GFG2A
GUTHRIES of PITFORTHIE SCT & LONDONDERRY IRE
Guthrie Family Group 2A (GFG2A) stands as the largest and most vibrant cluster in the Guthrie DNA Project, uniting descendants of a single patriarchal ancestor from 16th-century Scotland—likely tied to the historic Guthries of Pitforthie. Many lines journeyed through County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, before crossing the Atlantic as Scotch-Irish immigrants, planting roots across early America and fanning out to nearly every corner of the U.S. (including CT, DE, PA, VA/WV, OH, NC, SC, TN, GA, AL, VT, NY, NJ, and beyond).
What makes GFG2A truly captivating is its robust DNA evidence: the highest number of participants, predominant Guthrie surname matches at Y-111 level, and emerging genetic clusters that hint at closer kinships among branches. This ancient tree isn’t just numbers—it’s stories of resilience, innovation, and surprise connections. Highlights include racing legend Janet Guthrie (first woman to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500), chemist Dr. Samuel Guthrie (who independently discovered chloroform), and a fascinating maternal link to Sir Winston Churchill.
Spanning 15 branches (A–O), GFG2A reflects diverse migration waves—from early 1700s settlers to later 19th-century arrivals—and even mysteries resolved through modern DNA. It’s a dynamic group where testing continues to bridge gaps in paper trails, reveal paternal events, and connect living relatives. Whether your Guthries hailed from Pennsylvania frontiers or Southern plantations, GFG2A invites exploration, collaboration, and discovery.
Haplogroup Family: R1b – DF13
Big-Y 700 testing results currently show the MRCA of GFG2A branches A, B, C, D, H, and K being designated as RBY-107525, a man estimated to have been born about 1605 CE.
Additional Big-Y 700 testing is required for the other main branches of GFG2A in order to determine if there are more distant Guthrie branches prior to the this common ancestor’s Y-DNA profile.
Branches Chart for GFG2A
The table below summarizes each branch in order (A–O), drawing from the group’s main overview and known details. Progenitors represent the earliest confirmed or hypothesized patriarchal figures. Key facts highlight migrations, notables, or unique traits. Recommendations emphasize DNA’s role, as it’s central to the project’s progress (many branches benefit from additional testers for clustering and confirmation).
The Origins of GFG2A: Faith, Iron, and the Frontier
Guthrie Family Group 2A represents one of the largest and most genetically cohesive clusters in the Guthrie DNA Project. While their shared Y-DNA points to a single common ancestor in Scotland, the family legends of their various branches offer a colorful tapestry of origin stories—from royal connections to harrowing escapes during religious persecutions.
Key Origin Theories
1. The “Three Brothers” Theory (Ironmongers of Edinburgh)
One of the most enduring legends, primarily associated with Branches B, F, and I, suggests that the family progenitors were three brothers—Robert, John, and James Guthrie—who operated an iron manufacturing business in or near Edinburgh around 1680.
- The Story: Faced with religious persecution, the brothers dissolved their partnership. John reportedly moved to Ulster, Ireland, before immigrating to America (settling in Connecticut), while Robert and James eventually made their way to Pennsylvania.
- Genetic Reality: DNA confirms these branches are indeed related, though the timeline of their arrival in America (varying from 1700 to 1718) remains a subject of active research. Challenges remain due to the “hypothetical” families gathered together in published works as children of Robert and James.
2. The Seven Brothers Theory
A variation of the “Three Brothers” legend expanded to include several others who immigrated to Colonial America within the same 20+ year period. This likely reflects the rapid expansion of the family in the American colonies, where multiple Guthrie households appeared in the same Pennsylvania and Delaware townships (such as Mill Creek and Oxford) during the early 18th century. Y-DNA testing has conclusively proven this theory as false by identifying several different genetic groups.
3. The Covenanter & The Royal Stuart Connection
Branch H (John Guthrie & Ann Hill) holds a vivid tradition involving John Guthrie Sr., a “zealous Covenanter.”
- The Escape: Legend says John Sr. was forced to flee the “Killing Times” in Scotland. He reportedly hid in a sea cave on the west coast until he could hail a passing French ship to take him to Ireland.
- Royal Blood: This branch also claims that John’s wife, Jane Stuart, was a descendant of the Royal House of Stuart. While Y-DNA proves the Guthrie side, the “Royal Stuart” link remains an unproven (but popular) piece of family lore. The original text claims that Jane was a descendant of an Irish branch of the Royal House of Stuart.
4. The Pitforthie Claim (GFG2A vs. GFG3A)
Branch G specifically claims descent from the Guthries of Pitforthie, a line known for producing influential ministers and Covenanters.
- The Conflict: Interestingly, GFG3A (Branch B) also lays claim to the Pitforthie heritage.
- The DNA Verdict: Current genetic evidence suggests GFG2A is the more likely candidate for the Pitforthie line, as many of the historical Pitforthie men were “men of religion” consistent with the GFG2A profile, whereas GFG3A lineages appear to trend toward different Scottish regions (Ayrshire).
5. The Frontier Soldier: The French & Indian War
Branch D features Archibald Guthery (I), a figure of the American frontier. Archibald served as a private in the French & Indian War (serving at Fort Bedford). His descendants were prominent on the Pennsylvania frontiers (Greene County), blending the family’s Scottish heritage with the grit of early American survival.
Are you a male Guthrie descendant of one of these branches?
Your Y-DNA is the “living document” that can prove or disprove these 300-year-old legends. Join the Guthrie DNA Project to see where your specific markers fit into the Pitforthie or Ironmonger puzzles!
Developing Theories: The Genetic Detective Work
The history of Guthrie Family Group 2A (GFG2A) is an evolving puzzle. We balance the “Golden Age” of genealogical texts with the precision of modern Y-DNA testing to separate family lore from historical fact.
The Foundational Texts
Our research stands on the shoulders of two seminal works:
- Records of the Guthrie Family (1898): Compiled by Harriet and Eveline Dunn, focusing on Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Virginia.
- American Guthrie and Allied Families (1933): Compiled by Rev. Laurence Rawlin Guthrie.
While these books are rich with detail, they were written before DNA testing existed. We embrace the “detective work” of sifting through their occasional errors and unproven connections using modern science.
A Global Diaspora
GFG2A is truly international, with documented descendants in Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, our ancestors arrived in multiple waves:
- Direct Scottish Migration: Families coming straight from the Scottish mainland.
- The Scotch-Irish Diaspora: Families who settled in County Londonderry (Derry), Northern Ireland, for generations before crossing the Atlantic.
The Pitforthie Mystery: Noble Blood or Distinct Line?
The most enduring theory links GFG2A to the Guthries of Pitforthie, a cadet branch of the ancient Guthries of Guthrie. However, genetic testing has introduced a fascinating complication:
- GFG1: DNA from the Guthries of Craigie (direct heirs to Guthrie Castle) matches Group 1.
- GFG2A: Our group matches a different genetic signature.
This raises a pivotal question: Is GFG2A a distinct offshoot, or is the “noble” lineage more genetically complex than previously thought? We are currently hunting for a common ancestor, possibly James Guthrie, Laird of Pitforthie, or a related contemporary.
DNA: The Modern Compass
Where paper records fail, DNA illuminates the path. We use two primary methods to bridge the gaps:
- Pattern Markers: These are unique genetic variations shared by specific branches. By identifying these “mutations,” we can cluster families together even when historical records (like burnt courthouses or lost ship manifests) are missing.
- The “Living Document”: Every new Y-DNA test from a distant cousin refines the map. DNA has already helped us identify non-paternal events (NPEs), adoptions, and name changes that would have otherwise remained hidden forever.
The Goal: To blend traditional research with cutting-edge science, ensuring every Guthrie—regardless of record gaps or variant spellings—can find their rightful place in the family story.
Dr Samuel Guthrie 1782MA-1848NY An American chemist, inventor and physician. He discovered Chloroform, which radically changed the medical field by providing an anesthetic. He also invented percussion pills, an appliance that superseded the flint lock in firearms. The process by which potato starch could rapidly be converted to molasses was another discovery. Samuel Guthrie was a descendant of Branch F’s John Guthrie & Abigail Coe via their son James Guthrie & wife Abigail Betts.
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill 1874CT-1965ENG British politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940-1945 and 1951-1955. He was the first person to be made an honorary citizen of the United States. His 2ndGGM was Sarah Guthrie, daughter to Branch F’s John Guthrie & Abigail Coe of CT.
Janet Guthrie Race Car Driver, Athlete. Janet Guthrie was the first female race car driver to compete in a NASCAR Winston Cup stock car race, the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona 500. She was named to the Women’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, and the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2006. Janet Guthrie is a descendant of GFG2 Branch E.
🧩 Is This Your Piece of the Puzzle?
Your family story is a thread in a global tapestry.
While you may only know your immediate relatives, you are genetically linked to thousands of Guthrie cousins across the globe. That “minor” detail in your grandmother’s journal or that obscure Bible record in your attic could be the missing link a fellow researcher has been hunting for decades.
How You Can Help:
- Share Your Knowledge: Have you found a record that clarifies an ancestor’s location?
- Contribute a Story: Do you have a family legend or a photo that brings a branch to life?
- Write with Us: Want to feature your branch in an article? We can help you draft it!
- Solve a Mystery: Are you a DNA enthusiast? Help us analyze pattern markers.
Don’t let your branch of the tree remain a secret. [Contact Ann] today to share info, suggest an article, or start a collaboration.
Let’s write the next chapter of the GFG2A story together.