I am Big Y 700 tested and share the same Y-DNA genetic markers as all Y-DNA tested males who descend from the Clan MacRae of Kintail, Ross-shire, western Highlands of Scotland. This clan has a well-documented genealogy which is traced back to Maurice of Clunes MacRath born ca. 1280 who arrived in Scotland from Ireland.. Y-DNA haplogroup R-FGC17603 is attributed to Christopher MacGillechriosd MacRae IV, Constable of Ellendonan Castle. A non-parental event led to my direct paternal ancestor's to carry the surname Stewart. Our unique Y-DNA haplogroup is R-BY39168 which falls directly beneath FGC-17603 on the Y Block Tree. My paternal ancestors emigrated from the British Isles to the American Colonies throughout the 17th century. Many migrated to become the original settlers of western North Carolina, northern Georgia, northern South Carolina and eastern Tennessee.

My MtDNA haplogroup is H41a. My maternal ancestors are traced to West Prussia with earliest known ancestor born in 1615. This area is now located in modern day Pomerania, Poland. My maternal grandparents and great-grandparents left West Prussia for Germany in 1920. My German-born mother came to the United States two years after the conclusion of World War II.