This report provides an update on the Amsler Y‑DNA Family Project, first introduced in March 2021. In Switzerland, several distinct Amsler family lines exist. A line is defined by a hometown in which Amsler families are documented before 1800.
The central research question is whether these various Amsler lines descend from a common ancestor.
This is where the Amsler Y‑DNA Family Project plays a crucial role. Genetic genealogy traces paternal lineages far beyond the reach of historical documents, offering insights into periods long before written records appear.
Since the project’s initial description four years ago, it has expanded significantly. Additional testers have joined, and more advanced analyses have been conducted. At present, the project includes 13 testers from Europe and the United States. All trace their origins to Switzerland, and seven have upgraded to the Big Y‑700 test, enabling much deeper exploration of their shared paternal heritage.
Ancient Haplogroup M-269 and subclade R-L257
Initial findings were based on a Y‑DNA37 analysis. The Amsler testers all belonged to the ancient haplogroup R‑M269, formed around 4530 BC, indicating that they share a distant common ancestor. With newer algorithms and the inclusion of autosomal DNA through the Family Finder test, the more specific subclade R‑L257 was identified. This Bronze Age haplogroup originated around 1600 BC.
Discovery of Haplogroup R-FTE57066
As a next step, one tester representing the hometowns of Bözen, Densbüren, and Schinznach was selected for an upgrade to the Big Y‑700 test. Through the analysis of a much larger set of STRs and SNPs, a previously unknown haplogroup R‑FTE57066 was discovered, with an estimated formation date around 1500 AD. All three testers share a common ancestor who lived during the late medieval period. This finding provided a partial answer to the original question concerning the relationship among three Amsler lines.
Paper‑based research indicated that the Amsler family of Buus in fact originated in Bözen. Johannes Amsler (1729–1792) married the daughter of a flour‑mill owner in Buus, acquired local citizenship in 1763, and became the progenitor of this Amsler branch.
Another study demonstrated that the Amsler lines of Bözen and Effingen are also related. In summary, the Amsler families from five hometowns share a common origin, supported by either a well‑documented paper trail, genetic‑genealogy evidence, or both.
Discovery of a new Haplogroup R-FTG89019 for the Bözen “Clan”
A detailed family tree shows that two Amsler testers from Bözen share a common ancestor: Hans Amsler (1652–1729). Big Y‑700 analysis revealed a more recent haplogroup for the Bözen and Effingen lines. Several SNP mutations were identified that are shared by testers “W” and “H.” These mutations must have occurred sometime between their earlier common ancestor, who lived around 1500, and the birth of Hans Amsler in 1652.
A third tester, “P,” living in France, traces his origins to Effingen, which historically belonged to the same parish as Bözen. He was also confirmed to belong to this new haplogroup. His ancestor Uli emigrated to Mulhouse around 1665 in the aftermath of the Thirty Years’ War.
The documented ancestry of these three participants from Bözen is further validated by matching genetic evidence.
Unexpectedly, a fourth tester in the United States—originally believed to descend from Densbüren—also belongs to the Bözen haplogroup. He is a descendant of Zacharias Amsler, born around 1630. Although the paper trail places Zacharias in Densbüren, his Y‑DNA shows a closer genetic connection to Bözen.
Zacharias Amsler (1630–1710) served as a teacher in Densbüren and is the earliest known ancestor of his branch. Either he or possibly his father, was the one who moved to Densbüren sometime between 1600 and 1650 and acquired the local citizenship. The two villages lie only 5 miles apart, roughly a two‑hour walk. Moreover, Densbüren remained under the ecclesiastical authority of the Bözen parish until 1642, which further illustrates how closely connected the two communities were.
The following chart illustrates the relationships between the Big Y‑700 testers and their respective hometowns. Continuous lines represent documented ancestry, while pointed or dashed lines indicate genetic ancestry. In blue the Y-700 testers initials and location.
Summary
All Big Y‑700 testers from Bözen, Densbüren, and Schinznach belong to a larger “Amsler Haplogroup.” Within this group, testers from Bözen and Effingen form a distinct subgroup unique to their shared origin. With additional testers from Densbüren and Schinznach, further haplogroups or subclades may be identified.
The question regarding the origins of the Amsler lines can now be answered for five hometowns. These lines descend from a common male ancestor who lived around 1500 AD. Two additional hometowns—Kaisten and Richterswil—remain unresolved.
With more Y‑DNA testers from these two “missing” hometowns, it may be possible to complete the picture of the common origin of the Swiss Amsler lines.
The recent findings are significant. Genetic testing of the patrilineal lines of the Family Project participants has revealed several novel haplogroups defined by shared SNP mutations:
- Amsler lines from five hometowns descend from a common male ancestor who lived around 1500 AD
- These lines belong to the newly discovered Haplogroup R-FTE57066, referred to as the «Amsler Haplogroup»
- A more recent sub-haplogroup R-FTG89019 was revealed for the Amsler families of Bözen and Effingen
I sincerely appreciate the dedication and generosity of the individual testers and all contributors who support this project.
