The TROTT Surname Y-DNA Project
Introduction
The TROTT Surname Y-DNA Project is organized and sponsored by the Trott One Name Research Group (TONRG). The project website can be seen at: https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/trott/about
DNA testing is an exciting technology that has revolutionized genealogy. As more men named Trott test, we find out more about our heritage. Thus far, we have located Trotts around the world including the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Bermuda, South Africa and elsewhere. We currently have over 40 members with at least 14 different haplotypes, or distinct sets of results, in the project. We are actively seeking more men to test.
The Trott Surname Y-DNA Project is open to any male with the TROTT surname, including other spelling variations (TRATT, TREAT, TRETT, etc), as well as people who believe that they have male lineage from a Trott. The tested individual must be a male who is a Trott, etc, on his paternal line (father’s, father’s, father’s, etc…..). Females who wish to join should find a closely related Trott male to take a test (eg father, brother or male cousin), as only males carry Y-DNA.
Testing
Your DNA test will be handled though Family Free DNA. This company analyses and maintains the results in their secure database, as is explained on their web site.
Testing is painless, easy and quick. A kit consists of a cheek scraper and a collection tube. You do it at home. It is as quick and easy as brushing your teeth. Testing does not disclose any medical condition or expected medical problem. It takes about 6 to 8 weeks for the testing company to return your test results to you.
Once you have done the DNA test, if a new tester matches you, you will be informed of this relative’s existence, assuming that both of you have signed the testing company’s release form. If both of you have done so, then you will be able to contact each other privately, if you wish.
Which Testing Company?
At present Family Tree DNA is the only company which does this type of testing and provides web pages allowing an individual or organisation such as ours to publish the results. See https://www.familytreedna.com
Over 400,000 people worldwide have tested with Family Tree DNA, though not all of these have taken a Y-DNA test. But they have by far the largest database of Y-DNA results. For more information about confidentiality and privacy of your records if you test through Family Tree DNA, see the FAQ pages and their Privacy Policy
What Does it Cost?
Testing through the Trott project at FTDNA will entitle you to a discount off Family Tree DNA's normal rates. We recommend that you begin with a minimum of 37 markers, as fewer markers are less likely to provide you with a reliable match to others who have tested.
Joining the Trott Surname Y-DNA Project after testing
If you choose to test, we encourage you to join our Trott Surname Y-DNA Project first, as this will give you a discount on the cost of the test.
However, it is possible to join the project at any time after testing. When you join our project, you will be able to see how your results compare with others who have tested. If you find that you match any of the other project members, you will be able to contact them.
In addition to joining our Trott Surname Y-DNA Project, you may also apply to join other similar projects at no charge. Such other projects may involve much larger groups of people with similar DNA haplogroups, or people with backgrounds believed to be from the same country or geographic region, etc.
Objectives of the Project
The main objective of our project is to identify the various Trott family lines (including name variants) and to bring together those members with common ancestry. Due to the lack of paper records, much information about family genealogy has been lost forever in history. With DNA, ties can often be re-established for people living far apart. There have been several success stories within our project where people have, through DNA testing, met relatives that they previously did not even know existed.
The DNA Project and the TONRG organization were set up to assist people named Trott to identify themselves by family groups, to prove or disprove theories regarding their ancestors, to solve brick walls in family research, to validate existing research and to show how people named Trott around the world relate to worldwide population migrations centuries ago.
Links for Further Information
International Society of Genetic Genealogy