Researching Strong(e) & Strang(e) in Britain and Ireland

"Goals: The beauty of DNA testing for genealogy derives from its use to test a hypothesis that two or more (specific) individuals share a common ancestor. This hypothesis may be based on circumstantial evidence from traditional genealogical sources, family tradition, or a common surname. Even with a surname (particularly a common surname), it is desirable to have some paper trail that leads to a potential person or place as a common origin.

Why does the present study include the spectrum of names variantly spelled "Lestrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong"? Simply, it has been hypothesized that there has been an evolution of spellings over the centuries, and that many present day families bearing these surnames are indeed related at some remote point in time through presently unknown ancestors. Further, the late John R. Mayer articulated an hypothesis that there were two distinct groupings of families with the spelling "Strange or Strang". Basically along the lines that families claiming an English origin were likely descended from the Breton or Norman family "LeStrange". Those families claiming a Scottish origin were likely sprung from a separate group, perhaps having a Norse background in individuals fore-named "Strangi". For a further examination of the hypothesis as John R. Mayer spelled it out, see: John R. Mayer Memorial Webpage- The significance of his work

In general, this Study may help to clarify some of these questions:
1. How many different common male ancestors are associated with the LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong surname?
Answer: The are probably numerous different CMA's associated with the various lineages; we have identified several distinct haplotypes which probably cannot be linked together within genealogically significant timeframes. See the respective "New England", "Southern", "Strange of Balcaskie", "Tynan Abbey", "Sligo", "Donegal Bay", "French and Norman" Haplotypes.

2. How are your LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong ancestors related to other families with the LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong surname?
Answer: See the discussion of Various Hypotheses, with Findings and Conclusions, below.

3. How are the different LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong family lines related?
Answer: See the discussion of Various Hypotheses, with Findings and Conclusions, below.

4. Are all LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strongďż˝s from an ancestral country related, or are there many different families with the name LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong?
Answer: There appear to be at least several different families bearing the Strong and Strang or Strange surnames. See the discussion of Various Hypotheses, with Findings and Conclusions, below.

5. Can a connection between the LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strongs from Ireland and the LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strongs from Scotland or England be made?
Answer: It appears that connections can be made and that as a consequence the focus of various research efforts can be usefully narrowed.

6. Can a connection between the LeStrange/Streing/Strang (and variant spellings) families from France and the LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strongs from Scotland or England be made?
Answer: No. See the discussion of Various Hypotheses, with Findings and Conclusions, below.

7. Can a connection be made between the LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strongs families of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries world-wide, and the various LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong families of France, England or Scotland?
Answer: Yes... as to certain families. See the discussion of Various Hypotheses, with Findings and Conclusions, below.

8. Which LeStrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong researchers should be collaborating because they share a common ancestor?
Answer: See the discussion of Various Hypotheses, with Findings and Conclusions, below.

There are many lineages claiming some version of these variant spellings. A partial listing is set out in the Lineages Directory... sufficient at this point to give us a beginning for an attempt to organize and analyze the results of the Lestrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong DNA Study. Hopefully we will be able to prove or disprove the hypotheses re the connectivity of the various variantly spelled lineages. For the purposes of the present study, it would be highly desirable to have at least two of the oldest male representatives from each of the known lineages participate. There are various reasons for this, which are articulated below.

There are some limitations on what can be established using DNA studies. Obviously, we won't be able to establish the name and identity of any "missing links". And, for now, given the science involved, the tests should probably be limited to male representatives of each lineage, emphasizing sampling of the oldest available members of each lineage, and finding multiple test subjects in each lineage for verification purposes. However, we may be able to establish things such as:

1) Are particular branches of the Lestrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong lineages being studied by DNA Study participants related genetically?
2) How many generations back from the samples tested did the various lineages have a common ancestor?.... and that could be important in putting bones on the hypotheses re how the lineages fit together.
3) Given testing in other lineages, to what degree are the other lineages related? E.g., are my "Irish" Donegal/Fermanagh lineages related to the Down/Antrim and/or South Carolina "Irish" lineages which claim a Scottish descent, or are they English in origin? If English, are they related to the various Strong or Strange lineages of England? Or are they related to the "Virginia Strong" and/or the "Elder John Strong of New England" lineages? If so, what is the most likely linkage? The same questions can be asked about MANY different Lestrange/Strange/Strang/Stronge/Strong lineages known to us.

Proposed Findings and Conclusions re certain Hypotheses: Where are we now (September, 2003) in accomplishing those goals? What have we established to date? What can we do to further the project? Let us examine some of the hypotheses which have been tested in the study, and state the findings:

Hypothesis #1: "The Lestrange families of England are related to the d'Estreng/Strang family found in France and New Jersey, USA".
Finding: The sole member of the d'Estreng/Strang lineage who has been tested to date is a member of Haplogroup I, as defined by the "Y Chromosome Consortium" (YCC). The sole member of the Strange family of Virginia, thought to be descended from the Lestrange families of England, is a member of YCC Haplogroup J-2. These two subjects have haplotypes quite different from each other.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #6611 & 6491; and DNA Notes #1 & 2.
Conclusion: If it can be assumed that they are true representatives of their respective lineages and that the Strange family of England is indeed descended from the Lestrange lineage, then the logical conclusion is that the Hypothesis #1 is disproved. The evidence in support of this conclusion is still quite thin, with only two test subjects involved. Further participants from the respective surnames and lineages should be tested to corroborate the findings and conclusion.

Hypothesis #2: "The Strange family of New Kent County, Virginia, USA is related to the "Southern" Strong family of New Kent County, Virginia, USA; the implication being that there is only a name variation separating the two lineages and that they have a common root."
Finding: The sole representative of the Strange family of New Kent County, Virginia who has been tested to date has a quite different haplotype from that of the "Southern" Strongs.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kit #6491 & the "Southern" Assumed Haplotype; & DNA Notes #1,2,4,8,9.
Conclusion: The Hypothesis is disproved. The two families are separate and distinct. Further testing of Strange subjects should be conducted to corroborate the finding and conclusion.

Hypothesis #3: "The Southern Strong family and the New England Strong family are related. "
Finding: The two lineages share some characteristics, but have several differences. Subject to further testing, while the lineages may have a common origin in the distant past, the differences are far enough apart at the present to suggest the relationship is not within a genealogically significant timeframe.
Evidence:See DNA Results re the Assumed Haplotypes "New England" and "Southern".
Conclusion: The two lineages are separate and distinct.

Hypothesis #4: "The Norfolk Strong lineage is closely related to the Southern Strong lineage. "
Finding:The two lineages share some characteristics, but have several differences. Subject to further testing, while the lineages may have a common origin in the distant past, the differences are far enough apart at the present to suggest the relationship is probably not within a genealogically significant timeframe.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kit #7036 vs the Assumed "Southern" Haplotype; and DNA Note #4.
Conclusion:The two lineages are separate and distinct.

Hypothesis #5: "The Strang/Strong family traceable to the Shetland Islands of Scotland is related to the Strange of Balcaskie lineage. "
Finding:The two lineages have many differences. They are probably not related.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #5825 and 8881; and DNA Notes #11 & 12.
Conclusion:The two lineages are separate and distinct.

Hypothesis #6: "The Strang/Strong family traceable to the Shetland Islands of Scotland is related to the Strong family of Southwestern England. (This is a relatively new hypothesis which has been born out of the results of the DNA Study)"
Finding:The two lineages share some characteristics. Subject to further testing, the lineages may have a common origin within a genealogically significant timeframe.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #5825, 8915, 9937; and DNA Note #12
Conclusion: Probably related, but requires further testing and/or genealogical research.

Hypothesis #7: "The Strang/Strong family traceable to the Shetland Islands of Scotland is related to the Strong family of County Longford, Ireland. (This is a relatively new hypothesis which has been born out of the results of the DNA Study) "
Finding:The two lineages share significant characteristics. Subject to further testing, the lineages may have a common origin within a genealogically significant timeframe.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #5825, 8915, 9937.
Conclusion:Probably related, but requires further testing and/or genealogical research.

Hypothesis #8: "The various Strong families of County Longford, Ireland, are related to each other and to the Strong families of Southwestern England."
Finding:Assuming, as is probable, the New England Strong family is representative of the Strong family of Southwest England, the two lineages share some characteristics. Subject to further testing, the lineages may have a common origin within a genealogically significant timeframe.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #8915 & 9937, and the "New England" Assumed Haplotype.
Conclusion:The two Longford lines are confirmed as related to each other within a genealogical timeframe; and further are probably related to the Strong of southwest England, although additional testing and/or genealogical research is desireable.

Hypothesis #9: "The various Strong families of Ireland are all of English descent."
Finding:To date, we have identified at least four distinct haplotypes amongst the "Irish" Strongs. Of these, only the Longford Strong family shares characteristics with the Strongs of Southwest England, and indeed appears to be most closely related to the Strongs of the Shetland Islands, now also thought to be descended from the Strongs of Southwest England.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #8915 & 9937, and the "New England" Assumed Haplotype.
Conclusion: The Longford and English Strongs are probably related, but the hypothesis requires further testing and/or genealogical research.

Hypothesis #10: " The various Strong families of Ireland are all of Scottish descent. "
Finding:To date, we have identified at least four distinct haplotypes amongst the "Irish" Strongs. Of these, one (County Longford) appears to be English; two (Donegal Bay; and Tynan Abbey-Armagh, Antrim, Down/South Carolina)are most probably Scottish in origin, and one (Sligo)is still unclear.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #8915 & 9937; "Strange of Balcaskie", "Tynan Abbey", and "Donegal Bay" Assumed Haplotypes; and DNA Notes #7, 11, 12.
Conclusion:Most, but not all, "Irish" Strongs are probably "Scots-Irish" rather than "Anglo-Irish"."

Hypothesis #11: "The Strong Family of South Carolina is related to various other Strong family lineages of Counties Down and Antrim, Ireland."
Finding:The respective families share a mostly common haplotype, with only a few differences.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #6386, 6256; and the Tullinisky discussions.
Conclusion: The hypothesis is proved; further genealogical research can proceed with a degree of confidence that the lineages converge, most probably in Scotland.

Hypothesis #12: "The Strong family of County Monaghan is descended from a younger son (William) of the Rev. John Stronge of Tynan Abbey."
Finding:The Monaghan Strong haplotype is identical with that of the descendants of another supposed younger son (John) of Rev. John Stronge of Tynan Abbey.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #8920 & 7548; DNA Note #11; and the Carlisle Discussion.
Conclusion: The hypothesis is proved; further genealogical research can proceed with a degree of confidence that the lineages converge, most probably in County Armagh, Ireland.

Hypothesis #13: "The Strong family of Carlisle, Cumbria, England, is descended from a younger son (John) of the Rev. John Stronge of Tynan Abbey."
Finding:The descendants of John Strong of Carlisle haplotype is identical with that of the descendants of another supposed younger son (William) of Rev. John Stronge of Tynan Abbey.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #8920 & 7548; DNA Note #11; and the Carlisle Discussion.
Conclusion: The hypothesis is proved; further genealogical research can proceed with a degree of confidence that the lineages converge, most probably in County Armagh, Ireland.

Hypothesis #14: "The Stronge of Tynan Abbey Family is descended from Strange of Balcaskie. "
Finding: There are similarities, but also significant differences between the apparent haplotypes. What appears to be the Tynan Abbey lineage haplotype more closely resembles the Antrim, Down & South Carolina haplotype.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kit #8881; and DNA Note #11.
Conclusion: The Stronges of Tynan Abbey are probably not descended from the same Common Ancestor as that of Strange of Balcaskie within a genealogically significant time frame.

Hypothesis #15: "The Stronge of Tynan Abbey Family is descended from the same Common Ancestor as that of the Strongs of Antrim, Down & South Carolina. "
Finding:The supposed Tynan Abbey Stronge haplotype is nearly identical with that of the Strongs of Antrim, Down & South Carolina.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #7548, 8920, 9014, and 6256 & 6386; DNA Note #11; and the Carlisle and Tulliniskey Discussions.
Conclusion: The hypothesis is probably proved; further genealogical research can proceed with a degree of confidence that the lineages converge, most probably in Scotland. Additional testing of a representative of the known Tynan Abbey lineage would help confirm the findings and conclusion.

Hypothesis #16: "Certain "Strong" surnames have evolved as variations from "Strang or Strange". "
Finding:DNA Kit #6680 representing a Strong family traceable to Pennsylvania, USA, has a haplotype very close to that of Strange of Balcaskie.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #6680 & 8881; and DNA Note #11.
Conclusion: The Pennsylvania Strong lineage in question originated as a Strang or Strange family with Scottish roots; the surnames are variants with the same root. The Pennsylvania Strong lineage is probably related to Strange of Balcaskie within a genealogically significant timeframe.

Hypothesis #17: " The various Strong lineages believed to have roots in Counties Donegal and Fermanagh are related. "
Finding:The kits tested to date, involving three different lineages, appear to share the same haplotype with the exception of possible mutations.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #6643, 5811, 6761, and 8431; DNA Note #7.
Conclusion: Subject to further testing of additional representatives of additional "Donegal and Fermanagh" lineages, these families are likely all related, probably within a genealogically significant timeframe. Further genealogical research can proceed with this conclusion in mind when trying to establish genealogical descendancies.

Hypothesis #18: "The Strong families of Counties Sligo, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan, and Kings and Queens in Ireland are descended from a common ancestor. "
Finding:There has been no testing of the Cavan, Kings, and Queens Strong lineages to date; therefore one cannot eliminate the possibility of relationships to certain of the other lineages. The Longford, Monaghan, and Sligo Strongs are each of different haplotypes.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kit #6822 and those included in the Assumed "Tynan Abbey" Haplotype; and DNA Note #11.
Conclusion: Subject to further testing, the hypothesis is probably disproved.

Hypothesis #19: "The Strang/Strange families of Scotland descend from the Armstrong clan, and bear a different surname as a result of possibly deliberate name changes. "
Finding:No testing has been accomplished as yet.
Evidence:None as yet.
Conclusion:None.

Hypothesis #20: "The Donegal Bay Strong lineages are related to the Blair and Murray families of Scotland. "
Finding:There are some distinct similarities between the Donegal Bay Strong haplotypes and certain of the Blair haplotypes. No testing of the Murray lineages has been accomplished.
Evidence:See DNA Note #7.
Conclusion: None as yet.

Hypothesis #21: " The John R. Mayer hypothesis: There were two distinct groupings of families with the spelling "Strange or Strang"; basically along the lines that families claiming an English origin were likely descended from the Breton or Norman family "LeStrange", and those families claiming a Scottish origin were likely sprung from a separate group, perhaps having a Norse background in individuals fore-named "Strangi". "
Findings:
1)There are definite differences between the Strange haplotypes of England and Scotland.
2) There are further differences between those English Strong and Strange lineages tested to date.
3) There has been insufficient testing to show any connection between the English Lestranges, etc., and the Breton or Norman Lestranges.
4) There has been insufficient testing to show any connection between the Scottish Strang/Strange families and the Norsemen; and further, to date no test subject has shown the so-called "Viking" Haplotype, H-3.
Evidence:See DNA Results generally.
Conclusion: John R. Mayer was on the right track with his hypothesis; however, the details are proving to be more complex than might have been assumed from the initial hypothesis.

Hypothesis #22: "The Strongs of Cumberland, in the north of England, are a different lineage than the Strongs of Southwest England. "
Finding: If the descendants of John Strong of Carlisle, Cumbria, are typical of the other Strongs of Cumberland, they are of a different haplotype than the Strongs of Southwest England and New England.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #7548 vs the "New England" and "Southern" Assumed Haplotypes.
Conclusion: Subject to further testing, the hypothesis is probably proven true.

Hypothesis #23: "The Strongs of Newfoundland are descended from the Strongs of Hampshire, in the southwest of England. "
Finding:The Newfoundland Strong lineage haplotype is similar to the New England Strong haplotype.
Evidence:See DNA Results re Kits #6746 vs the "New England" Assumed Haplotype.
Conclusion:Subject to further testing, the hypothesis is probably proven true.

STRONG/STRONGE/STRANGE/STRANG/LeSTRANGE & ARMSTRONG DNA RESULTS

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Researching Strong(e)s and Strang(e)s in Britain and Ireland; 2nd Edition

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STRONG/STRONGE/STRANGE/STRANG/LeSTRANGE & ARMSTRONG DNA RESULTS