MtDNA Haplogroups

H3 [widespread across Europe, second most common of the H lineages] — My father’s matrilineal haplogroup. Furthest known ancestor: Nancy Balkcum (1807-1854, Duplin County NC), my great-great-great-great-grandmother. Margaret Balkcum Henderson, whom I believe to be her daughter, is my father’s matrilineal ancestor. He is also descended from Mary Eliza Balkcum Aldridge, whom I believe to have been Margaret’s sister, and whose matrilineal descendant has also tested H3.

J1c2 [widespread, but low frequency, across Europe; also Middle East] — The haplogroup of my father’s mother’s father’s mother. Furthest known ancestor: Levisy Hagans Seaberry (~1824-~1875, Wayne County NC), my great-great-great-great-grandmother. (Or, if my conjecture is correct, her mother Leasy Hagans (1800-~1855, Nash County).

L2d1a [relatively uncommon, West African origin, also found in Yemen, Mauritania and Sudan] — My mother’s matrilineal haplogroup. Furthest known ancestor: Margaret McConnaughey Miller (1821-~1875, Rowan County NC), my great-great-great-grandmother.

L1c1a1a1b — The haplogroup of my mother’s father’s mother. Furthest known ancestor: Matilda Holmes (~1840, Charlotte County VA- 1885, Charles City County VA), maiden name unknown.

Y-DNA Haplogroups

J2b1 [southern Balkans and Anatolia] — My father’s patrilineal haplogroup. Furthest known ancestor: Green Taylor (1817-~1885, Nash County NC), my great-great-grandfather.

R1b1b2a1a [R1b1 is the most common of European lineages] — My father’s mother’s mother’s mother’s father’s haplogroup (as derived from a descendant of his brother.) Furthest known ancestor: James Henderson (1815-~1890, Onslow County NC).

R1b1b2a1a1 [ditto] — My mother’s brother’s haplogroup. Furthest known ancestor: John C. Allen Sr. (1876-1953, Charles City County VA), my great-grandfather. [Update, 7/22/2015: FTDNA classifies my uncle’s haplogroup as R-M269.]