GFG9
GUTHRIES of ORKNEY SCT / GA / SC and IRE / MA / NY
The Two Pillars of GFG9
The group is currently defined by two distinct branches that, while geographically separated, share a common genetic signature.
Branch A: The Descendants of Thomas Guthrie & Jean Duncan
This branch represents the established Guthrie lineage tied to Thomas Guthrie and his wife, Jean Duncan. The DNA evidence for this line comes from two descendants of their son, John Guthrie.
- The Connection: These two test subjects descend from two different sons of John, providing a solid “triangulation” for the family’s genetic profile.
- The DNA: Both participants have completed Y-37 marker tests. Interestingly, there is a 2-step genetic differencebetween them. In the world of genealogy, this suggests that while they are definitely related, enough generations have passed for a few “hiccups” (mutations) to occur in the code.
Branch B: The Blacksmith of New York
This branch follows the lineage of John Guthrie, a blacksmith in New York, and his wife, Bridget Healy.
- The Connection: Currently, this branch is represented by a single descendant.
- The DNA: This participant has only completed a Y-12 marker test. While a Y-12 test is a “low-resolution” snapshot, it shows a 1-step difference from the Thomas Guthrie descendants in Branch A.
The Genetic Plot Twist: A Tale of Three Surnames
The most fascinating aspect of GFG9 isn’t the Guthries themselves, but who they match outside of the family. DNA testing reveals that the Guthrie men in this group share more common ground with other surnames than with other Guthrie groups (like GFG1 or GFG2).
The Surname Matches: The Y-DNA profiles for both Branch A and Branch B frequently return matches for men with the following surnames:
- Green / Greene
- Padgett
What does this mean? > This is a classic indicator of a “Non-Paternal Event” (NPE) or a voluntary surname change deep in the ancestral past. It suggests that the biological patriarch of GFG9 may have originally been a Green or a Padgett, or that all three families share a common ancestor from a time before surnames were strictly hereditary.
GFG9 Technical Summary
Despite the limited testing for Branch B, the consistent matching with Green and Padgett descendants across both branches acts as “genetic glue,” keeping this group unified under the GFG9 banner.
The Path Forward
To unlock the full story of GFG9, we need more data. Upgrading the Branch B participant to a Y-37 or Y-111 test would clarify the relationship to Branch A. Furthermore, “Big Y” testing could pinpoint exactly when the Guthrie line diverged from the Green or Padgett lineages.
- Descendants of Thomas Guthrie 1732SCT-1797SC & Jean Duncan
- Descendants of John Guthrie 1817IRE-p1860NY & Bridget (MNU)
GUTHRIE-DUNCAN
Thomas Guthrie was born in Stromness, Orkney, Scotland. All but one of his children with Jean Duncan was born in Scotland. They traveled to America as indentured servants to Thomas Brown, possibly as payment for their passage. They arrived in Georgia in September of 1774. By 1788 they resided in the Camden District of South Carolina, and in 1790 were listed in the census of Abbeville, South Carolina. There is no known documentation identifying Thomas Guthrie’s parents, nor do any genetic clues lead us in that direction.
GUTHRIE-HEALY
John Guthrie is documented in the 1860 census of New York, a blacksmith married to Bridget (Maiden Name Unknown). His birth location is listed as Ireland. Their daughter Susan’s 1847 birth was in Massachusetts, while the next child, Patrick Guthrie, is listed as being born in New York in 1851 Further data on John’s origins may be found in immigration records, or in other documentation in Massachusetts.
🧩 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 GFG9 story together.