As we continue exploring my husband Bill’s Big-Y DNA results from FamilyTreeDNA, we've been fascinated by the possible migration path his ancestors took.

This map traces a journey spanning many thousands of years, beginning in Africa and ending in central Ireland, where Bill’s paternal line ultimately settled. The red circle indicates where his haplogroup branched off about 6500 years ago.

The years we've spent tracing the most recent five generations is tiny in comparison to the vast stretch of history behind them. It's humbling to reflect on the ancestors who made that incredible journey.

Somewhere along the way—many generations ago--the family surname shifted from Gilliam to Hickey.