DNA Results and Project Summary - July 2009 During the past year our participant number has grown to 31 providing a picture of the genetic makeup of eleven (11) separate Geer/Gear/Gaer/Geere DNA family lines in the United States, England and New Zealand. Special thanks to Donna Gear Loper (GEAR LINEAGE I), Ginger August (GEER LINEAGE I), Gary Wiseman (GEER LINEAGE III) and Jeremy Geere (English Geere/Geare/Geer Lineage II) for persevering on their respective lines and their commitment to the Geer DNA Project. Unknown Geer Lineages - Participants G-21, G-25 & G-26 do not share a common DNA profile with any other project participant, thus indicating other possible Geer lineages in the United States. Geer Lineage I - George and Thomas Geer Families of Connecticut: Participants G-12, G-13 and G-24 have been shown to be an exact DNA match, this indicating their common ancestor to be George Geer (c1621-1726) of Preston, New London Co., CT. Participant G-11 was a near match to these participants, but is probably not related due to a genetic distance of 2 in the 12 yDNA markers. This indicates that the ancestry of participant G-11 may have a disconnect from the George Geer line, possibly at William Kenton Geer [ID# 995-3]. Geer Lineage II - John Geer Family of Orange Co., North Carolina: Participants G-2, G-3, G-7, G-14, G-18 & G-20 all share an exact DNA match indicating a common relationship to ancestor John Geer (d. 1769) of Orange Co., NC. In particular, participants G-7, G-14, G-18, G-20 all share a common ancestor identified as Solomon Geer [ID# 389], proving that this Solomon was misplaced in the 1923 Geer Genealogy and not a descendant of George Geer [ID# 1] of Connecticut. Geer Lineage III - Ransom Geer Family of White Co., Tennessee: Participants G-1, G-5, G-6 and G-31 are an exact DNA match indicating they share a common ancestor, believed to be Ransom Erastus Geer (1802 - 1885) of Sparta, White Co., TN. This DNA profile is also an exact match to the Nanney surname that can be traced back to Brunswick Co., Virginia and later Rutherford and Orange Co., NC. It is speculated that Shadrach Nanney (1769 Brunswick Co., VA - 1836 Union Mills, Rutherford Co., NC), son of John B. Nanney (1746-1804) and Ellie Cator (b. c1745), is Ransom’s father based on marriage dates and locations of the family, however it cannot be known for sure in that the DNA profile only indicates genetic connection and not specific individuals. Ransom’s mother is identified as Mary “Polly” Geer, daughter of Frederick Geer and granddaughter of John Geer (d. 1769) of Orange Co., NC (Geer Lineage II). This relationship is supported by the affirmation of Mary’s great-grandson, Hul Higgson Usrey (1867-1977) of White Co., TN who states: … My father's name is Thomas C. Usrey. He was the son of Sam Usrey and Mary, his wife. Her name before her marriage was Geer, the daughter of Frederick Geer (Ransom was her son) before her marriage to my grandfather, Sam Usrey. ... by H. H. Usrey, May 16, 1939 Geer Lineage IV - Peter Franklin Marion Geer Family of New York and Early Co., Georgia: This line needs participants. Gear Lineage I - Samuel Gear Family of Preston, New London Co., Connecticut: Participants G-4, G-10 & G-22 share a DNA match indicating they share a common ancestor. Since this line is not a DNA match to participants identified in Geer Lineage I and recorded in the 1923 Geer Genealogy, the results indicate a disconnect from the George Geer Family of Connecticut, possibly at Samuel Gear [ID# 57]. See comments for further research below. Gear/Gaer/Geer Lineage II - Nathaniel Gear/Gaer Family of Orange Co., Virginia: Participant G-19 has identified a DNA profile that needs additional participants in order to establish a connection to a common ancestor. English Geere/Geer Lineage I - Walter Geere of Heavitree, Devon, England: This line needs English participants to identify a DNA profile that may provide evidence of a connection to Geer Lineage I - George & Thomas Geer Families of Connecticut. English Geere/Geer Lineage II - Unknown Common Ancestor born before 1500: Participant G-15, a descendant of John Geere of Wivelsfield, Sussex, England, is an exact DNA match to participant G-17, a descendant of John Geare of Exeter, Devon, England, indicating in this case that the Geere's of Sussex are genetically related to the Geare's of Exeter. Participants G-15 and G-17 share an unknown common ancestor, born before the year 1500. Participant G-13 does not share a DNA profile with G-15 & G-17 indicating at some point in his ancestry there is a disconnect from John Geere of Wivelsfield, Sussex, England. Greer Lineages - Participants G-8 & G-9 do not share a common DNA profile. Participants may find a common ancestry in a Greer surname project. Comments for further research: All Geer/Gear/Gaer/Geere ect. family lines would benefit from additional participants. Our goal is to test each male line from the identified patriarch to firmly establish each DNA line profile. Specifically, previously untested lines of De Geer, Gehr, Gayer would be welcome for participation. Unknown Geer Lineages - Participants may share their individuals ancestries with the project to help in identifying related individuals that may be DNA tested. Geer Lineage I - Finding English participants from the Walter Geere family (English Geere/Geer Lineage I) could clarify DNA markers for the descendants of American Immigrants George & Thomas Geer of Connecticut. Descendants of Joseph William Geer [ID# 995] should be tested to clarify the ancestry of participant G-11. Geer Lineage II - Exploring German, Dutch or Swedish ancestry may benefit the search for the European origins of Geer families that settled in the southern United States and may identify the American Immigrant of the descendants of the John Geer (d. 1769) of Orange Co. North Carolina. Continued testing of other male descendants on this line such as: William Geer (d. bef. May 28, 1770) of Brunswick Co., Virginia, William Geer (d. bef. May 8, 1844) of Morgan Co. Georgia; Frederick C. Geer (d. abt. November 5, 1848) of Wake Co., NC; Jesse B. Geer (d. aft. 1880) of Durham, NC and Frederick "Fred/Teddy" Geer (d. May 25, 1867) of White (now Putnam) Co., Tennessee.Geer Lineage III - Continued testing of Ransom Geer descendants: R. M. Geer (b. 1850), Samuel Vance Geer (b. 1858), William J. “Will” Geer (b. 1860) and Erastus Alexander “Alex” Geer (b. 1868) will further develop the genetic profile of this Geer line. It is assumed that Ransom’s sons John Wayman Geer (1835 - c1851) and Samuel Vance Geer (1838 - bef. 1860) had no issue due to their deaths at young ages. Gear Lineage I - Continued testing of descendants of Samuel Gear [ID# 57], specifically descendants of Samuel Gear, Jr. [ID# 177], Epaphras Gear [ID# 179], George Gear [ID# 180] and Hezekiah H. Gear [ID# 181]. English Geere/Geer Lineage II - Further traditional genealogy research and additional participants from identified patriarchs John Geere (c1520 - c1569/70) Wivelsfield, Sussex, England and John Geare (d. 1696) of Exeter, Devon, England are needed to identify a common ancestor.
DNA Results - November 30, 2007 (corrected May 19, 2008)
DNA Results - October 24, 2007
Results from participant G-18, a descendant of Solomon Geer of Anderson Co., SC (ID# 389 in the 1923 Geer Genealogy), show an exact DNA match to participants G-2, G-3 and G-7, who have been shown to be descendants of John Geer of Orange Co., NC (Geer Lineage II) noted in the April 2007 and November 2005 result summary.
DNA Results - September 15, 2007
Results of participant G-17, a descendant of John Geare d. 1696 of Exeter, Devon, England have been returned and identify an additional Geer/Geare/Geere DNA line in Great Britain that does not match any previous identified results.
DNA Results - September 14, 2007
Results of participant G-19, a descendant of Nathaniel Gear/Gaer (1732-1815) of Orange Co., Virginia have been returned and identify an additional Geer/Gear/Gaer DNA line in the United States. Ancestory of Nathaniel is bleived to decend from Israel Gare (b. c1632) poss. of Devon/Dorset, England. Israel immigrated to America in 1652, when he arrived under a seven year indentured servent contract to William Debnam, residing along Crany Creek on the Ware River in Mobjack Bay, Virginia. Israel is belived to be the father of Jonthan Gare who in turn is the father of William Gare/Gayer the father of Nathaniel. William's will is recorded at the Court House in Saluda, Middlesex Co., VA
DNA Results - early September 2007
Results of participant G-16, a descendant of Immigrant George Geer (1621-1705) through his son Daniel have been shown to be an exact DNA match with participant G-12, a descendant of George Geer through his son Joseph. These results establish clear DNA makers for descendants of George Geer of Connecticut.
DNA Results - August 2007
Results of participant G-12, a descendant of Immigrant George Geer (1621-1705) have been shown to be a near match with participant G-11, a descendant of Charles Thomas Geer of King Co., WA. Since these results show a variant on two marker locations, it is suspected that the descendants are possibly not related although sharing a common surname. It is possible that each of these participants have had a mutation on their respective DNA lines and verification of such mutations must be confirmed through testing of additional descendants of George Geer. These results also indicate that participants G-4, G-10 do not show a genetic relationship to participants G-11 and G-12 or those participants identified as members of other identified Geer lineages.
DNA Results - May 2007
Results from participant G-11, a descendant of Charles Thomas Geer of King Co., WA do not show a DNA match to any previous study participant. Conclusions can still not be drawn on the descendant DNA of Lineage I - George Geer as participants G-11 and G-10, G-4 have both indicated possible descent lines from immigrant ancestor George Geer. Comments for further research: Another participant with a proven ancestry from George Geer is needed to provide comparison data to establish this DNA line.
DNA Results - April 2007
Results from participant G-7, a descendant of Solomon Geer of Anderson Co., SC (identified in the 1923 Geer Genealogy with ID# 389), show an exact DNA match to participants G-2 and G-3, who are descendants of John Geer of Orange Co., NC (Geer Lineage II) noted in the November 2005 result summary. Solomon is speculated be the oldest son of David (1745-1821), ancestor of participant G-3; since 1800 census data shows both David and Solomon living in Rutherford Co., NC and David’s 1821 Last Will and Testament mentions only three children, although he is known to have had many more. The 1790 birthdate of John (b. 1790) son of David (1745-1821) is based on 1790 & 1800 census information assuming David only had two sons. But there is an indication in later census data that John was born in 1791. Since David’s (1745-1821) household in 1790 shows one son under 16 and his 1800 household shows two sons under 10, AND Solomon has his own household in 1800; it seems reasonable to assume Solomon (ID# 389) could be the oldest son of David (1745-1821):
from: Rutherford, NC 1790 First Federal Census Index [Date SNDX L Name F Name NARS StR Pg# Family Grp.] 1790 G600 GEIR David M-637 007 118 01 01 06* 00 00: 1 white male over 16 (Husband: David); 1 white male under 16 (son: John or Frederick) [OR COULD THIS BE SOLOMON (ID# 389)]; 9 white females (wife: Susannah; daughters: Lucy, Sally,Susanna, Nancy, Rachel, and 3 unidentified females) 1800 U.S. Federal Census, Rutherford Co., NC, Series M32, Roll 33, part 1, p. 114 - David Geer (spelled Gear) household: 2 white males under 10(sons: John & Frederick) [SOLOMON (ID# 389) BELOW???]; 1 white male 45 upward (husband: David); 2 white females under 10(daus.: Gilley, married ? & Karen, married 1815); 2 white females 10-15(daus.: Nancy, married 1807 & Rachel, married 1809); 2 white female 16-25(dau.: Sally, married 1802; & Susanna, married 1804); 1 white female 45 upward(wife: Susannah); Lucy married 1799 1800 U.S. Federal Census, Rutherford Co., NC, Series M32, Roll 33, part 1, p. 114 - Solomon Geer (spelled Gear) household: 1 white male 26-44 (husband: Solomon); 1 white female under 10(daughter: Susan); 1 white female 16-25(wife: Nancy [nee Nichols] )
This deduction, along with the exact DNA match among the David, Frederick and Solomon Geer descendant lines, maybe more reasonable than placing the two unidentified males (one older than 16; one under 16) in Frederick Geer's 1790 household (David’s 1745-1821 brother) as Solomon (ID# 154) and Solomon, Jr. (ID# 389):
1790 Federal Census, Wake Co., NC, August 2, 1790, p. 274, Reel #M637-7, Sheet #37, Line 8 - Federick Ge*s 02 02 06 00 09 Total 19: 2 Free White Males 16+ (husband: Frederick; unidentified male); 2 Free White Males 0-16 (son: William; unidentified male); 6 Free White Females (wife: Martha; daus: Elizabeth, Lucy, Mary, Susanna, & Sarah); 9 Slaves
Since the 1923 Geer Genealogy has been shown to be incorrect on David Geer (ID# 390), it is suspected that John (ID# 895) is really John (b. 1790), son of David (1745-1821) and that these individuals ID# 390 and ID# 895 did not exsist as sparate individuals. Solomon (ID# 154, b. 1760) would appear to be too young (while not impossible) to have a son Solomon (ID# 389, b. December 1775). Research directed toward Solomon (ID# 44) may clarify a connection, if any, to immigrant ancestor George Geer (ID# 1). As well, an additional participant from the George Geer family line is needed to substantiate that DNA line heretofore identified by only one family DNA test. Participant G-10, brother to participant G-4, completed a 37 marker test. Participant G-5 has been shown to be an exact match to Lineage III - Ransom Geer Family of White Co., TN, whose DNA has been found to be an exact match to the surname NANNEY. Comments for further research: Additional participants are needed from the George Geer Line to prove a DNA line for the George Geer family (Lineage I).
Initial DNA Results - November 2005
Results are now in so that initial conclusions can be made about family relationships for current participants. Read this discussion in conjunction with the Patriarch page and DNA Results page.
LINEAGE I - George and Thomas Geer Families of Connecticut
Lineage I is assigned to this family based on traditional family history that these two brothers where the immmigrant ancestors of many American GEER families.
Primary Conclusions: Participant G-4 is not a match to participants G-1, G-2 or G-3. More participants are needed to establish a lineage for this family line.
LINEAGE II - John Geer Family of North Carolina
Primary Conclusions: Participants G-2 and G-3 share a common ancestor. A statistical calculation shows that this common ancestor could have lived anywhere between 1-28 generations before the test subjects, with a most likely expectation of 8-9 generations earlier.
Theories: John could be the common ancestor of Lineage II. This relationship between descendants of David Geer (b. c1745 NC) and descendants of John Geer (d. 1769 NC) would make participants G-2 and G-3 fifth cousins once removed. However, it is very possible that some or all matching family(ies) independently descend from a common ancestor who could have lived as early as the 15th century.
LINEAGE III - Ransom Geer Family of White Co., Tennessee
Primary Conclusions: Participant G-1 does not share a common male ancestor with participants G-2, G-3 or G-4, disproving the often cited relationship that David Geer (b. c1745 NC and ancestor of participant G-3) is the father of Ransom Geer. Circumstantial evidence, however, supports a family connection to Lineage II through John's granddaughter and an unidentified consort as noted on the patriarch page. Thus, Lineage III is included as part of Lineage II. Participant G-1 would then be a fourth cousin to participant G-3 and fifth cousin of participant G-2.
Comments for further research: As we gain more results, we expect to add designations for additional Lineages. Further testing of Geer descendants from George and Thomas Geer, particularly descendants of Solomon Geer (b. 1760, d. April 15, 1809) who settled in Anderson Co., SC, would help in clarification of these family lines. Another participant from the Ransom Geer line would also provide clarification of Lineage III.
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