Zorn
Genetics
Historical records of the Zorn family name goes as far back as to the
year of 1197. Through a DNA test it is however possible
to go even further back in time. As the Zorn lineage as those of most
family names are inherited on the male side of the family, it can be traced
through a so called “haplotype test” of the Y-DNA on the male Zorns.
This test, results in a genetical profile that could provide the answer
to "if all Zorns are descendants from the same
forefather".
One test that was performed on a Zorn male family member indicates an
origin in the gene J2e1 (M102). This gene exists today most frequently
in Italy and reaching a peak in the southern Balkan area. The limits of
this particular gene is however not restricted to this area but exists
also in areas as far away as Pakistan, and India. One intriguing
speculation is that perhaps the gene got its eastern expansion with
Alexander the Great and the western expansion with Greek colonists and
slaves that were taken during the Roman conquest of Macedonia
(speculations!!!).
First when a more comprehensive DNA study on more
Zorns have been conducted, it will be possible to determine if they all have
the same forefather. There is however a chance that the J2e1 gene links
the Zorn family back to Roman/Italian ancestors that came in a
larger scale to the region of Alsace with the Roman conquest of it in the year
of 58 BC, or perhaps via trade routes established to towns such as Kempten. It is also interesting to note that this family name has a
distinct origin in southern German/French regions such as Baden-Württemberg,
Bavaria and Alsace.
The particular genotype of one Zorn family member (J2e1) is estimated to have
arisen about 8000 years ago according to the researcher Semino. As
genetically testing becomes more advanced it is likely that it in the
near future will be possible to trace the genetic origin of the
forefathers of the family name Zorn to certain regions or villages
several thousands years ago!So hopefully we will be able to
contribute more info to this section through the participation of more
Zorn family member.
Zorn DNA match
According to a DNA test the Zorn DNA had a
relatively close match with members of the family names Friedrich and Rothchild.
This might however only suggest that we all shared a common ancestor
several thousands years ago. The match was made in a comparison with
over 70 000 other Y - DNA samples from all over the world.
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