DNA Analysis Provides Clues to Robert Stuart's Origins
Only males have the Y chromosome, so Y-DNA analysis only looks at the direct male-line ancestry of the tester. Additionally, the Y-DNA does not change very rapidly. A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) only occurs once every few generations, allowing us to look several generations into the past to find family relationships.
Three men known to descend from Robert Stuart of Norwalk have had their Y-DNA tested at FamilyTreeDNA.com. Their results have been compared with each other, and with other Stuart/Stewart men whose DNA differs little from them. This provides us with some useful information concerning Robert's family history.
First, Robert's descendants have the SNP R-L746, an indication that Robert descends from Walter Stewart, the Third High Steward of Scotland, who died in the year 1246. Walter was the great-grandfather of Robert Stewart II, first Stewart king of Scotland, who reigned from 1371-1390.
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Second, we also have the SNP R-S781, indicating that Robert Stuart of Norwalk descends from Sir John Stewart of Bonkyll/ Garlies. Sir John Stewart commanded the archers in the Scottish wars for independence, and was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in the year 1298.
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As more testing of Stuart/Stewart men continues, we can narrow down the possible ancestors of Robert of Norwalk. Desideriu Ramelet Stuart has created a website, S781.org, to explore the DNA connections between men who descend from Sir John Stewart of Bonkyll/Garlies. The closest connections to our Robert belong to men who descend from Alexander Stewart of Ballymena, Ireland (1675-1742), and from Matthew Stewart of Ireland, died in Bealsville, Ohio, 1774-1858.
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Desideriu has made a speculative DNA tree which indicates the Robert of Norwalk probably descends from Alexander Stewart of Darnley, 1342-1404, However, this is still 300 years before Robert of Norwalk, so much work remains to narrow the gap and find Robert's parents.