This notice will serve to announce the commencement of a scientific group study of the Irish surname KEANE/KANE/O'CATHAIN and several variants. I am the Group Administrator of the Project.
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Due to recent advancements in genetic research and DNA Analysis, it is now possible to detect many things about one's ancestors by means of a simple, painless swab of the surface of the inner cheek. There are a number of tests that can detect with considerable accuracy such details as relationship to a common male or female-line ancestor who may have lived many thousands of years ago, or accurately link an individual to a particular line of ancestry. The tremendous advantages to the study of genealogy are readily apparent. The study will utilize the services of Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), in cooperation with University of Arizona laboratories and recognized experts in the field of DNA analysis and research. The FTDNA surname database is large and constantly expanding.

If you have received or are reading this announcement it probably means that you or near relatives bear a surname which may well be a branch of the ancient Ui NEILL royal dynasty of Ulster. Your participation would play an important part in this historic project whether or not you bear a version of the KEANE/O'KANE surname.

The purpose of this study is to determine relationships among various KEANE, O'CAHAN, O'KANE, KANE, etc., families in Ireland. In time, the study may resolve the traditional claimed descent of several of these families from the Ui NEILL of Ulster. These include descendants of CATHAIN (about 800 A.D.), the eponymous ancestor of the O'CAHAN "Warrior Clan of Ulster", sub-kings under O'NEILL.

I claim such a descent via an O'CAHAN (later Kean/Keane) branch which settled in Co. Clare, Ireland about 1525. I have a very complete genealogical record connecting about 800 AD with the Ui NEILL lineage, traditionally as its senior cadet branch, and continuing through early historical times to King Niall "of the Nine Hostages" (living 400 AD).

Families bearing any variant of the KEANE/KANE surname tracing to the following counties in Ireland are especially urged to participate: Any County in the Province of Ulster; also Co. Kerry; Co. Cork; Co. Clare; Co. Galway; Co. Kildare. and Co. Waterford.

Because some Irish research, such as this study, involves relationships among numerous surnames, each traditionally descended in the male-line from a larger clan group (UiNEILL, in this case), it is theoretically possible to obtain matches, or near matches, of the Y-Chromosome among persons with different surnames whose most recent common male-line ancestor may have branched off from the larger clan many centuries ago. For this reason, Irish DNA surname test results may differ from many single-surname DNA test results. A positive aspect of Irish DNA genealogical studies is the fact that the more common Irish surnames (often the most prominent ancient Gaelic families and royal dynasties which were able to provide for junior branches) are still concentrated in their ancient territories. This could greatly enhance the likelihood of linking a present-day family with one of these long-established ancestral lines.

There undoubtedly are several unrelated families in Ireland which have adopted identical KEANE surnames, or variations thereof. There are O'CEINS in Counties Waterford, Galway, Clare and perhaps Kerry. In some of these same areas the Ulster O'CAHANS are intermingled. There also are some KEANE, KEEN and CAIN surnames of English or Scottish origin. It can readily be seen that it may be nearly impossible to distinguish among these families using conventional genealogical methods. They can however be sorted out using the 25 Marker Y-Chromosome DNA Test.

This Project will concentrate on the KEANE/KANE and O'NEILL surnames. However, in order to verify the accuracy of the ancient Irish annals, it encourages the participation of persons bearing surnames traditionally held to descend in direct male-line from King Niall of Ulster. Those families include, among others:

DONNELLY, KAHONE, KANE; KEANE; McCAUGHAN, McCAIN, McCLOSKEY, MacLAUGHLIN, McSHANE, McSWEENEY, O'CATHAIN; O'DONNELL, O'GORMLEY, O'HAGAN, O'MELLAN, O'NEILL,and O'QUINN.

Only males carry the Y-chromosome, thus only males with no adoptions or changes of surname in their known ancestry may participate in the project. Participants should order the 25 Marker Y-DNA test kit. If you bear one of these surnames (or variation) and match another person's result on a 12 marker test, there is a 50% probability that you share a common ancestor within the last 14 generations. If there is a perfect match on a 25 marker test, there is a 50% probability that your most recent common ancestor (MRCA) was no earlier than 7 generations ago. The statistical probabilities vary depending on results. The advantages of the 25 Marker Test over the 12 Marker Test are well worth the small additional cost in a study such as this.

Results reveal nothing about one's private family information or health. All participants should review the FTDNA Website where privacy concerns are fully addressed.

The Group Administrator will be aware of the match but only by Code Numbers and geographical areas. Thus, if you are an O'NEILL from Co. Antrim, Ireland and match a KEEN from London, the DNA numerical match will appear on the Group Administrator's page but you will not be identified by name. Certain genealogical inferences might be gleaned from the information. You will decide whether to contact the matching person, or the Administrator may place both in contact with mutual consent.

The Family Tree DNA Website may be accessed at -:

http://www.familytreedna.com/

Please take a few minutes to browse through the site, especially the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and the Privacy policy sections. You may join the Project on-line, but please let me know when you have done so. I am available either by telephone, email or regular mail to answer any further questions you may have and will keep you advised of developments as the Project proceeds.

Leonard M. Keane, Jr.,
Convener of the The OCathain (O'Cahan) Society
16 Pleasant Street
Wakefield, Massachusetts 01880, U.S.A.
TEL: 781-245-4153; Email: Dolmenx@aol.com