The goals of this project are fluid in nature as we all learn how DNA information can help solve genealogical brick walls for the Casey surname. Goals could be adjusted dynamically as the project grows and is unfortunately primarily driven by random submissions of interested Casey researchers. The admin of this project can primarily provide only labor for analysis and advice for additional testing. If donations are made to the general fund, the objectives listed below will be primary focus of usage of these funds. Without well-defined objectives, any project will have a difficult task of achieving goals since there are no goals to strive for. These scope of these goals will probably not be expanded unless others volunteer to assist with any expanded scope of this project. Here are the primary objectives of the Casey DNA Project:

1) This project is primarily a Y-DNA based study. Primary testing will be Y-DNA tests from Family Tree DNA due this company offering the widest and most comprehensive testing available. FTDNA also has the largest number of submissions to analyze with compatible markers to be analyzed. Y-SNP testing (deep ancestry) will also be used to supplement Y-STR testing. In depth analysis will be provided primarily for 37 marker or higher submissions as any less data can be misleading. Lower resolution testing will be analyzed to some degree but the primary focus will be 37 marker and higher resolution testing. Although it is highly recommended that all participants use Family Tree DNA for any testing, submissions from other testing companies will be analyzed as well. Analysis of mtDNA tests will not be provided due to the limited payback and narrow scope of these tests. With the recent introduction of Family Finder, I will attempt to provide limited assistance for these tests but do not encourage this kind of testing due to the limited of number of generations that this test addresses.

2) This web site is limited primarily to DNA analysis. However, traditional documentation is critical in any analysis of DNA evidence. This analysis will primarily depend on the accuracy of family history that is submitted for analysis. It is extremely out of scope to expect any analysis of traditional documentation as any individual can not possibly be the expert on all the Casey lines that exist today. If DNA evidence does not support traditional documentation, analysis will provide alternative connections based on DNA evidence. If DNA evidence reveals inaccurate traditional documentation, the admin will modify traditional research to conform with DNA evidence. DNA Surname forum web sites are excellent vehicles to discuss traditional research issues that are not directly tied to DNA evidence. If volunteers for admins and moderators step forward, I would assist is creating a second web site that would address a comprehensive consolidation of traditional Casey research. Forums also add an interactive dialog that queries can provide and greatly increase interest in the project.

3) This project has no limitation on any geographical coverage and will encourage participation of Casey donors outside of the United States. This project currently has a strong bias towards Casey donors that currently reside in the United States. From a statistical point of view, any bias reduces the accuracy of any analysis, therefore, this project will always encourage and promote submissions from around the world. Due to obvious origins of the Casey surname, highest priority will be given to directed to donors that currently reside in Ireland today. Without substantial donations, this project has no real leverage in satisfying this objective.

4) Most surnames have many spelling variations. The Casey surname does not have many surname variations that have survived to present day. The 1990 census of the United States lists over 80,000 surnames. The Casey surname variations are not very common and include (in order of most common to least common): Kazee, Kasey, Cayce, Cacy, Cassey and Kasee. Any of these spelling variations will be included in any analysis (no surname variations submissions have been found to date). There is also the possibility of similar names could have been interchanged with the Casey surname (such as Case, Caskey and Cassidy). These will also be analyzed if evidence suggests that these could be genetically Casey based on DNA evidence.

5) Non Paternity Events reveal where the surname and the DNA do not track due to adoptions, out-of-wedlock births or outright changes of surnames. DNA analysis is very useful for these scenarios in breaking through brick walls. The South Carolina cluster has revealed one NPE line – the Hanvey line. This Hanvey line has a very unique Casey DNA fingerprint as well as genealogical ties to Casey's in South Carolina. This is a fascinating twist available in DNA analysis and I will attempt to analyze these NPE events when found. Other non-Casey submissions have joined the Casey DNA Surname Project at the FTDNA website. These submissions need to be investigated further to understand why these individuals joined the Casey DNA study (known Casey NPEs or similar DNA). Having similar DNA with a limited number of markers being analyzed today does not usually equate to be closely related. DNA that is similar Casey DNA with non-Casey surnames require much more than similar DNA to be connected (this project will have a very high standard for including any non-Casey surname lines as part of the Casey DNA project). If the admin determines that non-Casey members do not meet these high standards, those members could be removed from the project to limit confusion about connections to Casey surname.

6) The introduction of genetic information to genealogical research is extremely powerful and should eventually surpass the Internet, e-mail and personal computers as far as revealing more information about our Casey ancestors. I have become very fascinated with this new source of information and have become quite knowledgeable about this topic. I use very leading edge methodologies with my analysis and I am constantly learning more about this complex topic. There are bound to be some errors in my analysis based on my limited understanding of this topic. I welcome comments, corrections and additions for my analysis. It is an objective of this project to always be on the leading edge of DNA analysis. This approach will reveal more information overall – but also could introduce some errors as well. I welcome input on this analysis (even if you have no Casey research aspirations – and just want to challenge or enhance the analysis found at this web site).

7) The well established South Carolina cluster is very closely related and has the greatest interest to date (around one-third of all submissions). Since this cluster has such a unique DNA fingerprint (due to rare marker values), this cluster is an excellent match for DNA testing. There are an estimated 40 or 50 different Casey lines originating from South Carolina. These lines do not have enough traditional documentation to connect these lines with solid traditional documentation. By obtaining the right DNA submissions, it is hoped that connections can be established with the assistance of DNA information. This is my genetic line and I have a lot of traditional research to complement the DNA analysis. This cluster will probably receive more focus due to my personal knowledge of these lines and the great interest in these lines.

8) Another well established cluster of Casey DNA submissions have recent ties to the southwestern counties in Ireland (Munster). This cluster includes mostly unrelated lines (via traditional research) that are being linked together via DNA evidence. This cluster of Casey lines appears to map to the most common genetic source of the Casey surname. Around 20 % of the Casey submissions belong to this cluster. The South Carolina cluster appears to be distantly related to Munster cluster and probably shares a common male ancestor 400 to 600 years ago. Since this cluster is another excellent cluster for DNA analysis, this cluster will remain a high priority.

9) Another major grouping of DNA submissions have common Irish DNA haplogroups (R1b1a2) but are too diverse to be only one genealogical cluster. These submissions have relatively common DNA values and the DNA submissions in this grouping have similar DNA with many non-Casey submissions. This grouping will be a major challenge to analyze but includes around 30 % of all Casey submissions that are known today. This is probably the source of two or three other early septs of the Casey clan. Testing of deep ancestry (Y-SNP DNA) may help separate this grouping into multiple genealogical clusters. To everyone's surprise, none of the 37 or higher submissions are closely related - yet several appear to share a common male ancestor 500 to 600 years ago. This grouping is very large and requires analysis but is not a good match for DNA testing to date.

10) There are two other Casey clusters of that do not have Irish deep ancestry (haplogroups E1b1a and J2). These genetic clusters probably do not have Casey DNA. If possible, we need to look at other surnames with similar DNA for possible Non Paternity Event (NPE) connections. However, not all Irish people have Irish haplogroups. It only takes one immigrant from a distant land in the distant past to create a new genetic line. Some of these lines could actually be the origin of sept of the Casey clan as well. Although these clusters have very unique fingerprints for Casey lines, there will probably not be many connections made with DNA. However, if the NPE happened close to the oldest proven ancestor, this could break through a brick wall for these clusters.

11) Recent adoptions require a very different approach in both DNA testing and guidance on how to pursue connections. For those attempting to find out more about their biological parents (or grandparents), DNA has become a popular and productive means to accomplish this goal. This requires some pretty strong DNA skills and broad DNA skills which I have minimal knowledge of. I will attempt to assist with these recent connections but this analysis is currently out of scope of the current objectives of this project. If interested in helping others with this particular topic, please drop me a note. There is also interest in deep ancestry by many researchers. Although deep ancestry (Y-SNPs) can rarely solve genealogical problems, there is a very strong interest in this topic. If you can assist with these requests, drop me a note. Research of deep ancestry (haplogroups) has a very enthusiastic following and I regularly receive many ad hoc requests for Y-SNP analysis. Since Y-SNPs are becoming increasingly important for genealogists, I attempt to support these queries as time allows.