors came from and how people moved across the world over thousands of years.

That experience marked the beginning of years of DNA testing across multiple companies. Each company has strengths and limitations, and understanding those differences became part of my learning process.

Which DNA Companies Have I Tested With?

Over time, I tested my DNA with AncestryDNA, 23andMe, LivingDNA, MyHeritageDNA, and FamilyTreeDNA, among others.

While these companies are excellent for autosomal DNA matching and ethnicity estimates, FamilyTreeDNA is the only company that offers full Y-DNA testing, including Y-STR testing and advanced Big Y analysis. That distinction is important, and it’s where my focused Y-DNA research truly began.

How Did I Start with FamilyTreeDNA?

One thing I appreciated about FamilyTreeDNA was the ability to test incrementally based on budget. Genetic testing is not inexpensive, so being able to build over time mattered.

• 2011: Family Finder (autosomal DNA)

• 2011: Y-DNA 67

• 2017: Y-DNA 111

• 2024: Big Y-700

As results came in over the years, I didn’t always understand their significance right away. It wasn’t until I completed the Big Y-700 test that I began to truly grasp how these results applied specifically to my paternal line. That’s when the research became both eye-opening and transformative.

What Were My Results?

Before diving into specifics, here are the primary Y-DNA tools involved:

• Y-STR tests (Y-37, Y-67, Y-111)

• Big Y-700 (deep ancestry and SNP discovery)

• Public Y-DNA haplotree

• Surname and geographic projects

For this blog, I’m focusing on my haplogroup story: R-FT217177
(Full story: https://discover.familytreedna.com/y-dna/R-FT217177/story)

What Is a Haplogroup?

A haplogroup is a large genetic family descended from a single ancient ancestor.

Think tribe, not last name.

Through FamilyTreeDNA, haplogroups are supported with migration maps, ancient and notable connections, matches, and branching timelines that help narrow where a paternal line fits in human history.

What Does R-FT217177 Mean?

When I say my Y-DNA haplogroup is R-FT217177, I’m describing my precise position on the paternal family tree traced through Y-DNA testing. Haplogroup R represents a large ancient European paternal lineage, while FT217177 identifies a specific genetic mutation that occurred in one male ancestor and was passed down to his descendants over many generations.

All men who share R-FT217177 descend from that same paternal ancestor. While this does not reveal surnames or recent ancestors, it provides strong evidence about deep ancestry, migration patterns, and how my paternal line fits into the broader human story. This level of detail moves my research beyond assumption and into documented genetic evidence.

Where Do I Go From Here?

Just as the Genographic Project showed years ago, we all share common ancestors. Y-DNA testing allows me to identify others who share a paternal lineage and compare genetic evidence with paper records, geography, and historical context.

I’ve hinted in previous posts that my surname research points toward a possible connection with Smith families from England. I’ve joined multiple Smith Y-DNA projects and am actively working through a hypothesis that combines DNA results, documentary records, geographic patterns, and informed assumptions. As testing improves and new data emerges, I expect that hypothesis to evolve.

Fun Stuff: Notable Connections

One fascinating feature of FamilyTreeDNA’s Y-DNA analysis is the identification of very deep shared paternal ancestors, dating back thousands of years. Based on haplogroup analysis, I share a distant paternal ancestor (circa 2900 BCE) with:

• Matthew Perry

• Matt LeBlanc

• Wade Boggs

• Michael Jackson

These are not genealogical relationships, but reminders of how interconnected humanity truly is.

Do you know your haplogroup—or your notable connections?