The Y Chromosome is the part of the DNA that only males get from their father; my father got it from his father and so on. Females do not inherit this chromosome. It is a chain that can be used to go back in time. Using a family tree, it is possible to go back and determine all who have inherited a particular variation of the Y Chromosome and determine relationships. Those who have a close match on the Y Chromosome have a male ancestor in common somewhere in their history. The closer the match, the greater the chance of that common ancestor being in the near past. And in genealogical terms, near past can mean 150 to 250 years. The Y Chromosome is different from the DNA that is tested by the large commercial DNA companies like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, and FamilyTreeDNA’s Family Finder.
Examining the Y Chromosome is more complex than the autosomal test, costs more money, and is not performed by many companies. FamilyTreeDNA is one of the better-known companies that do Y Chromosome testing.
Y Chromosome Test 
There are different levels of Y Chromosome testing. These tests look at different amounts of “markers” to identify their characteristics. By comparing these markers and their characteristics, we can determine relationships between different males. To determine a relationship between two males, you must examine as many markers as possible, then look at the variations in those markers – the fewer variations, the closer the relationship. Test results also give you a predicted “genetic distance” expressed as a number. The smaller the number, the closer the relationship.
12 Marker
Even if two people shared every marker, the odds of them being closely related are very slim. More than likely, they would share a common ancestor back a thousand or more years ago. This test is no longer offered at FamilyTreeDNA.com.
25 Marker
Basically, the same applies to the 25 Marker test; even an exact match does not necessarily indicate a close relationship. This test is no longer offered at FamilyTreeDNA.com
37 Marker
The 37 Marker test is the usual first offering on FamilyTreeDNA. Many of those in the community who study the DNA results maintain that this test only provides a basis for further testing. If a match is shown on this test and the genetic distance number is 3 or less, that may be good news. If both know the names of their ancestors and where they came from, then you may be able to compare notes and determine the relationship.
67 Marker
This test is where most of those who have a strong interest in DNA suggest you start. Yes, it is more expensive, but the results can be much more meaningful. A close match and a genetic distance of 3 or less is a strong indication of being closely related. As with the 67 Marker test results, compare your relatives to determine who you have in common. This test is only offered as an upgrade from the Y-37, Y-25, or Y-12. It is not offered as a test for newcomers.
111 Marker
Until the Spring of 2018, the 111 Marker test was the best. The refined results provided users with much better details about relationships. You will get fewer matches with this test since it is examining more markers. Of the results you get with a genetic distance of 3 or less, you should contact each other and figure out the connection. Because of the increased computing power at FamilyTreeDNA, this test’s price was lowered to the price of the Y-67 test. They also eliminated the Y-67 test as a standalone test and only offer it as an upgrade from a lesser test.
700 Marker (Big Y)
A few years ago, the Big Y test examined 500 areas of the Y chromosome. As technology improved, FamilyTreeDNA upgraded this test to 700 areas. In 2019, they lowered this test’s cost by eliminating the automatic creation of a file that users could download to study the results. FamilyTreeDNA found that those who wanted to download this file (called a BAM file) were few and that if their computers did not have to process each sample to create the BAM file, processing time could be reduced and cost savings passed on to the user.
Those who want to upgrade their Big Y 500 test results to Big Y 700 can pay a fee to have this done.
The Big Y test will yield data that can place you on a specific branch of your haplogroup. Studying these results and comparing them with others’ results close to you can help you determine the approximate genetic time for splits in the branches of your paternal family.
Y Chromosome Matches
If you have taken one of the Y Chromosome tests and show a relationship to me, you must be descended from a specific group of my male ancestors. My third great-grandfather, Jesse Rodgers, II is the furthermost Rodgers that I can trace with confidence. It would stand to reason that if he is Jesse Rodgers, II, then there must be a Jesse Rodgers, Sr. but I have not been able to find proof that this is the case.
Below is a chart designed by Louise Coakley at www.genie1.com.au. Males are indicated in blue. Only males inherit the Y chromosome, and it is only inherited from their father. Females do not have a Y chromosome and, therefore, cannot pass one on to their children.
Charts such as the one above help narrow down the search for a relative who matches you for the Y chromosome. You can focus on males who are direct ancestors of your father. For example, you can study your 2nd great grandfather, who is your father’s father’s father’s father and all of his male heirs as well as his brother’s (if any) and their male heirs. All of them would share some amount of Y DNA with you. The more they share, the closer they are to you in the family tree. You could ignore your father’s father’s mother’s father – you did not receive any Y chromosome from him.
Y Chromosome Match But Different Last Name?
One other possibility to keep in mind is what is called a “Non-Paternal Event” or NPE. According to the International Society of Genetic Genealogy Wiki, “to describe any event which has caused a break in the link between a hereditary surname and the Y-chromosome resulting in a son using a different surname from that of his biological father. The definition excludes minor changes in the spelling of the surname, and is implicitly limited to events after the relevant branch of the surname became hereditary.” That means that someone who is presumed to be the son or daughter of a man is not the actual son or daughter of that man. This may have resulted from adoption, illegitimacy, extra-marital affair, IVF, a mix-up of babies at the hospital, or any other similar event. Or they might have just changed their last name because they were in the Witness Protection program!
My Y Chromosome Ancestors
If you are a Y chromosome match with me, then check out this list for a common ancestor or a geographic location that is similar to one for your ancestor.
Paternal Great Great Great Grandfather – Jesse Rodgers, II
- Birth – Believed to have been born in 1800 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Parents unconfirmed but may possibly be Jesse Rodgers, Sr. and Sarah Sally Green.
- Marriage – Martha Jameson (06 March 1821 in Daviess County, Kentucky. She died in 1853 in Haywood, Barren County, Kentucky. Marriage record.)
- Death – 11 October 1834 in Rutherford, Tennessee
- Male Descendants:
- James Green Rodgers (see below)
Paternal Great Great Grandfather – James Green Rodgers
- Birth – 8 May 1826 in Warren, Knox County, Kentucky to Jesse Rodgers, II, and Martha Jameson.
- Marriage – Ruama Elizabeth Sanders (22 December 1850 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. Marriage record.)
- Death – 3 April 1899 in Centerton, Benton County, Arkansas
- Male Descendants:
- Jesse Edgar Rodgers (see below)
- Martin Luther Rodgers (born 1860 in Tennessee)
- Marshal Richard Rodgers (born 3 February 1861 in Rocky Comfort, McDonald, Missouri)
- John Rodgers (born 5 September 1885 in Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas)
- Earl Rodgers (born 16 April 1890 in Ripley, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- William Marshall Rodgers (born 11 April 1910 in Ripley, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Donald Earl Rodgers (born 6 February 1923 in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- James Franklin Rodgers (born 9 December 1891 in Clayton, Pushmataha County, Oklahoma)
- Marshall Raymond Rodgers (born 29 August 1918 in Ripley, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Charles Vernon Rodgers (born 20 February 1920 in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- John Monroe Rodgers (born 22 January 1924 in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Walter Rolle Leroy Rodgers (born 27 October 1894 in Ripley, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Marvin Riley Rodgers (born 17 May 1902 in Agra, Lincoln County, Oklahoma)
- Alva Joe Rodgers (born about 1930)
- Charles Wakhue Rodgers (born about 1937)
- Geoffrey R. Rodgers (born 27 November 1903 in Clayton, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Kenneth Ray Rodgers (born 24 October 1924 in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Russell Clyde Rodgers (born 17 January 1928 in Ripley, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Allan Geoffrey Rodgers (born 25 October 1937 in Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Marshall Richard Rodgers, Jr (born 17 January 1920 in Agra, Lincoln County, Oklahoma)
- Richard Jerral Rodgers (born 11 February 1943 in the USA)
- Reginal Van Travis Rodgers (born 5 September in Cushing, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Marshall Randall Rodgers (born in Agra, Lincoln County, Oklahoma)
- Harold Howard Rodgers (born 7 May 1923 in Ripley, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Jesse Delbert Rodgers (born 5 Feb 1925 in Ripley, Payne County, Oklahoma)
- Donald Ray Rodgers (born – unknown)
- Dorman Rodgers (born – unknown)
- James Rodgers (possibly the same as James Irvin Rodgers) (born about 1862 in Tennessee)
- John William Rodgers (born 23 December 1869 in Centerton, Benton County, Arkansas)
- William Aliver Rodgers (born 4 June 1874 in Centerton, Benton County, Arkansas)
- Orville Sanders Rodgers (born 15 December 1896 in Centerton, Benton County, Arkansas)
- James Glenn Rodgers (born 25 November 1898 in Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas)
- Burl Henry Rodgers (born 3 January 1909 in Benton County, Arkansas)
- James Irvin Rodgers (born 19 April 1876 in Benton County, Arkansas)
Paternal Great Grandfather – Jesse Edgar Rodgers
- Birth – 4 June 1856 in Rutherford, Tennessee to James Green Rodgers and Ruama Elizabeth Sanders
- Marriage – Frances “Fannie” Jane Bingham (20 December 1877 in Benton County, Arkansas. Marriage Record)
- Death – 3 March 1942 in Maysville, Benton County, Arkansas
- Male Descendants:
- James William Rodgers, Sr. (see below)
- Frederick Omer Rodgers (born 31 January 1884 in Benton County, Arkansas)
- Kenneth Lee Rodgers (born 22 August 1913 in Oklahoma)
- Jesse Paul Rodgers (born 3 March 1921 in Claremore, Rogers County, Oklahoma)
- Frederick Omer Rodgers, Jr. (born about 1923 in Oklahoma)
- James Nolan Rodgers (born 19 December 1926 in Pryor, Mayes County, Oklahoma)
- Homer Glenn Rodgers (born 7 November 1927 in Oklahoma)
Paternal Grandfather – James William Rodgers, Sr.
- Birth – 28 June 1881 in Benton County, Arkansas to Jesse Edgar Rodgers and Frances Jane Bingham
- Marriage:
- Carrie W. Powell (16 March 1911 in Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma. Carrie died suddenly on 25 April 1911.)
- Taska Lucy Powell (19 June 1912 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Taska Lucy was the sister of Carrie W. Powell. Marriage Record)
- Death – 25 July 1969 in Holdenville, Hughes County, Oklahoma
- Male Descendants:
- James William Rodgers, Jr
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