Culberts and Colberts: From Ireland to Canada and Beyond

I've been studying our DNA links to other Culbert and Colbert families who left Ireland in the 1800s. 

What have I learned?

I've established that our ancestor, John Culbert (husband of Mary Ward) is related to several Culbert and Colbert families who left Ireland in the 1800s. Aside from his brother, Richard, I haven't yet discovered John Culbert's exact relationship to these families. Nonetheless, here are the families I've found, so far, who share DNA with us:

Richard Culbert & Ann Jane Harlton.
Richard Culbert, born c1813 in Ireland was John Culbert's brother. Richard purchased the property next to John in Biddulph Township near Lucan, Ontario in 1840. Later, Richard and his family moved to Lambton Township, Ontario. I've written about Richard previously in this post. 

James Culbert & Rebecca Hodgins. 
James Culbert was born c1822 in Ireland and married Rebecca Hodgins born c1827 in Tipperary. We don't know the names of James Culbert's parents. I wrote about James & Rebecca's son, Richard Culbert of Centralia, here.
Now, here's where figuring out the DNA connections gets tricky: James Culbert's wife, Rebecca Hodgins was the daughter of Sarah Colbert (related to us) and Henry Hodgins of London Township. So the descendants of James Culbert & Rebecca Hodgins are related to us on their father's side and on their mother's side.

James Culbert & Rebecca Portis.
James Culbert was born c1817 in Ireland. James Culbert and Rebecca Portis married in Modreeny, Tipperary and came to Canada around 1864. They lived in Lucan, Ontario and later moved west to British Columbia. I've written about James Culbert & Rebecca Portis previously in this post.

William Culbert & Margaret Emily Lewis.
William Culbert was born c1807 in Birr, Ireland. Birr is in County Offaly but at that time, it was known as Kings County. Kings County is where our ancestor John Culbert is believed to have been born, and it borders County Tipperary. William died before 1843, leaving Margaret a widow with four children. Margaret Emily (Lewis) Culbert and her children immigrated to Canada, settling in Clandeboye, Ontario near Lucan. Margaret remarried to Robert Hodgins, Jr. 

Rebecca Culbert & Freeman Blackwell.
Rebecca Culbert (born in Ireland about 1807) married Freeman Blackwell (born about 1791) and immigrated to Canada in the 1800s. They settled in Biddulph Township and appear to have lived in Lucan and in Ailsa Craig, Ontario.

The Culbert families of Eau Claire, Wisconsin whose ancestors are from Tipperary.

John Colbert and his descendants of Goulbourn Township and Huntley Township near Ottawa. John Colbert was from Ballingarry, Tipperary, and left Ireland as part of the Talbot Settlement group of 1818.

The Colbert families of Gatineau, Quebec. These Colberts from Ballingarry, Tipperary are related to the Colberts (above) and were members of the Talbot Settlement Group of 1818 from Ireland. Some of their descendants settled in Clarendon, Pontiac County, Quebec.

The Colbert families of London Township, Ontario. One family of London Township Colberts is said to have come over from Ireland with the Talbot Settlers in 1818. We know there was a Colbert family who settled in London Township in 1830. The patriarch of this Colbert family (first name unconfirmed) was from Cloughjordan, Tipperary. He had several children with whom we share DNA, including Rebecca Colbert (c1794-1868) who married John "Stoney" Shoebottom; Thomas Colbert (1804-1861) who married Catherine "Kitty" Mooney; and Sarah Colbert (1807-1893) who married Henry Hodgins. 

And more!

I've discovered DNA links to even more Culbert/Colbert families but I'm still trying to confirm these connections.

Your DNA made these discoveries possible. Thank you. And to the rest of you, please consider taking the Ancestry DNA test.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! 
I'd like to thank those of you who took advantage of the sale at Ancestry.ca to order your DNA test.  

You already know you're Irish but you may find other regions listed on your Ancestry DNA Ethnicity Estimate map as well. Keep in mind that the map is just an estimate and can't pinpoint exactly where your ancestors are from. Consider the map more of a toy than a tool. 

Also, we don't know for certain where the Culberts came from back in the mists of time before they migrated to Ireland. Some say they were French Huguenots; others say they were from Scotland.
 

Could the Culberts be from Scotland? Terry Culbert's ready, just in case.

For family historians like me, the best part of the DNA test isn't the Ethnicity Estimate map; it's looking at your DNA Matches. Your "matches" are other relatives who've taken the test whose DNA matches yours. That's where the treasure lies as far as my research is concerned.

I won't bore you with the ins and outs of how I do my research with your DNA results. I'll simply say that your DNA will help me fill in the blanks in our family tree. It's also possible that your DNA will help me trace other Culbert/Colbert families who are related to us, and who emigrated from Ireland or who may still be living there. And finally (fingers crossed) your DNA might help us discover the identities of our ancestors in Ireland, and find out where they lived. 

St. Patrick's Day is the last day of the sale. Every Culbert descendant who takes the test contributes to our research. Thank you. 

Now drink up, cousins!

p.s. Here's what Terry's cousin, Phil Culbert says about this photo...

“You can tell that my Cousin Terry is not a real Scotsman as a true Scotsman would not be wearing a pair of pants under his kilt. In fact, a proud Scotsman would not be wearing anything under his kilt.  Terry is, in fact, a true Irishman and as such by wearing the long pants under his kilt, he is protecting the integrity of the Culbert Shillelagh.“ 

The Gift of DNA

A big THANK YOU to three of my first cousins, once removed who recently purchased their Ancestry DNA kits! (You know who you are.)

The kits are on sale again until Christmas day. If you're thinking about purchasing a kit for someone else, please make sure first that it's something that person would like to do.

Today, I made a very interesting discovery based on my brother's DNA. If my brother hadn't taken the test, I wouldn't have made the discovery. That's because DNA is randomly passed down through the generations and a segment of DNA might show up in your sibling's DNA but not in your DNA. 

So the more Culbert descendant DNA in the fish pond, the more chances of catching a fish (so to speak.)

If you missed my post on why it's important to take the test for our family history research, click here.

Go to Ancestry.com or if you're Canadian, go to Ancestry.ca to order your kit. 

And if you've already taken the test, THANK YOU!

Siblings and DNA

3 Culbert siblings: Vicky, Ian, and Phil. Let's imagine that all three of them took the DNA test. They should all share the same DNA, right? Wrong. Read on...

Here's a question I'm often asked...

"Why should I take a DNA test? My brother (or sister) already took the test. Won't our results be identical?"

The answer is no. The DNA of your sibling may be similar to yours but it's far from identical.  

I'll give you a personal example. Both my sister and I took the Ancestry DNA test. We have a 3rd cousin (let's call her Phaedra) who also took the test. Phaedra's son also took the test. And Phaedra's granddaughter took the test too.

So that's three generations of Phaedra's family who are related to us, who took the test. 

I thought, "All three of these people are related to us in exactly the same way. So my sister should share DNA with them and I should share DNA with them too, right?"

My sister shares DNA with all three of them. Bingo! That makes perfect sense because my sister is related to all three of them. 

So far, so good. But wait...

I'm related to all three of these people too. However, I share DNA with NONE of them!

How is it possible that sibling DNA is so different? You all know that I'm not a scientist...

... so it's better if you click here for an answer. 

If you don't have time to read the whole article, scroll down to the section that asks, "Why it is good for more than one sibling to do an Ancestry DNA test?"

 

And for a more detailed explanation, click on this article, Do Siblings Have the Same DNA?"

Note: Thanks to my sister taking the DNA test, I found Phaedra (and Phaedra's son and granddaughter) and as a result, I was able to find out more details about our family history. My sister's DNA results have been a goldmine for me so far as family history research is concerned. If she hadn't taken the test, I wouldn't be making the discoveries that I've been making. And for those of you who've already taken the test? You may not realize it but your DNA results have been helping me too. Thank you.

John Culbert’s BROTHER, Richard Culbert

Our ancestors, John Culbert and his wife, Mary Ward need no introduction...

And in a previous post, we met the Richard Culbert-Ann Jane Harlton family. Richard & Ann purchased the property beside our ancestors, John Culbert & Mary Ward in Biddulph Township near Lucan, Ontario. Richard & John purchased the land at the same time: October, 1840.

We assumed that Richard & John must have been brothers since they purchased land side-by-side at the same time. However, with no documentation to prove they were brothers, for all we know Richard & John could have been cousins, or even an uncle and his nephew.

ENTER DNA TESTING.

Through Ancestry DNA testing, I’ve found a few descendants of Richard Culbert & Ann Jane Harlton who are my DNA “matches.” (DNA matches are people who’ve taken the DNA test and who are related to you by blood, whether close relations or distant relations.) Each of these matches shares various levels of DNA with me which indicate more or less how closely related we are. 

It’s more complicated than that and uses a unit of DNA measurement called centiMorgans but I’m not going to explain the science behind it at this point. I’m not a scientist nor do I play one on TV.

Now, back to these descendants of Richard Culbert & Ann Jane Harlton who took the DNA test and are my matches. Although these matches are definitely related to me (DNA proves that), their levels of DNA weren’t high enough to determine if Richard & John had been brothers or cousins.

But wait, don’t give up hope!

I’ve just found another DNA match who is a descendant of Richard Culbert & Ann Jane Harlton. His DNA levels with mine are high enough to indicate that Richard & John were probably brothers, not cousins. His DNA levels with my sister proved even more revealing; their shared DNA level was definitely high enough to indicate that Richard & John were brothers. There’s only a very slim chance I could be wrong.

So at last the mystery is solved! Thanks to my sister taking the DNA test, we have determined with a high level of accuracy and without official documents that Richard Culbert & John Culbert were brothers!

Now all we have to do is find out who Richard & John’s father was! We still don’t know the names of Richard & John Culbert’s parents nor the names of any other siblings they might have had. If and when we do find these names, it may lead to finding out much more information about the Culberts in Ireland.

Once again, I ask you to please consider taking the Ancestry DNA test. The story I’ve told you today is a prime example of how our family mysteries can be solved through the use of DNA testing.

Culbert Family Blog: A Poem by Frank McClure

Meet Frank McClure, my relative in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. 

Through DNA testing, I've discovered that Frank may be related to we Canadian Culberts. I don't know how he's related but I'm working on it. 

A reminder to everyone that if you take the Ancestry DNA test, it could help us to find our distant ancestors and to establish our connection to Frank.

Frank will appear on an upcoming episode of The Genealogy Roadshow; a TV show that helps people trace their family histories and discover surprising stories from the past.

Frank is an electrical technician who works mainly in the oil and gas industry. He's currently writing a book of poetry but he's taken time out to pen a poem just for us about the Culbert Family History blog.

THE CULBERT FAMILY BLOG
a poem by Frank McClure

The Culbert family history blog is a revelation, well, it is for me,

DNA has unearthed a link to cousin MJ, A smart lady, obviously,

Back through the mists of time, many memories yet to unfold,

Who's the Daddy? Where are we from? Many tales as yet untold.

DNA has brought us together, but, where will we find that common link?

The answer is still out there, but, we can discover it, don't you think?

To be a a part of the Culberts is a brand new experience, it is in the blood,

This blog may hold the answers, as a reference, it is so very good.

Bring the world together, draw family yet unknown, in from afar,

We are all Culberts somehow, so, let's open the door that stands ajar,

All they way from the Emerald Isle, in the year eighteen and four oh,

Across the mighty Atlantic, to Middlesex County, our heroes they did go.

All those couples keeping cool, and to Victorian costumes grand,

They added to their community, admired in their new found land,

So to nineteen forty, beneath a shady tree, a picnic photo is on display,

Those Culberts loved their kinfolk, worked hard, yet still found time to play.

So we arrive at the present day, and to Mary Jane we must give thanks,

She has discovered those old photographs, that jog our memory banks,

We are a global outfit now, from the land of the Maple Leaf, and of Ireland,

So, from me in Bonnie Scotland, to know you all, is a feeling truly grand

Who's Your Daddy?

Who's your daddy? Here's mine...

Milward Taylor "Mel" Culbert (1920-1958)

Looking for a unique Father's Day gift for the man who has everything? 

You're in luck! The Ancestry DNA test is on sale until Father's Day, Sunday, June 17th.

CALLING ALL MALE CULBERTS!

The Ancestry DNA test is an excellent tool that we all should take. However, it doesn't provide testing of the Y chromosome.

I need ONE male Culbert volunteer to take a Y-DNA test through a company called Family Tree DNA. It's on sale now, too.

I'm looking for a male Culbert volunteer whose father's last name was Culbert, and his father before him was named Culbert, and so on.


I can't take this test because I'm a woman. Discrimination? Not at all! Women don't carry the Y chromosome. It's a guy thing.

The Y chromosome is passed down almost unchanged from father to son, from one generation to the next. 

The information on the Y chromosome can help with our Culbert family history research by tracing the direct paternal line. 

I need only ONE male Culbert to take the Y-DNA test! Will you volunteer? It's pricier than the Ancestry DNA test but if you cut back on Triple Mocha Frappuccinos for a month, you can afford it. Email me if you're interested in taking the test.

Now back to the Ancestry DNA test, that all of you, male or female can take...

The more descendants of John Culbert & Mary Ward who take the Ancestry DNA test, the better! Your DNA could help us to trace our lineage; to help us locate the names of John Culbert's ancestors in Ireland, which villages they lived in, and possibly determine if they came from another country before they lived in Ireland. 

Please consider giving your Dad the gift that could help us break down the brick wall that separates us from finding our ancestors. 

I'm slowly making progress with my DNA findings but I still need your assistance. You can help (if you're a man or a woman) by taking the Ancestry DNA test. And I need only one volunteer male to take the Family Tree Y-DNA test. I'd like to solve the mystery of our ancestors before I die. (Not that I'm planning on leaving anytime soon but I don't know anyone who's going to take over this research when I'm gone. So let's try to find the answers in my lifetime.)

In my next post, you'll read about a happy discovery I made through DNA testing.

Until then, get tested, everybody!

Another DNA Sale!

Still kicking yourself for missing the last Ancestry DNA sale? You're in luck...there's a Mother's Day special from now until May 8th!

Canadians can go to Ancestry.ca to order a DNA test. I'm assuming the sale is also available to Americans at Ancestry.com but you'll have to check.

Join those of us who have already taken the test and received our results. The more Culbert descendants who take the test, the better!

If you missed my post about the benefits of DNA testing, click here. 

Note: If you're considering giving a DNA test kit as a gift to your mother or another relative, you might want to consult with them first to make sure they haven't already ordered a kit. 

DNA Day Discounts!

To celebrate DNA Day on Wednesday, April 25th, why not take the Ancestry DNA test?

My cousin, Phil Culbert and I have taken the test through Ancestry.ca and our DNA is being processed in a lab, at this moment.

Ancestry.ca (for Canadians) is offering major discounts on DNA kits from now until April 30th. So now is a great time to purchase your kit. Ancestry.com (for Americans) is also having a sale.

U.S.A. residents, check Ancestry.com for different price and dates.

Why should you take the Ancestry DNA test?

1. Wondering where your ancestors came from? The test provides an “ethnicity estimate” which breaks down your ethnic mix into percentages by each world region. 

While discovering your ethnicity estimate is fun, in my opinion there's a more important reason to take the test...

2. You'll be matched to other relatives from all over the world (who you didn't even know you have) who've also taken the test and share your DNA. These people are your genetic "matches." It's possible they can help us trace our lineage.

Reason #2 is especially important for we, the descendants of John Culbert and Mary Ward. We've reached a "brick wall" in trying to trace our ancestors back further than John & Mary.

My hope is that by taking the test, Phil and I will be able to find "matches" who know more about our Irish roots than we do. Even if they don't know more than we do, by examining shared information with our matches, we may be able to make progress in tracing our lineage. We still don't know exactly where our Irish ancestors lived or their names. It's possible DNA testing can help break down that wall.

Why haven't I found our ancestors yet?

Many documents were destroyed in a fire at the Public Records Office in Dublin. While it's not impossible to find records of our family history, Irish genealogy is very challenging. By taking the Ancestry DNA test, you may further our chances of tracing our Irish ancestors.

How do you take the test?

It's easy! Click on these instructions to see how simple it is to take the DNA test. 

The only hard part is waiting the 6-8 weeks for your results!

Please consider taking the Ancestry DNA test. If you have questions, call Ancestry's toll-free number:
1 (800) 958-9073