The First Test

In 2007 the first DNA sample was submitted by a man with the Joines surname to begin the Joines/Joynes/Jines DNA Project. The results of that test showed that the Y-Chromosome of that Joines man was classified as belonging to, what is known today as, the “T” haplogroup.

The T Haplogroup

Haplogroup T originated sometime between 15,000 and 22,000 years ago, making it a relatively young haplogroup. T is descended from haplogroup K, the ancestor of most of the Eurasian haplogroups (L, N, O, P, Q,R and T), and whose origins are thought to lie in the Middle East or in Central Asia.

Haplogroup T is a fairly rare lineage in Europe. It makes up only 1% of the population on most of the continent, except in Greece, Macedonia and Italy where it exceeds 4%, and in Iberia where it reaches 2.5%, peaking at 10% in Cadiz and over 15% in Ibiza. The maximal worldwide frequency for haplogroup T is observed in East Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya,Tanzania) and in the Middle East (especially the South Caucasus, southern Iraq, south-west Iran, Oman and southern Egypt), where it accounts for approximately 5 to 15% of the male lineages. Besides these regions and Europe, T is found in isolated pockets as far as Central Asia, India, Cameroon, Zambia and South Africa.

The ancestors of the Joines men in America were believed to have been from the British Isles. It’s interesting to note that Thomas Jefferson is believed to have belonged to haplogroup T. His ancestors were also believed to have been from Wales as are the ancestors of the Joines family.

One of the men in the Joines/Joynes/Jines DNA Project ordered a “Big Y” test of his DNA sample. This test greatly refines the results. The results of this test show that he, and all the other T’s in the Project, had an ancestor from the region of what is present day Turkey and Lebanon about 8500 years ago. So how did the haplogroup T, a haplogroup with Middle Eastern origins, get to the British Isles? There are several possibilities including this: The higher than average frequencies of haplogroup T in places like Cyprus, Sicily, Tunisia, Ibiza, Andalusia and the northern tip of Morocco suggest that haplogroup T could also have been dispersed around the Mediterranean by the Phoenicians (1200-800 BCE), and that ancient Phoenicia seemingly had a higher incidence of T than Lebanon does today (5%). Other possibilities include with the Romans or with the Celts. There are many other possibilities. Only further testing will reveal the true migration pattern of the male ancestors of the Joines/Joynes/Jines Family.

Edmund Joines alias Edmund Gunter (200 year old mystery solved through DNA)

In the Will of Ezekiel Joines, which was probated in Wilkes County, North Carolina in August of 1803, Ezekiel appears to name two sons; Thomas Joines and Edmund Joines “alias Edmund Gunter”. The use of the term “alias” during this time period usually indicated a child born out of wedlock. Ezekiel’s second wife’s maiden name was Gunter. This seemed to leave open the possibility that Edmund was not a biological son of Ezekiel’s. The first member of the Joines/Joynes/Jines DNA Project was a descendant of Ezekiel’s son, Thomas. The second member of the project was a descendant of Edmund Joines, alias Edmund Gunter. When the DNA test were completed for both men they were a match, meaning that both men had a male ancestor in common. Most likely that male ancestor was Ezekiel, proving that Ezekiel Joines was the father of Edmund Joines alias Edmund Gunter

Giles County, Tennessee

A descendant of George W. Joines from Giles County, Tennessee has been tested.The results prove that the descendants of George Joines and the descendants of Ezekiel Joines have an ancestor in common. George Joines is believed to have been a son of Thomas Joines who lived in Giles County. Census records indicate that Thomas was born in Maryland about 1785.

Joseph Joines

The results have been returned for the descendant of Joseph Joines. The results prove that the descendants of Joseph Joines of Kentucky, the descendants of George Joines of Tennessee, and the descendants of Ezekiel Joines of North Carolina have an ancestor in common.

A branch of the Joseph Joines Family changed the spelling to Jines. The member that has been tested uses the Jines spelling. This proves that the Jines variation and the Joines variation are descendant from a common ancestor.

Edmund Joynes

A member has joined the project that is a documented descendant of Edmund Joynes. Test results have been returned and this member is a match with every other member that has been tested, to date. This means every member from America has a common ancestor. Could that ancestor be Edmund Joynes? Edmund lived on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in the late 1600's and died there about 1712. Only further research will determine this.

Joynes from England

We have had a man tested from England with the surname Joynes. The results show that this man belongs to haplogroup G-M201. This shows that not all men with the surname Joynes/Joines are genetically related.

The Barton Surname

There have been a couple men with the Barton surname that have been tested and the results show that they have a male ancestor in common with the Joynes/Joines men from America. Only further testing and more research will reveal how these men are genetically related.