The McGrew Family DNA Project was begun in February, 2006.  In the first year of existence we have learned that the northern branch of the family descended from Robert McGrew is genetically related to the southern branch descended from James A. McGrew.  These branches may also be related to the line of Thomas McGrew (see Family Patriarchs page).  We have also learned that our Scots-Irish ancestors who left from Scotland in the early 1600's and settled in the near Omagh in the Ulster Plantations of Ireland were originally Irish.  They may have moved to Scotland from Ireland sometime between 500-1000 AD.

 

Also many McGrew's are descended from an Alexander McGrew/MacGruar whose line is quite distinct from the Omagh McGrew's.  Alexander's descendants spred through the southern United States in the early 1800's and then into Texas.  Recently DNA testing has shown that this line has origins in the Pretani tribes of Scotland several thousand years ago.

 

Two additional genetically distinct McGrew lines have been found.  Two known descendants of Andrew McGrew/Megrue have matched 37/37 and are Haplogroup R1a which is Norse Viking in origin.  Also a descendant of Patrick McGrew (Preston Co., WV) tested, and his results suggest a Northwest Irish origin like Robert's and Thomas' lines.  However these three lines are sufficiently different that they are certainly not related over the past 400 years.

 

More specific information is available on the DNA Project 2009, 2007-8, and 2006 Report pages on this site and at the Project webpage, www.familytreedna.com/public/mcgrew