DNA Project
Back in 2003 Tom Nesbitt started a DNA project for Nesbitt-Nisbet Society members and others who wanted to use this new scientific tool to help trace their Nesbitt-Nisbet line and ancestors. The chosen provider for this project was Family Tree DNA whom we still use. The Nesbitt-Nisbet Society is supporting DNA testing of family lines to determine if we connect with each other and a common ancestor. Our goals are to assist members with proving connections to each other. The paper records thin out and disappear in the 1700's, and DNA testing could help prove these connections to other members. After DNA testing suggests we are connected, then we use the traditional research methods to determine when and where. Sometimes this is an educated guess, but we do our best to figure it out. The Y-DNA markers that men share show us that we connect to a common male ancestor who took the Nesbitt-Nisbet name.
Our current Project administrator is Jean Skar of Norway [email protected] . This is a simple saliva test which is done by you in your home and we usually recommend the 37 marker test. The current cost is shown on the DNA website. All the Scottish Clans are doing the Y-Chromosome testing, and only men have the Y-DNA. Women should attempt to find a male Nesbitt-Nisbet relative for testing and pay for the kit. The volunteer's DNA must be from an unbroken line of a male Nesbitt-Nisbet, any spelling. Should you be considering taking a DNA test, we would advise you to contact the Project Administrator first so that you undertake the most suitable test and best value for your money. The following link is a guide to the test costings:- https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Nesbitt
The following link holds current information and results for the project
https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/nesbitt-nisbet
Our current Project administrator is Jean Skar of Norway [email protected] . This is a simple saliva test which is done by you in your home and we usually recommend the 37 marker test. The current cost is shown on the DNA website. All the Scottish Clans are doing the Y-Chromosome testing, and only men have the Y-DNA. Women should attempt to find a male Nesbitt-Nisbet relative for testing and pay for the kit. The volunteer's DNA must be from an unbroken line of a male Nesbitt-Nisbet, any spelling. Should you be considering taking a DNA test, we would advise you to contact the Project Administrator first so that you undertake the most suitable test and best value for your money. The following link is a guide to the test costings:- https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Nesbitt
The following link holds current information and results for the project
https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/nesbitt-nisbet
Results to date: YDNA 37 Markers
Our Clan Chief Mark Nesbitt represents DNA Group 1. Several members match with Mark and the original Nisbet of that Ilk family, including David Nisbet, past president of the UK Society. They can be traced back to the 15th century. Alexander Nisbet the Herald belongs to this branch, and to the branch that built the Castle at West Nisbet. Robert Chancellor Nesbitt also belongs to this branch and wrote the book, Nisbet of That Ilk. DNA for this branch is known.
DNA Group 2 seems to be from Northern Ireland and so far no connection to Scotland has been found, although a couple of members live there today. DNA-2 is known to come from the village of Rathfriland, County Down, Northern Ireland, and also from Drumballyroney, County Down, Northern Ireland where Nisbetts are known to have settled in 1725. Nesbitts also settled in New Jersey in the late 1600's and in Southern Pennsylvania about 1730. Many descendants of the Nesbitts in both these locations are DNA-2.
DNA Group 3 includes Nisbet of Greenholm, Nisbet of Carphin, Alexander Nisbet, reported to have been born in 1731 at sea en route to America, and who settled in North Carolina, and Nesbitt of Ballyhaise County Cavan, Ireland. This group is now world-wide, having members tested in Scotland, England, Norway, Australia, Canada, and the USA., and has English and Scottish Borders connections,
The Greenholm branch can be traced back to Ayrshire in the 1400's. This was thought to have been a branch of N/N of that Ilk but DNA has proven this to be untrue. DNA is known for this branch. Murdoch Nisbet who created one of the earliest Bible translations into Scots and John Nisbet the martyr no doubt belong to this branch. Murdock Nisbet's translation of the New Testament is found in the British Museum.
Nisbet of Carphin DNA is known and is of the same branch as Nisbet of Greenholm. They went from Ayrshire to Lanarkshire and were also in Ireland. They were also in the West Indies and at Jamaica their plantation is now a Caribbean plantation resort. The widow of Josiah Nisbet of this branch married Captain Horatio Nelson Lord Nelson. We also have many other smaller DNA groups containing 2 or 3 people.
Our Clan Chief Mark Nesbitt represents DNA Group 1. Several members match with Mark and the original Nisbet of that Ilk family, including David Nisbet, past president of the UK Society. They can be traced back to the 15th century. Alexander Nisbet the Herald belongs to this branch, and to the branch that built the Castle at West Nisbet. Robert Chancellor Nesbitt also belongs to this branch and wrote the book, Nisbet of That Ilk. DNA for this branch is known.
DNA Group 2 seems to be from Northern Ireland and so far no connection to Scotland has been found, although a couple of members live there today. DNA-2 is known to come from the village of Rathfriland, County Down, Northern Ireland, and also from Drumballyroney, County Down, Northern Ireland where Nisbetts are known to have settled in 1725. Nesbitts also settled in New Jersey in the late 1600's and in Southern Pennsylvania about 1730. Many descendants of the Nesbitts in both these locations are DNA-2.
DNA Group 3 includes Nisbet of Greenholm, Nisbet of Carphin, Alexander Nisbet, reported to have been born in 1731 at sea en route to America, and who settled in North Carolina, and Nesbitt of Ballyhaise County Cavan, Ireland. This group is now world-wide, having members tested in Scotland, England, Norway, Australia, Canada, and the USA., and has English and Scottish Borders connections,
The Greenholm branch can be traced back to Ayrshire in the 1400's. This was thought to have been a branch of N/N of that Ilk but DNA has proven this to be untrue. DNA is known for this branch. Murdoch Nisbet who created one of the earliest Bible translations into Scots and John Nisbet the martyr no doubt belong to this branch. Murdock Nisbet's translation of the New Testament is found in the British Museum.
Nisbet of Carphin DNA is known and is of the same branch as Nisbet of Greenholm. They went from Ayrshire to Lanarkshire and were also in Ireland. They were also in the West Indies and at Jamaica their plantation is now a Caribbean plantation resort. The widow of Josiah Nisbet of this branch married Captain Horatio Nelson Lord Nelson. We also have many other smaller DNA groups containing 2 or 3 people.