Hello,
This challenge is called, "So Who Are We - Really?

Several years ao, my brother, James Daniel Grant and Cuthbert Grant descendant, James Grant, from the U.S. did Y-DNA tests to determine if there was a link between the two. The results show there is no connection between the families. Since then, a number of other Grants have tested positive matches with my brother's results, which were deemed to be the same line as the Chiefs of Grant. Since then, the Chief, Sir James Grant of Grant has named my brother's line The MacRobbie Grants of Trois-Rivieres, and further testing has resulted in specific 'MacRobbie markers' being identified. This means that an individual can be tested, at far less expense, for just these markers. Also, work is currently underway to determine where, exactly, on the Chiefly line, the MacRobbies appeared.

The Cuthbert Grants are not blood related at all to the Chiefs of Grant. However, in recognition of the Cuthbert Grants' Scottish origin, and their contribution to Canadian history, the same Chief, Sir James Grant of Grant, has made this line an officially recognized sept of Clan Grant. However, in the years since Cuthbert descendant, James Grant, originally did his Y-DNA test, there have been zero other Cuthbert Grant descendants who have completed the tests. Technically, this means there are no matches to those results, hence zero genetic proof positive confirmation that James Grant is a Cuthbert Grant descendant.

While the genealogy of the Cuthbert Grants of the Canadian fur trade seems to be at least reasonably well recognized, there are a lot of unanswered questions about their lineage predating their arrival in Canada. Their Scottish history, is very incomplete. There are only a few known generation prior to their arrival in Canada. Many of Cuthbert Grant descendants are in Manitoba, but there are now many in other parts of the country and in the U.S. And probably the United Kingdom, but I haven't heard of any.

I recently had a conversation with a gent very knowledgeable about the histories of the Scottish clans, particularly the Grants. Our discussion, specifically, was about the origin of the surname Cuthbert and its use as a given name amongst the Grants. What he said was that it was an English surname, fairly recently (genetically speaking) introduced to Scotland, and the use of it as a Grant given name is indicative of that family's relation with with families with the surname Cuthbert. That seems obvious enough, but it begs the question, "If we are as interested as we say we are in uncovering the Cuthbert Grant historical facts and preserving and promoting the Canadian Cuthbert Grant history, why aren't we doing the obvious and using both Y-DNA to identify which Grant clan it belongs to AND using mtDNA to connect the female DNA to their female ancestors, including, hopefully, the Cuthberts?

I have not a doubt that there's some great discoveries in them thar genes, a broader, more complete picture to be appreciated. I think we have a responsibility, even, to make those discoveries happen.

If you're a Grant and a descendant of Cuthbert Grant please consider doing the DNA test to prove it. Family Tree DNA offers a number of Y and mt DNA tests and even has sales periodically. Their site is: https://www.familytreedna.com/
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Anita Grant Steele