DNA Results and Project Summary - June 2013

    The GEER DNA Project has grown to 54 participants since its beginning in 2005. Of this number, 35 y-DNA kits represent participants with direct Geer or Geer variant surnames that have revealed 13 distinct y-DNA lines in the United States, England, New Zealand, Hungary and Germany. Two y-DNA kits were not returned for testing and 17 DNA kits were maternal (mtDNA) submissions.

English Ancestry

     The English ancestry participants have been classified into seven y-DNA groups with participants so far in four groups:

- English Geere / Geer Lineage I: Walter Geere of Heavitree, Devon, England [needs participants]

- English Geere / Geer Lineage II: John Geare of Exeter, Devon, England [ not a match to George or Thomas Geer of Geer Lineage I ]

                                                       : John Geere of Wivelsfield, Sussex, England  [ not a match to George or Thomas Geer of Geer Lineage I ]

- English Gear / Geer Lineage III: Charles W. Gear / Geer of Northamptonshire, England 

- English Geer Lineage IV: Joseph Geer of Kent, England

- English Geer Lineage V: Unknown [Ancestry of Christopher Lynn Geer]

- English Gears Lineage I: Charles Gears of Shropshire, England [needs participants]

- English Dager Lineage I: John Dager of Shropshire, England [needs participants]

     Of particular interest to the Geer Family Association is a DNA connection to the descendants of Walter Geere of Heavitree, Devon, England (English Geere / Geer Lineage I), the presumed ancestor of George and Thomas Geer of Connecticut. We have confirmed a y-DNA profile that indicates four of five participants share a common English ancestor born before the year 1500. This profile does not match any participant in the George Geer or Thomas Geer families of Connecticut (Geer Lineage I).  Two of these participants shared their individual pedigrees that traces their ancestry to Exeter, Devon and Wivelsfield, Sussex respectively (English Geere / Geer Lineage II). This common ancestor is not named as there is a break in the pedigrees of the participants; i.e: in the two identified pedigrees one pedigree goes back further than the other. Participant Alan GEARE of London, 7^th great-grandson of John GEARE (d. 1696 in Exeter, Devon) matches the 12 marker profile of Jeremy Geere, 12^th great-grandson of John GEERE (d. c.1570 in Wivelsfield, Sussex). Participant Robert Joseph Geer also shares these 12 markers and Daniel Leo Geary, Jr. is a 2-step mutation from these markers. Because of the limited comparison value at the 12 marker position further testing is needed to confirm the exact relationship between these participants. A fifth participant, Christopher Lynn Geer (English Geer Lineage V - Unknown), returned a y-DNA profile that did not match any of the other identified y-DNA profiles and did not identify his pedigree other than that his ancestry was English.

     Since these four participants named above returned different DNA y-chromosome Segment #’s (DYS#’s) than those of the George Geer descendants of Connecticut (Geer Lineage I) the possibility still exists that the Geer descendants of Connecticut could be descendants of Walter Geere of Heavitree, Devon since no identified participant from the Walter Geer line has joined the project. Finding and testing a Walter Geer descendant would greatly benefit confirmation of this possible connection.

     Participant George Mitchell Geer (English Gear / Geer Lineage III) identified a Geer lineage that descends from Charles Weston Gear (aka) Geer (b. bef. March 7, 1819 in Potterspury, Northampton, England; d. January 12, 1893 in Westminster, Windham Co., VT). Charles’ father was Christopher Weston of Potterspury, Northampton, England and mother, Ann Gear of Braunston, Northampton, England, daughter of Charles Gear (b. abt. 1755) of Daventry, Northampton, England. The ancestry of Charles Gear is unknown and the y-DNA profile follows the Weston surname.

     George Edward Geer (English Geer Lineage IV), 4^th great-grandson of Joseph Geer (b. c1760 in England, d. c1821 Cranbrook, Kent, England), presents another distinct Englishy-DNA profile. No comparisons limits interpreting these test results. [additional participants needed]

United States GEER / GEAR Ancestry

     The Geer/Gear y-DNA participants in the United States have been classified into thirteen y-DNA groups; seven groups have participants/ five groups have been identified, but do not have participants:

- Geer Lineage I: George Geer of Connecticut [ not a match to Thomas Geer of Connecticut ]

- Geer Lineage I: Thomas Geer of Connecticut [ not a match to George Geer of Connecticut ]

- Geer Lineage II:  John Geer of North Carolina

- Geer Lineage III: Ransom Erastus Geer of Tennessee

- Geer Lineage IV: Peter Franklin Marion Geer of New York and Early Co., Georgia  [needs participants]

- Geer Lineage V: Jesse M. Geers of Virginia and Madison Co., Illinois  [needs participants]

- Geer Lineage VI: John L. Geer of Davis & Hopkins Co., Texas [needs participants]

- Geer Lineage VII: Thomas M. Geer Family of Tennessee 

- Geer Lineage VIII: John Leonard Geer of Bavaria, Germany and Union Co., Ohio [needs participants]

- Geer Lineage IX: John B. Geer of New York, Indiana & Kansas 

- Gear Lineage I: Samuel Geer of Prestion, New London Co., Connecticut 

- Gear / Geer / Gaer Lineage II: Nathaniel Gear / Geer of Orange Co., Virginia 

- Gier Lineage I: Jacob Geiger (aka) Gier of Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany and Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania [needs participants]

Participants and family groups identified with the GEER, GEAR and GAER spellings in the United States have been classified into 11 distinct DNA groups. Geer Lineages IV, V, VI and VIIIrepresenting descendants of Peter Franklin Marion Geer of New York and Early Co., Georgia; Jesse M. Geers of Virginia and Madison Co., Illinois; John L. Geer of Davis and Hopkins Co., Texas and John Leonard Geer of Germany and Union Co., Ohio have had no participants.

GEER LINEAGE I representing descendants of George and Thomas Geer of Connecticut has had seven DNA participants all from the George Geer line with matches or near matches that establishes a y-DNA profile for this family group. No participants have been tested from the Thomas Geer line and ongoing efforts to identify and encourage testing from the Thomas line continues. Of the George Geer descendents tested, the following sons and descendant participants returned a match on all markers or a near match indicating that these men share a common ancestor believed to be George Geer [ID#1].

- Jonathan Geer [ID# 3], first son of George Geer, through 7^th great-grandson James Edward “Beau” Geer and participant Donald Eugene Geer, great-grandson of John B. Geer (Geer Lineage IX) of New York, share a 100% match with each other. However, their y-DNA markers differ from other George Geer descendants at a mutation of 3 markers. This indicates that these men are “probably related” to a common ancestor who may be George Geer, but may possibly be related further back in time. A possible ancestry disconnect from the George Geer line may occur at William Kenton Geer [ID# 995-3] for participate James Edward “Beau” Geer. Participant Donald Eugene Geer does not show a paternal ancestry past John B. Geer of New York. Further research is needed on these two participants to clarify a DNA connection to George Geer. Additional Jonathan Geer descendant testing would help clarify this DNA line.

- Joseph Geer [ID# 4], second son of George Geer, through his 6^th great-grandson, Eugene Warren Geer, Jr., is a 100% match to other George Geer descendants; through his 5^th great-grandson, Mark Francis Geer, and 6^th great-grandson, Dennis Patrick Geer, there is a 1 mutation match indicating that these men are related to other George Geer descendants.

- Daniel Geer [ID# 8], third son of George Geer, through his 6^th great-grandson, James Henderson Geer, is a 100% match to other George Geer descendants.

- Robert Geer [ID# 9], fourth son of George Geer, through his 6^th great-grandson, Kenneth James “Ken” Geer, is a 100% match to other George Geer descendants.

- Isaac Geer [ID# 11], fifth son of George Geer, has had no participants from his descendant line. [needs participants]

- Jeremiah Geer [ID# 12], sixth son of George Geer, through his 5^th great-grandson, Paul William Gere, is a 100% match to other George Geer descendants.

GEER LINEAGE II representing descendants of John Geer of North Carolina has had eight participants with matches that establishes a y-DNA profile for this family group.  All participants returned 100% matches or matches with 1 mutation to the group y-DNA profile. Of particular importance to this DNA group is the inclusion of Solomon Geer [ID# 389] in the 1923 Geer Genealogy. DNA test results disprove this Solomon as a descendant of George Geer [ID# 1]. Detailed research indicates this Solomon is the son of David Geer and grandson of John Geer of North Carolina. The participants and relationships to John Geer of North Carolina include: Robert Sellars Geer and H. Calvin Geer - 4^th great-grandsons; Joseph Richard Geer, John Mattison Geer, Jr. and Samuel Taylor Geer - 5^th great-grandsons; William Francis Geer, Jr. and Wesley Hardin Geer - 6^th great-grandsons; and Steven Wesley Geer - 7^th great-grandson.

Exploring German or Dutch 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 of 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 will provide more comparison in this DNA group.

GEER LINEAGE III representing descendants of Ransom Erastus Geer of Tennessee include four participants that are all a 100% y-DNA match to each other, 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 of North Carolina (Geer Lineage II). The participants and relationships to Ransom Geer of Tennessee include: Carl Wesley Geer and James Horace Geer - 2^nd great-grandsons and Luther Frederick Geer and Gary Franklin Wiseman - 3^rd great-grandsons.

GEER LINEAGE VII representing descendants of Thomas M. Geer of Tennessee has one y-DNA participant, James Anthony Geer a 2nd great-grandson. No comparisons limits interpreting these test results.  [additional participants needed]

GEAR LINEAGE I representing the descendants of Samuel Gear of Preston, New London Co., Connecticut has had three participants that share a y-DNA match with one mutation indicating they share a common ancestor. Since this line is not a y-DNA match to participants identified in Geer Lineage I although it is recorded in the 1923 Geer Genealogy, the results indicate a disconnect from the George Geer Family of Connecticut, possibly at the surname change from GEER to GEAR at Samuel Gear [ID# 57]. The participants and relationships to Samuel Gear include Marcus Daniel Gear, Walter Lunn Geer and William Michael Geer all 5^th great-grandsons.

GEAR / GEER / GAER LINEAGE II representing descendants of Nathaniel Gear/Geer of Orange Co., Virginia has one y-DNA participant, David Glenn Gaer a 5th great-grandson.  No comparisons limits interpreting these test results. [additional participants needed]

GEIER ANCESTRY

     The Geier y-DNA participants have been classified into two y-DNA groups:

- Geier Lineage I : Johann Philipp Gottfried Geier Family of Wurttemberg, Germany 

- Geier Lineage II : John Geier Family of Hungary and Cook Co., Illinois 

GEIER LINEAGE II representing descendants of John Geier of Hungary and Cook Co., Illinois has one y-DNA participant, Troy Allen Geier a 2nd great-grandson. No comparisons limits interpreting these test results. [additional participants needed]  

DAGER ANCESTRY

     The Dager family in the United States needs participants:

- DAGER LINEAGE II : John Dager Family of Herkimer Co., New York

DE GEER / DEGEER ANCESTRY

- De GEER LINEAGE I : Lamber DeGeer Family of Liege, Belgium 

- DeGEER LINEAGE II : Jean De Geer Family of New York 

DEGEER LINEAGE II representing descendants of Jean DeGeer of New York has one y-DNA participant, Charles Vaughn DeGeer a 4th great-grandson. No comparisons limits interpreting these test results. [additional participants needed] 

DEGER ANCESTRY

DEGER LINEAGE I representing descendants of Basil Deger of Germany ad Montgomery Co., Ohio has one y-DNA participant, William Deger a 4th great-grandson. No comparisons limits interpreting these test results. [additional participants needed]

Unknown Geer Lineages -Participants may share their individuals ancestries with the project to help in identifying related individuals that may be DNA tested.

SUMMARY

The GEER y-DNA Project, in addition to identifying and grouping Geer and Geer variant surname participants into genetic family groups, has most importantly identified changes to the 1923 GEER GENEALOGY which had included Solomon Geer [ID# 389] and Samuel Gear [ID# 57] as descendants of George Geer [ID# 1]. DNA results indicate these two family groups have distinct y-DNA profiles that differ from the profile of descendants of George Geer. Such results are sometimes unexpected, but serve to identify an accurate ancestry for those participants and family groups. Descendants should not be disappointed with the revelations of y-DNA testing for it gives one new avenues to explore and new ancestors to cherish.

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.

Geer Lineage I - George Geer 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 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 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 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 the surname change from GEER to GEAR at