The Wonders of DNA

As detailed in the previous blog Family Chart 11 - Descendants of John Pask from Gautby Lincolnshire on 10 March, we were fortunate to recruit a male to do a Y-DNA test. 

The results were received this morning, and are worth their weight in gold! It established that John Pask (c1745-1793) is linked to the main PASK Lincolnshire progenitor. 

John is the progenitor of Chart 11: John PASK, (c1745-1793) married Elizabeth FOUNTAIN and they lived in Gautby, Lincolnshire #7697. His 521 descendants will now be assigned to Chart 01.  

Thoroughout March, and early April, we have been reviewing the 523 people assigned to Chart 11, trying to find a possible link. Fortunately the DNA result has now given us which family to focus on, as Chart 01 families originated in Washington in the late 1500s, and then Wellingore in the early 1700s, spreading throughout Lincolnshire in the mid 1700s. 

A superb result - sincere thanks to the Y-DNA Tester. Our findings will be included in the next website update.

If you are interested in doing a DNA test - there are now tests available for males and females. Do get in touch.  

Family Chart 11 - Descendants of John Pask from Gautby Lincolnshire

A couple of weeks ago, we were fortunate to recruit a male to do a Y-DNA test. The results will hopefully help considerably in establishing whether John Pask (c1745-1793) is linked to other PASKs from Lincolnshire. 

John is the progenitor of Chart 11: John PASK, (c1745-1793) married Elizabeth FOUNTAIN and they lived in Gautby, Lincolnshire #7697.

At the last website update, there were 523 people assigned to Chart 11. The majority of the narratives were last updated in 2006. So we decided to review this family, and include the latest information, now readily available on the internet. This includes, baptism, marriage, and burial transcripts and images from the parish registers. Also the new GRO online index, which now has the mother's maiden name for indexes between 1837 and 1911 - a significant 'new' resource. Also The 1939 Register, a superb resource that was like a ‘census’ and taken on 29 September 1939 just after the outbreak of war. It was then used to issue identify cards, and subsequently ration cards.

So far, we have found an additional 41 descendants, and have only touched the surface of Chart 11. We will continue to work on this family whilst we wait for the DNA results - this normally takes 4-6 weeks from receipt at the laboratory in Texas, USA. So watch this space.

In the meantime, if you have any additional information on Chart 11, don't hesitate to contact us at pask@one-name.org.

Link between Chart 42 and Chart 01

This information relates to the descendants of William Pask (c1720- ) who lived in Cwmcarvan, Monmouthshire.

This information relates to the main Lincolnshire tree - descendants of Johannis [John] and Elizabeth Pask née Archer, who lived in Lincolnshire.

Last week we had some exciting, and mind-blowing news. There is probably a link between Chart 42 Monmouthshire, and Chart 01 Lincolnshire.

We were investigating Stuart's DNA Family Finder (Autosomal) results, and realised that there was a match with someone who is a descendant of Caroline Amelia Paske, from Family Chart 42 of Monmouthshire. Whilst the relationship is distant - perhaps 8th or 10th cousin, it indicates that probably their common ancestor William Pask c1720 originated from Lincolnshire, and was not linked to the other Monmouthshire families.

We are currently including the descendants of Caroline Amelia into the Pask database. She married Robert Henry Silvester in 1871. Currently their four children are not included. We hope to have them, and their 60+ descendants included in the next website update.

In the meantime, we appeal to anyone in Family Chart 42 with a living PASK(E) male to persuade them to take a Y-DNA test. We have several matching test results in Family Chart 01, but no one has taken a Y-DNA test in Family Chart 42.

Alternatively, if any females in Family Chart 42 would like to take a Family Finder test, this would provide us with more indicators that there is a definite link between Family Chart 01, and Family Chart 42.

Do contact us for more information on purchasing a DNA kit. As we are members of the Guild of One-Name Studies, we are entitled to discounted priced DNA kits. See DNA Kits available from the Guild.



 

DNA Testing for Pask Family Group 39

This information relates to Chart 39 - Thomas PASK, (1766-b1851) who lived in St. Pancras.

A member of family group 39 has kindly agreed to do a DNA test. The test kit has now arrived at the laboratory at Family Tree DNA, and assigned to the PASK DNA study.  

The results will take approximately 6-8 weeks. So hopefully by late October we should have the results.

What will it tell us?  Optimistically it will match with one of the other family groups. This will give us a direction on where to focus to find documentary evidence. With a name like Thomas, it is difficult to distinguish which Thomas this may be - especially as we currently don't know where he originated.

A conclusive test will enable us to identify the origins of several of Thomas & Martha Pask née DENT descendants, like (to name a few):

Sergeant Major John Pask (1884-1963), who served in the 2nd Battalion Kings Regiment in Bengal, where he married Marion Tristram in 1917.

Edgar Henry Pask (1879-1959), who married Evelyn Clara Flowers in 1901. In the 1911 census, he was listed as a Captain of a Private Yacht.

Edgar's great-great niece Naomi Pask, who lives in Gibraltar. We met her, and her family, in March earlier this year.

Edgar's great-granddaughter Clare Pask, has provided information on his descendants.

Walter Pask (1876-1908) who died at the age of 32; He was killed in a railway accident, leaving his wife Jane Annie Chester, with four children. This included Arthur Pask (1905-1991), who together with his brother Walter, and his grandmother and Aunts Nelly and Kate, immigrated to Melbourne Australia in 1912. Arthur was a very talanted man. He played the cello in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, he was an accountant, and also the Team Manager for the Australian Archers in the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany.

Arthur was the father of keen family historian Yvonne Pask. We have been in correspondence with Yvonne since 2009 and she has provided extensive information on both this family and other Pasks who lived in Australia.

Isaac Arthur James Pask, M.C., DSO., R.G.A. (1881-1916), who was a Captain in the Royal Field Artillery, 28th Brigade. Isaac was killed in action on 1 September 1916, fighting in World War I in the Somme, at the age of 35.

James Morton Pask (1848-1930), who joined the Royal Navy as an Instructor. Whilst serving on the H.M.S. Druid, he took part in the Ashantee war led by Sir Garnet Wolseley in Oct 1873-March 1874. James had in his possessions two skulls shaped into drinking cups, that were taken by King Hama-dikky (King of Dixcove). These are now deposited at the British Museum.

James' great-great nephew John Morton Cross, who we met at the Pask Family Gathering in 2008, and who has extensively researched this family and provided detailed narratives.

If you are a Pask, Paske, or Pasque male, we encourage you to take a DNA test. To date, we have tested 23 men, and this has helped us considerably with the Pask One-Name Study. Alternative if you are a Pask, Paske, or Pasque female, we ask you to encourage your fathers, or brothers to do the test. More information on the process, cost, etc., are available from pask@one-name.org.

DNA Testing for Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) Update

This information relates to Chart 29, the descendants of Thomas Pasque, (c1700-1754) who lived in Theberton, Suffolk.

We have received the results of the DNA testing of Roy Parsk, who kindly agreed to do a DNA test for Chart 29. This is a particularly interesting family as there has been numerous spellings of the name. See the previous blog dated September 12.

The DNA results show that this family (extensively researched by several, including Herbert Bunt, Martyn K. Elmy, Valerie Francis, Kevin Parsk, Roy Parsk, and Geraldine Edwards) has the same DNA as Chart 06. Chart 06: Indented Chart - Unknown PASK lived in Kedington, Suffolk #13655.

This means that the 326 people currently assigned to Chart 29 will be merged with Chart 06 which already has 1596 people. We need to establish how Thomas Pasque links into Chart 06. Hopefully this will be completed in the next website update. Thomas lived in Theberton, some 60 miles from Kedington.

In the meantime, the results of the DNA test can be seen on www.familytreedna.com in Pask DNA Project - Y-DNA Classic Chart.

Many thanks to Roy for agreeing to do the DNA test and for allowing us to publish his name in the hope of encouraging other male Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) to come forward and volunteer to do the test. It is strongly recommened that more than one person from each group take the test.

DNA Testing for Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que)

This information relates to Chart 29, the descendants of Thomas Pasque, (c1700-1754) who lived in Theberton, Suffolk.

As a result of the recent successful DNA testing, Roy Parsk has kindly agreed to do a DNA test for Chart 29. This is particularly an interesting family as there has been numerous spellings of the name.

Thomas Pasque married Ann Knighting on 8 June 1732 in Theberton, Suffolk. Thomas was the Parish Clerk there. His 220+ descendants span 11 generations, and have many variants of the name, including Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que). This family has been extensively researched by several, including Herbert Bunt, Martyn K. Elmy, Valerie Francis, Kevin Parsk, Roy Parsk, and Geraldine Edwards.

Roy's own ancestors had the names of PARSK, PASQUE, PIRSK, and PASK. Whilst most of them originated from Suffolk, there are family rumours that they came from Essex. Let's hope the DNA testing will confirm there is a connection between this family and one of the main progenitors.

Many thanks to Roy for agreeing to do the DNA test and for allowing us to publish his name in the hope of encouraging other male Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) to come forward and volunteer to do the test. It is strongly recommened that more than one person from each group take the test.

New DNA Results for Chart 34 & Chart 49 - Monmouthshire

This information relates to Chart 34, the descendants of Philip Pask, (1768-1843), who lived in Bryngwyn, Monmouthshire, and
  Chart 49: Charles Pask (1760-1833) who lived in Dingestow, and Cwmcarvan, Monmouthshire #8663.

A recent DNA test has revealed a match between Chart 34, and Chart 49. They matched 32 out of 37 markers.

Whilst we cannot currently find the documentary evidence to link the Monmouthshire families from Chart 34, and Chart 49, they are probably the same family. In the next website update, we will merge all these families into one chart. The connection is probably somewhere in the 1700s, which will need further documentary research.

In the meantime, the results can be seen on the Family Tree DNA website in the Pask DNA Project.

Thank you to all concerned for taking part in the DNA project. We welcome any male Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) to participate in the Pask DNA Project - do contact us for further details. DNA testing is really a major contribution to the Pask One-Name Study.

DNA Results for Chart 01 - Lincolnshire

A follow-on to the post earlier on June 28 - New DNA Results.

This information relates to Chart 01, the Lincolnshire Main Progenitor - John Pask, (c1520 - 1591) who lived in Washingborough, Lincolnshire. (Stuart's own ancestors).

All test results, 37 of 37 markers, have now been received. They match the other 3 families in this group. A great and significant result!

Whilst we cannot found the documentary evidence to link the Lincolnshire families from Chart 1, and Chart 3, they are conclusively the same family, as they all share the same DNA. We have merged all these families into one chart, and this can be seen on the Pask website in the next website update, that is imminient. 

In the meantime, the results can be seen on the Family Tree DNA website in the Pask DNA Project.

Thank you to all concerned for taking part in the DNA project. We welcome any male Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) to participate in the Pask DNA Project - do contact us for further details. This is a major contribution to the Pask One-Name Study.

New DNA Results

Another excellent result in the DNA Project.

This information relates to Chart 01, one of Lincolnshire main families - William Pask (c1695-), who lived in Wellingore, Lincolnshire (Stuart's own ancestors).

This information relates to the main Lincolnshire tree - descendants of Johannis [John] and Elizabeth Pask née Archer, who lived in Lincolnshire.

Whilst we cannot found the documentary evidence to link the Lincolnshire families from Chart 1, and Chart 3, today we heard the initial results of the DNA tests currently in progress from a descendant of Chart 3.

Whilst this is only the first 12 of 37 markers, all 12 match with the 3 DNA tests in Chart 1. This is superb news, as this means they all share the same DNA.

The results can be seen on the Family Tree DNA website in the Pask DNA Project. Later next month we will include the results on the DNA website page. Also these families will be merged in the next website update. 

Thank you to all concerned for taking part in the DNA project. We welcome any male Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) to participate in the Pask DNA Project - do contact us for further details. This is a major contribution to the Pask One-Name Study.

Website Update 2 October 2011

The website was updated yesterday Sunday 2 October 2011.

As a result of DNA tests (see blog New DNA Test Results), two charts have been combined.
Chart 01: William Paske, (c1695- ) lived in Wellingore, Lincolnshire, and Chart 18. Three descendants of these two charts proved to have the same DNA.  

Other updates included relate to the following charts / family groups:

Chart 01: William Paske, (c1695- ) lived in Wellingore, Lincolnshire
Chart 02-1 John Pask, eldest son of Suffolk Main Progenitor - John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow
Chart 06: Unknown Pask lived in Kedington, Suffolk
Chart 06a: John Pask, (1798-1861) wife Sarah Meers, lived in Stoke by Clare, Suffolk
Chart 10: Essex Main Progenitor - John Pask, (1771-1847) Thundersley, Essex
Chart 48: George Pask (1818-1904), lived in Northamptonshire

In addition, there is a new chart now available -
Chart 55: William Paske, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk #3606
William Paske was married Ann Elmer on 27 December 1814 in St. Mary's, Bury St. Edmunds. He was a Boot Maker. The family moved to London. This is only a very small chart, and hopefully in the future, we can link him to John & Mirabel Sparrow. Many thanks to Rod Kerr for his information on this family.

There are 78 new narratives added since the last update, making a total of 8,934 detailed narratives now available on the website - although there are now 13,398 people in our database, that includes living people.

A full list of the recent changes to the narratives is available in the New or Changed Narratives section.

New DNA Test Results

Great news relating to the DNA Project:

This information relates to the Lincolnshire tree Chart 18: Joseph (1761-1831) and Ann Pask née Hand, who lived in Caythorpe, Lincolnshire.

As reported in the previous blog DNA Project in July. We hoped this test would establish whether the Lincolnshire Pasks from Charts 01, 03, and 18 are all related.We are delighted to say that they are. The 278 people from Chart 18 will now be merged with Chart 1, making a total of 1365 in this family tree.

Once we established that there was a connection, it confirmed that Joseph Pask, who lived in Caythorpe was the same Joseph Paske who was baptised on 4 April 1762 in Wellingore, Lincolnshire. He was the son of William and Mary PASKE. These records will be merged in the next website update. 

The results can be seen on the Family Tree DNA website in the Pask DNA Project.

Thank you all concerned for taking part in the project. We welcome any male Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) to participate in the Pask DNA Project - do contact us for further details. This is a major contribution to the Pask One-Name Study.

DNA Project

Great news relating to the DNA Project:

This information relates to the Essex tree - descendants of Harry and Norah Pask née Cannon - Chart 53: Harry PASK, (1867- ) wife Norah CANNON, who lived in Buckhurst Hill, Essex.

DNA Test results have just arrived from a descendant of Harry and Norah Pask née Cannon. They match with the DNA from descendants of Peter Pask of Kedington, Suffolk - See Chart 06. We will now focus on trying to find documentary evidence to support this link so that we can merge these two charts.

This information relates to the Lincolnshire tree - descendants of Joseph and Ann Pask née Hand - Chart 18: Joseph (1761-1831) and Ann Pask née Hand, who lived in Caythorpe, Lincolnshire.

Fortunately we have recently been in touch with the family of a Nonagenarian who will very shortly be 100 years old. He agreed to do a DNA test. It is now being tested at Family Tree DNA in Houston, Texas. Results are expected in approximately four weeks' time, starting 19 August. We hope this will establish whether the Lincolnshire Pasks from Charts 01, 03, and 18 are all related.


This information relates to the main Suffolk tree - descendants of John and Mirabel Pask née Sparrow, in particular the descendants of their son John, and his wife Katherine Kippin.

In December 2010, we appealed for someone to do a DNA test, from one of the descendants of Chart 02 - John and Mirabel Pask née Sparrow's son John, who married Catherine Kippen, to establish and confirm that this is the DNA string for the main Suffolk tree. We are delighted to say that someone has completed the test and it is now been sent to Family Tree DNA in Houston, Texas. Results are expected in approximately six weeks' time.

The results can be seen on the Family Tree DNA website in the Pask DNA Project.

Thank you all concerned for taking part in the project. We welcome any male Pa(r)s(k)(e)(que) to participate in the Pask DNA Project - do contact us for further details. This is a major contribution to the Pask One-Name Study.  

New DNA Test Results

This information relates to the main Suffolk tree - descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow, in particular the descendants of their second son Daniel, and his wives Elizabeth Pask née Manning, and Mary Pask née Peachey.

A new DNA test result (kit number 192294) has arrived for a descendant of Daniel & Elizabeth Pask née Manning. This matches with the results (kit number 125478) received two years ago from another descendant. The two testers are 5th cousins once removed. So this is very positive news.

We really need another test completed on one of the descendants of John & Mirabel Pask née Sparrow's other son John, who married Catherine Kippen, to establish and confirm that this is the DNA string for the main Suffolk tree.

The results can be seen on the Family Tree DNA website in the Pask DNA Project.

Thank you all concerned for taking part in the project.

Power of DNA

This information relates to Chart 6 - Peter & Catherine Pask née Frost, born 1739 in Kedington, Suffolk.

In May, we exchanged information with Raymond Pask of Australia - see the blog titled
Descendants of James & Charlotte Mary Pask née Chaffin. Raymond kindly agreed to do a DNA test. When his results came back they matched exactly with another Pask, also living in Australia. Raymond did not know of his existance.

A fortnight ago Raymond, together with his brother Edward met Colin Pask, and his sister. They established that their grandparents Henry James Pask, and Arthur Pask were brothers. The family had immigrated to Australia in the late 1890s.

If you are a male Pask, and are interested in doing a DNA test, do contact us, and we will explain the technicalities, costs, and outcome. Alternatively look at the webpage Pask DNA Project for more information.

Pask DNA Project

There are now nine DNA test results available relating to the following family charts:

Chart 02: Descendants of John Pask of Wickhambrook, Suffolk

Chart 03: Descendants of John Pask of Washingborough

Chart 04: Descendants of Isaac Pask of Monmouthshire

Chart 06: Descendants of Peter Pask of Kedington, Suffolk

Chart 10: Descendants of John Pask of Thundersley, Essex

Chart 30: Descendants of James Pask of Bardney, Lincolnshire

Chart 41: Descendants of James Pask of Finsbury, London

Chart 47: Descendants of Robert Pask (Pass) of Frieston, Lincolnshire

A comparison of all the test results is available in the PASK DNA Project section.

Suprisingly only two people have matched - in Chart 03. However, a recent test of a descendant of Peter Pask (Chart 06) has matched with a Pask not currently in the Pask DNA Project. So we are hoping that another match will be listed in the near future.

We encourage male Pask, Paske, Parsk, and Pasque and the derivatives to take the 37-marker Y DNA test. To achieve maximum benefits we encourage 2-3 males from each family tree detailed on the Charts list to participate.

DNA Tests Completed

Both Stuart & John have completed their DNA tests, and returned the swabs to Family Tree DNA's office in Texas.

The genetic test kit consisted of a cheek scraper and collection tube. The test was a painless cheek scraping. The effect of using the scraper is about the same as brushing your cheek with a soft bristle toothbrush. Two backup scrapers & tubes were included to insure that they have good samples for their lab.

It will now take approximately seven weeks to test the DNA sample, analyze the specimens and compare the results to data in the existing genetic library. So we can expect the results just after Christmas. The results will be entered into Family Tree DNA's secure, private and confidential non-web-based genetic library. A comparison between the specific genetic markers and those of others in the database will then be performed and the results provided.

The Family Tree DNA's primary test attempts to determine if 2 people thought to be unrelated actually had a common ancestor. The test is for genealogy NOT for paternity, alimony or other legal purposes.

There are answers to many of the frequently asked questions available on the Family Tree DNA website. There is also a Genealogy & DNA Forum.

If you are interested in participating in the PASK DNA Project, just send us an e-mail. We are particularly interested in testing two PASK males from each of the family lines, detailed in the Charts webpage. By participating in this project you will enable us to link up many of these charts.

PASK DNA Project Now Set Up

The Pask DNA Project is now set up on the Family Tree DNA website. This will enable us to get the reduced project price of US$ 189 for the 37 marker Y DNA test.

Participating in this DNA Project is an opportunity for us to uncover information not provided in the paper records. We will also discover which family trees are related.

We encourage male PASKs to take the 37 marker Y DNA test. It will tell you about your direct male line, which would be your father, his father, and back in time. To achieve maximum benefits only two male PASKs from each family tree detailed on the Charts list is required.

We will be publishing the latest results of the DNA testing at the Pask Family Gathering in July 2008.

DNA Kit Arrived

Stuart's DNA kit arrived in the post this morning. He has to take three samples over a period of 9-12 hours. Unfortunately he had just had his lunch, so he has to wait at least one hour before starting the process.

Hope to send it back tomorrow.

DNA Project - Special Project Price

I received good news from Susan Meates, the Guild of One-Name Studies (GOONS) DNA project coordinator. I should have received the project price for the DNA tests - not $259 as originally believed, but $189. A substantial saving.

She is assisting us with setting up a project, hopefully today. Once that is done, the new price will become effective. Any keen DNA testers, should hold off for a few days. So watch this space!

If you have already purchased one - I understand that one person has. Then contact us, and we will arrange for a refund of the difference.

DNA Project Started

As part of the preparations for next July's family gathering, we have started a DNA project, with Family Tree DNA, the pioneer and the world's largest DNA company in the new field of genetic genealogy.

Two kits have so far been purchased for:

1. Stuart Charles Pask, representing the Pasks of Great Gonerby - Black-Icon Family Tree (Chart 1)


2. John Henry Pask from Aldershot, representing the Pasks of Fulbeck: Turquoise-Icon Family Tree (Chart 22)

We have known John since 1982, and it is about time we proved we are related. We are also very keen for others to test who represent the Pask families from Suffolk, Lincolnshire, Monmouthshire, and Essex. The DNA test will help us identify whether these lines are connected, even though we do not have the documental evidence to prove it.

The Paternal DNA, passed from father to son, tests the Y-chromosome, which is only found in males and is useful in verifying common ancestry. The DNA test will be the very extensive 37 marker paternal test. A perfect match of 37 markers means that the two individuals matching shared a common ancestor in recent times.

It will also provide us with more information, like deep ancestral origins, matches with other individuals that share the same results, our recent ethnic origins, and FTDNATiP - the Time Predictor to the Most Recent Common Ancestor between the test takers.

The Family Tree DNA test kit consists of three cheek scrapers and three collection tubes--designed for a single persons use.

If you are interested in joining this project do contact us, and we will explain the technicalities, costs, and outcome.

This is truly an exciting milestone in the Pask, Paske One-Name Study and our 27 years of research.