The Test Results The Y-DNA haplogroup for the male Yorks descended from Thomas_A York is apparently R1b1b2a1a2f (per 23andMe). On Family Tree DNA's site the haplogroup is labeled R1b1b2a1b5. I say "apparently" because the results are based on test for only one person. Hopefully, over time more descendents will be tested, to confirm that result.
What does it mean? According to Wikipedia, "Haplogroup R1b is the most frequently occurring Y-chromosome haplogroup in Western Europe, parts of central Eurasia (for example Bashkortostan), and in parts of sub-Saharan Central Africa (for example around Chad and Cameroon). R1b is also present at lower frequencies throughout Eastern Europe, Western Asia, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia and North Africa. Due to European emigration it also reaches high frequencies in the Americas and Australia.
"While Western Europe is dominated by the R1b1a2 (R-M269) branch of R1b, the Chadic-speaking area in Africa is dominated by the branch known as R1b1c (R-V88). These represent two very successful "twigs" on a much bigger "family tree."
According to this article, our branch, R1b1b, is less common. As the branch is further defined, the possible matches become less frequent. For example, as of 14 May 2012, the York project on Family Tree DNA includes 19 people with a haplogroup beginning with R1b1a, but not a single one beginning with R1b1b.
23andMe describes the haplogroup a little differently: "R1b1b2 is the most common haplogroup in western Europe, where its branches are clustered in various national populations. R1b1b2a1a2b is characteristic of the Basque, while R1b1b2a1a2f2 reaches its peak in Ireland and R1b1b2a1a1 is most commonly found on the fringes of the North Sea."
Another source with a more extensive discussion is Charles Kerchnerís YDNA Haplogroup Descriptions & Information Links.
How does DNA help our family history? There are several York family groups related to Long Buckby. The paper trail is not sufficient to indicate whether they are all related. For the DNA information to be of any assistance, we need to find other Yorks with a history of connection with Long Buckby. Those with a haplogroup different from ours can probably be ruled out as relatives. Those with a same or similar haplogroup are probably related.
© 2012 Shirley York Anderson