All male Hartnett/Harnett descendants, regardless of race, ethnicity or the precise spelling of their last name, are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Harnett Surname DNAproject. The project analyzes the Y-chromosome to determine kinship. Men inherit both their Y-chromosome and their surname from their fathers; and pass both on to their sons. Women do not have a Y-chromosome, and traditionally adopt their husband’s surname. Therefore, female descendants are only able to participate in the Harnett Surname yDNA project through a male Harnett relative. However, Harnett women, or those with a Harnett ancestor, are encouraged to consider the FamilyFinder test in their own right.

Project Objectives

• To identify the haplotypes associated with the various distinct branches of the Harnett families in the Abbeyfeale/Dromtrasna/Newcastle West areas of Co. Limerick

• Determine how Harnett Irish emigrants to a given country are related to each other.
  

•         Enable a living male Harnett anywhere in the world to identify his Irish family of origin.
  
  
  DONATIONS
  
  Donations to the Group General Fund will be used to sponsor participants who have Irish ancestry that the Harnett DNA Committee feels will help reach our project goals.