The Hanks Surname Y-DNA Project (FTDNA) was created in 2002 to indentify the lines of present day Hanks, Hancks and variants and, together with genealogy research, determine how they are related to one another. Since then there have been exciting but unexpected results with the emergence of two genetically unrelated Y-DNA groups. Although pedigrees submitted by many of the Y-DNA participants of both these groups show them to be patrilineal descendants of sons of William Hanks I and his wife Sarah, Y-DNA analysis of Group-1 and Group-2 indicates a possible non-paternal event occurred with the birth of Sarah’s first son after her marriage to William Hanks I (c1650 – c1704). Note: Although it has been widely accepted, there is no source evidence documenting Sarah’s surname to be Woodbridge. Also, this may not have been Sarah’s first marriage. From the research of Nancy C. Royce: On 1 Oct 1690 William and Sarah Hanks to Alex Campbell, natural son of sd. Sarah to abide with Sarah and William and Sarah to provide him with sufficient clothing. (Please refer to Nancy’s Reports on the RESEARCH page.)
Below are the three known sons born after Sarah’s marriage to William Hanks I:
Group-1: Luke Hanks (born prior to 1685) married Elizabeth
Group-1: John Hanks (born between 1687 and 1694 – c1740) married Catherine (Abraham Lincoln’s ancestral line!)
Group-2: William Hanks II (c1679 – c1732) married Hester Mills (descendants of this son carry different Y-DNA haplotype)
(Group-1 also includes descendants of Peter Hanks. Research being done to determine the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) for Group-1 participants.)
Abbreviated paper trails of pedigrees submitted by participants of Group-1 and Group-2 are listed below with recommended pedigree corrections immediately following. This is a work in progress with more detailed pedigree information to be added as research is completed.
Group-1 (This group includes Abraham Lincoln’s ancestral Hanks family)
Kit 25308
Abner Hanks (1763-1846) m Elizabeth Goodwin
Sydnor Hanks (1812-1877) m Elizabeth Robern Skidmore
John William Hanks (1856-1933) m Amanda A. Craven
Silvia Newton Hanks (1885-1974) m Minnie Mullis
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
John Hanks/Catherine
John Hanks/Susannah
Abner Hanks/Elizabeth Goodwin
Sydnor Hanks/ Elizabeth Robern Skidmore
John William Hanks/Amanda A. Craven
Silvia Newton Hanks/Minnie Mullis
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 44519
William Hanks (1650-1704) m 1678 Sarah Woodbridge b 1670
John Hanks (1690-1740) m Catharine (17??-1782)
John Hanks (1728-1810) m 1762 Susannah b 1730
Abner Hanks (1763-1846) m 1788 Mary Dale (1765-1805)
John Dale Hanks (1802-1874) m 1821 Frances McAndrew (1787-1861)
John Hanks (1827-1878) m 1854 Martha Waggener (1834-1920)
John Hanks (1868-1944) m Blanche Bonebrake
Donald Hanks
Grandfather of DNA Participant
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/ Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
John Hanks/Catherine
John Hanks/Susannah
Abner Hanks/Mary Dale
John Dale Hanks/Frances McAndrew
John Hanks/Martha Waggener
John Hanks/Blanche Bonebrake
Donald Hanks
Grandfather of DNA Participant
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 309311
Thomas Hancks c1630-c1674 b Malmesbury, England d VA
William Hanks 1655-1704 b North Farnham Parish, Richmond Co., VA d VA m Sarah Woodbridge
John Hanks 1690-1740 b NFP, Richmond Co., VA d VA m Catherine
Joseph Hanks 1725-1793 b NFP, Richmond Co., VA d VA m Ann Lee
Thomas Hanks 1759-1834 B NFP, Richmond Co., VA d VA m Elizabeth Ryan
Absalom Hanks 1800-1872 b OH d Clark Co., OH m Harriett Climer
Joseph Climer Hanks 1833-1869 b Ross Co., OH d McLean Co., IL m Sarah Elizabeth Matheny
Robert Lee Hanks 1861-1922 b McLean Co., IL d Cowley Co., KS m Sarah Ann Cline
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
John Hanks/Catherine
Joseph Hanks/Ann Lee
Thomas Hanks/ Elizabeth Ryan
Absalom Hanks/Harriett Climer
Joseph Climer Hanks/Sarah Elizabeth Matheny
Robert Lee Hanks/Sarah Ann Cline
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 305356
Thomas Hanks c1630-c1675
William Hanks c1650-c1724 m Sarah
Luke Hanks c1679-c1757
Luke Hanks c1710 m Elizabeth
Joseph Hanks c1730-c1793 m Nancy Shipley
Thomas Hanks b c1773 m Elizabeth bc1765
Peter Hanks bc1790
Joseph Hanks 1829-1905 m Mary Elba Moore
Calvin Louis Hanks b 1856 DeGraff, Logan Co., OH d 1937 Putnam, OK
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
John Hanks/Catherine
Joseph Hanks/Ann Lee
Thomas Hanks/Elizabeth Ryan
Peter Hanks/Rachel Hayes (Hase?)
Joseph Hanks/Mary Elba Moore
Calvin Lewis Hanks/Lomanda B. Cooper
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 36815
Thomas Hanks b 1 Mar 1796 (from old family Bible)
Joseph Hanks
Silas Oliver Hanks 1854-1929 m Anna Frances Grozinger
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
John Hanks/Catherine
Joseph Hanks/Ann Lee
Thomas Hanks/Elizabeth Ryan
Peter Hanks/Rachel Hayes (Hase?)
Joseph Hanks/Mary Elba Moore
Silas Oliver Hanks/Anna Frances Grozinger
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 449892
Joseph Hanks (1725-1793) m Ann “Nanny” Lee (1728-1808)
William Hanks (1764-1851) m Elizabeth Hall (1766-1844)
James Hanks (1795-1856) m Rebecca Atherton (1802-1888)
William Benjamin Hanks (1834-1892) m Adaline Weigle
Samuel J.Hanks (1864-1950) m Martha B. “Mattie” Greenfield
Harold J. Hanks (1900-1976) m Oka M. Houser
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
John Hanks/Catherine
Joseph Hanks/Ann Lee
William Hanks/Elizabeth Hall
James Hanks/Rebecca Atherton
William Benjamin Hanks/Adaline Weigle
Samuel J. Hanks/Martha B. “Mattie” Greenfield
Harold J. Hanks/ Oka M. Houser
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 21548
Joseph Hanks (1725-1793) m Ann Lee (of Nelson Co., KY)
William Hanks, Sr. (1765-1851) m Elizabeth Hall (uncle of Dennis Friend Hanks)
William Hanks, Jr. (1796-1846) m Mary Quinn (brother of John “the rail splitter” Hanks)
Joshua B. Hanks (1827-1864) m Julia Ann Stanfield
Joshua Emerson Hanks (1851-1926) m Mary Elizabeth Patterson
Roy Emerson Hanks (1983-1967) m Sarah Elizabeth White
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
John Hanks/Catherine
Joseph Hanks/Ann Lee
William Hanks/Elizabeth Hall
William Hanks, Jr./Mary Quinn
Joshua B. Hanks/Julia Ann Stanfield
Joshua Emerson Hanks/Mary Elizabeth Patterson
Roy Emerson Hanks/Sarah Elizabeth White
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 178371
Thomas Hanks b bef 1630*
William Hanks b c1650*
Luke Hanks b 1685*
Abraham Hanks b 1759 m Sarah Harper
Fielding Hanks b 1784 m Lydia Harper
George S. Hanks b 1817 m Jamima Wireman
Jacob Hanks b 1849 m Florence Cook
William Austin Hanks b 1884 m Anna Klaas
Grandfather of DNA Participant
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
* Hanks Family of Virgina & Westward; Adin Baber, 1965
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth Dale
Abraham Hanks/Jemima Million
Abraham Hanks/Sarah Harper
Fielding Hanks/Lydia Harper
George S. Hanks/Jamima Wireman
Jacob Hanks/Florence Cook
William Austin Hanks/Anna Klaas
Grandfather of DNA Participant
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 3373
Thomas Hanks bc1600
William Hanks b 1657
Luke Hanks b 1686
Abraham Hanks b 1759 m Sarah Harper
Fielding Hanks b 1784 m Lydia Harper
Cuthbert Million Hanks b 1814 m Millie Ann Garrett
Thomas Boone Hanks b 1854 m Mahalia Tyler
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth Dale
Abraham Hanks/Jemima Million
Abraham Hanks/Sarah Harper
Fielding Hanks/Lydia Harper
Cuthbert Million Hanks/Millie Ann Garrett
Thomas Boone Hanks/Mahalia Tyler
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 21402
Luke Hanks bc1715? d 1789 Anderson Co., SC m Ann (unknown) d 1838
George Hanks bc1780
Matthew Elbert Hanks b 1826
Elimus Tobias Hanks b 1867
Aubrey E. Hanks b 1896
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth Dale
Luke Hanks/Ann Harris/Harrison
George Hanks
Matthew Elbert Hanks
Elimus Tobias Hanks
Aubrey E. Hanks
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 299438
William Hanks m Sarah Woodbridge
Luke Hanks m Elizabeth Glascock/Glasscock
Moses Hanks m Aggatha Dodson
Elijah Hanks m Mary Woolverton
Thomas Hanks m Nancy Goad
Elijah Newton Hanks m Mary Jane Clapp
Franklin “Frank” Hanks m Beulah Cook
Father of DNA Participant (Unknown Hanks)
DNA Participant (Adopted at birth in Hutchinson, Kansas. Biological father was in Hutchinson, KS or Wichita, KS late 1947 or 1948)
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth
Luke Hanks/Elizabeth Dale
Moses Hanks/Agatha Dodson
Elijah Hanks/Mary Woolverton
Thomas Hanks/Nancy Goad
Elijah Newton Hanks/Mary Jane Clapp
Franklin “Frank” Hanks/Beulah Cook
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 897909 Pending
Kit 20264
Thomas Hanks (or Hancks) b c1630 d Gloucester Co., VA
Peter Hanks Sr. b unknown m 1702 Mary Beez Ann Arundale Parish, MD
William Hanks (Peter Hanks II) b 1707 d 1770 Loudoun Co., VA m Ruth Ryan
Peter Hanks III b c1737 MD d 1830 Gibson Co., IN m Elizabeth Wyatt
Peter Hanks IV b c1765 d 1811
Wyatt Hanks, Sr. b 1794 TX m Hannah Gates Mabbitt
Wyatt Hanks II b 1835 d 1863 m Laura Amanda Mabbitt
Additional generations withheld
Peter Hanks/Mary Beez
William Hanks/Ruth Shipley or Ruth Ryan
Peter Hanks/Elizabeth Wyatt
Peter Hanks IV
Wyatt Hanks, Sr./Hannah Gates Mabbitt
Wyatt Hanks II/Laura Amanda Mabbitt
Additional generations withheld
Kit 91151
Peter Hanks (c1673-1733) m Mary Beez
William Hanks (1707-1770 m Ruth Shipley or Ruth Ryan
Peter Hanks (1737-1830) m Elizabeth Wyatt
Rev. William Hanks (1770-1825) m Mary “Polly” Stewart
James Stewart Hanks (1806-1882) m Rose Hannah McMullen
James W. Hanks (1834-1870) m Marium Hughes
John Stewart Hanks (1865-1940) m Anna Belle Brown
Alvin Roscoe “Ross” Hanks (1892-1968) m Medreth Elberta Vaughan
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Peter Hanks/Mary Beez
William Hanks/Ruth Shipley or Ruth Ryan
Peter Hanks/Elizabeth Wyatt
Rev. William Hanks/Mary “Polly” Stewart
James Stewart Hanks/Rose Hannah McMullen
James W. Hanks/Marium Hughes
John Stewart Hanks/Anna Belle Brown
Alvin Roscoe “Ross” Hanks/Medreth Elberta Vaughan
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 11707
Peter Hanks (c1673-1733) m Mary Beez
William Hanks (1707-1770) m Ruth Shipley or Ruth Ryan
Peter Hanks (1737-1830) m Elizabeth Wyatt
Rev. William Hanks (1770-1825) m Mary “Polly” Stewart
Nicholas Anderson Hanks (1799-1880) m2 Kasinda Anderson
Austin Hanks (1856-1887) m Mary Louisa Combs
Alvin Lewis Hanks (1880-1960) m Della May Wilkinson
Masel Roy Hanks (1901- 1982
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Peter Hanks/Mary Beez
William Hanks/Ruth Shipley or Ruth Ryan
Peter Hanks/Elizabeth Wyatt
Rev. William Hanks/Mary “Polly” Stewart
Nicholas Anderson Hanks/ m2 Kasinda Anderson
Austin Hanks/Mary Louisa Combs
Alvin Lewis Hanks/Della May Wilkinson
Masel Roy Hanks
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 109066
Peter Hanks (1737-1830) m Elizabeth Wyatt
William Hanks (1770-1825) m Mary “Polly” Stewart
Nicholas Hanks (1799-1880) m2 Kasinda Anderson
Austin Hanks (1856-1887) m Mary Louisa Combs
Dolpha Hanks (1882-1950) m Etna Ritter
Leo Hanks (1905-1983)
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Peter Hanks/ Mary Beez
William Hanks/Ruth Shipley or Ruth Ryan
Peter Hanks/Elizabeth Wyatt
Rev. William Hanks/Mary “Polly” Stewart
Nicholas Anderson Hanks/ m2 Kasinda Anderson
Austin Hanks/Mary Louisa Combs
Dolpha Hanks/Etna Ritter
Leo Hanks
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 21860
James Hanks (unproven) b 1791-1800 d bef 1850 MS (James Hanks in 1840 census of Tishomingo Co., MS with correct count for sons who appear in 1850 census)
Wiley B. Terry Hanks bc1840 TN d 1864 m 1859 Tippah Co., MS, Mary Ann Robbins
Henry H. Hanks b 1860 Tippah Co., MS d bet 1910-1920 Lafayette Co., MS; m1 Winnie Jane Singleton
John Curtis Hanks b 1882 Lafayette Co., MS d 1954 Marlow, Stephens, OK m c1904 Rebecca Ruby “Bessie” Shadle
Lewis Estell “Bill” Hanks b 1913 TX d 1953 OK m Mary Alice Johnson
DNA Participant
Kit 399634
John (Wesley?) Hanks b 1830 TN m Martha Hanson/Hinson, lived in Tishomingo Co., MS (1850 & 1860 US Census), by 1870 census in Tipton Co., TN. John is believed to be brother of Wiley B. Terry Hanks, ancestor of DNA participant 21860.
William Henry Hanks b 1868 TN d 1941 Tipton Co., TN m Delsemia Delashmit
Eddie Lee Hanks (1899-1974) Tipton Co., TN
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Group-2 (Group-2 participants are not related to Group-1 in a genealogical time frame. Research is being done to determine the earliest known yDNA ancestor of this group.)
Kit 13519
William Hanks I
Luke Hanks
James Hanks 1736-?
Thomas Hanks 1766-?
James Hanks 1811-?
Jerard Hanks 1845-1930
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
William Hanks II/Hester Mills
James Hancks/Nancy
Thomas Hanks/Nancy Brooks
James Pendleton Hanks
Jerard Hanks
Kit 210593
William Hancks I (1655-1704) m Sarah Woodbridge
William Hancks II (1679-1732) m Hester Mills
James Hancks, Sr. (1732-c1801) m Nancy (surname undocumented)
Thomas Hancks, Sr. (1766-1856) m Nancy Brooks
Thomas Hancks, Jr. (1803-1874) m Catherine Wells
Achabod Hancks (1840-1920) m Elizabeth Parmelia Harris
Thomas Franklin Hancks (1879-1969) m Maud Devere Evans
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
William Hanks II/Hester Mills
James Hancks/Nancy
Thomas Hancks/Nancy Brooks
Thomas Hancks, Jr./Catherine Wells
Archabod Hancks/Elizabeth Parmelia Harris
Thomas Franklin Hancks/Maud Devere Evans
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 215921
William Hancks I 1655-1704 m Sarah Woodbridge
William Hancks II 1679-1732 Hester Mills
James Hancks, Sr. 1732-abt 1801 m Nancy (unproven surname believed to be Hamlin)
Thomas Hancks, Sr. 1766-1856 m Nancy Brooks
William Hanks 1800-1869 mFrances L. Hodges
Parham Walter Hanks 1842-1904 m1 Mary J. Merricks m2 Mary Depew
James Monroe Hanks 1884-1955 m Sudia Mae Walker
Name Withheld
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
William Hanks II/Hester Mills
James Hancks/Nancy
Thomas Hanks/Nancy Brooks
William Hanks/Frances L. Hodges
Parham Walter Hanks/ m1 Mary J. Merricks m2 Mary Depew
James Monroe Hanks/Sudia Mae Walker
Name Withheld
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 11709
Thomas Hanks 1620-1674
William Hanks I 1650-1704
William Hanks II 1678-1733
John Hanks 1714-1790
Epiphroditus Hanks b 1746/47 VA d 1848 Sumpter Co., SC m unknown
William Hanks III b c1770 Dobbs Co., NC d 1833 Shelby Co, TX m Sophie Reams
William Hanks IV b 1816 SC d 1872 Boone Co., AR m1 Emily Miller m2 Martha Fredricks
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
William Hanks II/Hester Mills
John Hanks/Mary Mott
Epa Hanks
William Hanks III/Sophie Reams
William Hanks IV/ m1 Emily Miller m2 Martha Fredricks
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 26536
John Hanks b c1745 VA d 1811 Christian Co., KY m Mary Dawson, Richmond Co., VA
Joshua Hanks b 1787 NC d 1853 Hopkins Co., KY m Easter Gatlin
Williamson C. Hanks b 1820 KY d c 1870/5 m Martha Ann Almon
William Ephraim Hanks b 1844 Hopkins Co., KY d 1908 KY m Mary F. Stokes
Edward Ephraim Hanks b 1879 d 1942 m Ollie E. Davis
Harry Verine Hanks b 1905 Nortonville, KY d 1928
Name Withheld
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Early lineage SPECULATIVE as follows:
Thomas Hancks IV b 1632 Stow on the Wold England
Thomas Hanks b c1625/30 Gloucester Co., VA d aft 1674 m Elizabeth
William Hanks b 1655 Richmond, VA d 1704 Richmond, VA m Sarah Woodbridge
William Hanks II b 1679 Richmond Co., VA d 1732/3 Richmond Co., VA m Hester C. White Mills
John Hanks b 1714 Richmond, VA d aft 1790 NC m Mary Mott, Lancaster Co., VA
William Hanks/Sarah (Woodbridge? Campbell?)
William Hanks II/Hester Mills
John Hanks/Mary Mott
John Hanks/Mary Dawson
Joshua Hanks/Easter Gatlin
Williamson C.Hanks/Martha Ann Almon
William Ephraim Hanks/Mary F. Stokes
Edward Ephraim Hanks/Ollie E. Davis
Harry Verine Hanks/
Name Withheld
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Additional research is continuing for the following Group-2 lineages:
Kit 20266
Lemuel Reams Hanks b SC (believed to be son of either Elijah or Esphroditus)
Charles Barfield Hanks of Liberty, MS
Lawrence Lucas Hanks b Liberty, MS
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 297434
Joshua Hanks 1763-1840 m Ruth Bryant
Thomas Hanks 1797-aft1840? m Jane Moore
Canoy Hanks 1830-aft1898 m Martha Wilkinson
Gilbert E. Hanks 1882-1961 m Grace Warden
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 25802
Unknown male & Josephine Lyons (unmarried) b c1850 (Josephine m Stephen Bell in 1878 and children took Bell surname)
Thomas Melvin (Lyons) Bell b 1868 Carroll Co., VA d 1917 Bonne Terre, MO m Stella Jane Thomas
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Note: In 1870 Carroll County census, there were 6 Hanks families living at Fancy Gap, VA atop a mountain above Lambsburg. Several of these Hanks families had teenage sons, about Josephine’s age. It appears all 6 of these families trace back to a Joshua Hanks and Ruth Bryant
Kit 12132
Richard Hanks, Sr. b 1759 Dinwiddie Co., VA
James Hanks b 1779 m Mary Starett
William (Billy) Hanks m Sarah Lyon
Dr. Hugh Hanks b 1832 m Martha Sturgill
Name Withheld
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit 13647
William Hanks I b c1650 d 1704 Richmond Co., VA m Sarah Woodbridge
William Hanks II b 1679 Richmond Co., VA d 1733 Richmond Co., VA m Hester C. Mills
Richard Hanks, Sr. b 1723 Richmond Co., VA d c1788 NC m Mary Hinds
Richard Hanks, Jr. b c1762 Amelia Co., VA d 1853 Lincoln Co., NC m Phoebe Hayes
Joshua Hanks b 1789 NC d 1874 Scott Co., IL m Amelia Rape
Hardin “Dick” Hanks (AKA known as Richard) b 1842 Greene Co., IL d 1930
Name Withheld
Name Withheld
Kit 362025
Joshua Hanks 1760-1854 m 1782/4 Ruth Bryant 1764-1840
Thomas Hanks 1797-1840 m 1819 Jane (Jennie) Moore 1799-1852
Thompson Hanks 1835-1895 m 1855 Caroline (Lucy) Roberts 1838-1930
Edward William Hanks 1864-1957 m 1889 Jennie Rae Harman 1867-1962
Father of DNA Participant
DNA Participant
Kit N71686 Unavailable
Kit 35412 Unavailable
Kit 162874 Unavailable
